The City of Ipswich has recently announced that, as of 1st June 2024, they will be doubling their offset payment costs.

In a small number of local governments in Australia, stormwater quality offsets provide a mechanism whereby local governments collect voluntary payments from developers in lieu of complying with legislated stormwater quality management objectives on site. These local governments are subsequently responsible for utilising these funds to implement stormwater solutions that achieve a better or equivalent outcome external to the site.

For several years, the City of Ipswich has collected and applied stormwater quality offset funds. As described in the City of Ipswich “Register of Fees and Charges – 2024-2025” report (page 107), developments approved prior to 30 June 2024 were required to pay $560 per unit of water quality area (equivalent area of bioretention). However, for developments approved on or after 1 July 2024, this rate has increased to $1,121.23.

Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple shared his thoughts on this recent change, “This rate increase is a positive change for Ipswich City Council, as it will likely see greater focus on stopping pollution “at source” – an essential part of Water Sensitive Urban Design and Total Water Cycle Management”.