34 property owners in South East Queensland requested assessments this month
iSummary
How infrastructure charges affect development site values. What developers pay in infrastructure charges across Queensland councils.
Source: ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group | acres.au
Infrastructure Charges: What the Developer Pays
Infrastructure charges are fees developers pay to council when they build new dwellings. These charges directly affect what a developer can afford to pay for your site.
How They Work
When a developer builds new dwellings, they pay council for:
- Water supply infrastructure
- Sewerage infrastructure
- Stormwater management
- Transport (roads, footpaths)
- Parks and community facilities
Typical Charges per Additional Dwelling
| Council | Approx. Charge Per Dwelling |
|---|---|
| Brisbane City Council | $28K–$35K |
| Gold Coast | $25K–$32K |
| Logan | $20K–$28K |
| Moreton Bay | $22K–$30K |
| Ipswich | $18K–$25K |
| Sunshine Coast | $25K–$33K |
Why It Matters for Sellers
Infrastructure charges come directly off the developer's project profit. Higher charges mean developers have less budget for land acquisition.
Example: A 10-unit townhouse project:
- Infrastructure charges at $30K/unit = $300K total
- If charges increase to $40K/unit = $400K total
- The $100K difference comes directly off what the developer pays for your site
What You Can Do
You can't control infrastructure charges, but understanding them helps you:
- Price your site realistically
- Understand why developers offer what they do
- Compare your site's feasibility against competing sites
Free Feasibility Assessment
ACRES factors infrastructure charges into every site assessment to ensure accurate pricing.
Get your site assessed with accurate feasibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays infrastructure charges?
The developer pays infrastructure charges to council when creating additional dwellings. It's a cost that affects what they can afford to pay for land.
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Published by ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group
Source: acres.au/insights/infrastructure-charges-what-developer-pays | ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) provides property advisory, development site sales, and residential real estate services across Brisbane and South East Queensland, Australia.
Daniel McCormack
Managing Director, ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group
