Waivers for NFPs queried

Councillor wants not-for-profits policy

A TOOWOOMBA councillor has called on the TRC to find consistency when giving infrastructure charges waivers to projects by not-for-profit organisations.

Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan’s comments come after the councillors voted on Tuesday to give a full waiver to the Pittsworth and District Men’s Shed for $15,000 in infrastructure charges.

The project was the 17th granted a full or partial waiver since 2013, totalling more than $3.4 million in unclaimed exemptions.

Because there were no specific policies around granting waivers to NFPs, in most cases the council officers had recommended against them but the councillors would put forward an alternative motion approving it.

This discretionary aspect was something Cr O’Hara Sullivan wanted to see changed,

‘‘ I JUST WOULD RATHER HAVE SOME RIGOUR AROUND WHAT THE PURPOSE OF (A WAIVER) IS. CR MEGAN O’HARA SULLIVAN

arguing it opened the process up to people’s biases and often confused the community.

“I don’t think it’s terribly fair, and there are no guidelines around it,” she said.

“I just would rather have some rigour around what the purpose of it is.

“Is it to be charitable, generate employment, stimulate the economy?”

During the same meeting, the Darling Downs Christian School was knocked back for a $50,000 reduction in its infrastructure charges despite arguing it held NFP standard.

Mayor Paul Antonio argued that this was based on the precedent set in 2015 when the councillors voted to reject a similar, albeit larger, proposal by Toowoomba Grammar School.

“I think you’ll find that it’s fairly consistent. A school is not (necessarily) a not-forprofit,” he said.

“The staff are doing the right thing (by recommending against the waivers), it’s just that we have an opportunity to help not-for-profits.”

Planning and development chair Cr Chris Tait said council officers were working on a new policy around this issue which would come before the councillors this year.

“Recently, council requested a policy be developed for not for profit organisations to enable the consistent application of these decisions and to provide certainty for NFPs applying for a development approval,” he said.

“Council officers are currently undertaking consultation to ensure any policy is consistent with other Council policies such as rates reductions and fee reductions for NFPs.”