What are Public Open Space Contributions and why do they matter?
Public open space contributions are payments made to Council when land is subdivided and additional lots are created.
These contributions are paid by the subdivider of the land. Contributions are used to pay for the provision of new and/or improved public open space land and infrastructure needed by the future community that results from subdivided land. In this way, open space contributions are a form of ‘user payment’ for public infrastructure.
The public open space contributions levy is implemented by Clause 53.01 of the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme and is legislated under section 18 of the Subdivision Act 1988. Visit the Department of Transport and Planning website to view Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme Clause 53.01.
Visit the Department of Transport and Planning website for a comprehensive guide to infrastructure contributions, including public open space contributions.
The Greater Dandenong Open Space Strategy 2020-2030 sets out Council’s vision for a high quality, accessible and sustainable open space network. The collection of a fair and reasonable amount of public open space contributions is integral to Council improving the quality and quantity of public open space throughout the municipality and achieving this vision for better open space.
Do I need to make a Public Open Space Contribution?
The public open space contributions levy applies when additional lots (to an existing lot) are created. The payment is triggered when a developer applies for permission to subdivide land.
The open space contributions levy does not apply to a dual occupancy development where only one additional lot is created, provided the lot is not considered further subdividable. It also does not apply to land that is not subdivided, like a granny flat or studio to the rear of a property.
Visit the Planning Scheme Amendment C228gdan webpage for more information.
What is the cost of the Public Open Space Contribution?
Public open space contributions are calculated as a percentage of the land value being subdivided.
Visit the Department of Transport and Planning website to view Schedule to Clause 53.01 - Public Open Space Contribution and Subdivision of the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme which sets out the contribution amounts as shown in the table below.
The current amount of contribution for public open space came into operation with the approval and gazettal of Amendment C228gdan on 24 March 2023.
| Type or location of subdivision | Amount of contribution for public open space |
|---|---|
| Any subdivision of land or building intended to be used for residential or commercial purpose 20% in the area bounded by Springvale Road to the west, Cheltenham Road, Dingley Freeway Reservation, Dandenong Southern Bypass to the north, EastLink to the east and Hutton/Greens Roads to the south (except for Lot 2, PS 524033N Volume 10804 Folio 885 and Lot 1, PS 524033N Volume 10804 Folio 884). | 20% |
| Any subdivision of land or building intended to be used for residential purpose, 6.3% except where the subdivision is within the area generally bounded by Kirkham Road, Eastlink, the Dandenong Southern Bypass and in the order of 500 metres east of the Dandenong Creek (Logis Residential site).
Any subdivision of land or building intended to be used for residential purpose, within the area identified in the Schedule to Clause 72.01 as the Declared Project Area – Central Dandenong will be subject to a public open space contribution of nil until the cessation of the Infrastructure Recovery Charge under the Victorian Urban Development Act 2003, after which time the amount of contribution for public open space will be 5%. |
6.3% |
| Any subdivision of land or building intended to be used for industrial and/or commercial 2% purpose, except where the subdivision is:
- within the area generally bounded by Ordish Road, Greens Road, Eastlink, Union Road, Hammond Road and the Dandenong Bypass (Logis Industrial site); and - within an area covered by DCPO2 and DCPO3. Any subdivision of land or building intended to be used for industrial and/or commercial purpose within the area identified in the Schedule to Clause 72.01 as the Declared Project Area - Central Dandenong will be subject to a public open space contribution of nil until the cessation of the Infrastructure Recovery Charge under the Victorian Urban Development Act 2003, after which time the amount of contribution for public open space will be 2%. |
2% |
