We have heard from some property owners that Wilson and Murry Place laneways need sealing and require better drainage. We would like to understand the views of all property owners who have an unsealed laneway next to their property (the attached map shows the locations).

The City does not prioritise its annual capital works budget on community infrastructure upgrades where there is only a localised benefit. We do however support localised infrastructure works when there is a willingness from the local community to provide financial contributions via a Special Rate and Charge (SRC) scheme.

Special Rates and Charge Scheme

Under the Local Government Act 1989, the costs for new or upgraded infrastructure which benefits a specific group of property owners can be levied as a special charge. Laneways are not considered to provide benefit to the wider community under our Special Rates and Charges Policy and therefore do not receive a council contribution towards the cost of the works. Property owners will need to fund the full cost of works for the project to proceed.

The purpose of this letter is to engage with property owners early in the process. We are seeking your feedback to help us understand if there is enough support for the proposed upgrades to proceed under an SRC scheme in the future. We will be in contact with you again after the survey has closed to inform you of the outcome.

As a guide, we estimate the cost for the proposed upgrades to be a minimum of $15,000 per property.

If most property owners are supportive, we will include the preparation of designs and more exact cost estimates in our 2023-24 financial year development program. Once the designs are completed, we will undertake further engagement with property owners. You will have another opportunity to share feedback with us at that time.

The proposed SRC scheme would then only proceed if a majority of responding property owners supported it.

More information about Special Rate and Charge schemes is available here.

Have your say

We encourage property owners to share their views by participating in a short survey. It is important that we hear your views so that the decision reflects true community feelings.

We want to know if you:

• support the proposed laneway upgrades; and
• are willing to contribute towards an SRC scheme in the future.

Please note that this survey closes at 5pm on Monday 29 May 2023.