Infrastructure charges discount to boost housing diversity
Published on 10 December 2025
Fraser Coast Regional Council has endorsed new incentives to help boost housing supply and encourage a wider mix of homes across the region.
The changes include a 75 per cent discount on infrastructure charges for certain housing types and a separate discount for new residential lots in Maryborough and several nearby towns.
“Our region doesn’t just need more houses – it needs more choice,” Development and Planning spokesperson Cr Paul Truscott said.
“Smaller homes, units, townhouses, supported accommodation and aged-care style housing all play an important role.
“By targeting discounts where they will make the biggest difference, we hope to bring forward more diverse and often more affordable housing options close to jobs, shops and services.”
Infrastructure charges are fees paid by developers that help Council fund key services such as roads, water, sewerage, stormwater systems and parks.
Under the new Housing Diversity Incentive, eligible townhouses, dual occupancies, community residences, rooming accommodation and residential care facilities in the appropriate residential zones will receive a 75 per cent discount on infrastructure charges.
Lifestyle villages and over-50s relocatable home parks are not eligible as Council considers there is already strong supply in that market.
As part of the same new package, Council has also adopted a targeted discount to help unlock more housing in Maryborough and several rural and coastal towns.
From January 2026, eligible residential subdivisions in these areas will receive an infrastructure charge discount of about 27 per cent. That means a fully serviced lot in Maryborough would attract a charge of approximately $25,000, compared to the current charge of $34,500.
“We know there is strong demand for new homes in Maryborough and our rural and coastal towns, but some projects are struggling to stack up financially,” Cr Truscott said.
“The tap is flowing in Hervey Bay, but in the southern part of the region, the tap is running dry.
“The industry has indicated to Council that the current settings are not working, and these changes are designed to respond to the immediate need for more housing in these areas.
“By slightly lowering infrastructure charges in these locations, we’re aiming to tip more projects over the line and get more serviced lots to market.”
The discount applies to residential subdivisions in the low density, medium density and rural residential zones in Maryborough and towns such as Tiaro, Howard, Poona and Torbanlea.
Cr Truscott said the new incentives would run for two years and be reviewed as part of Council’s Investment Attraction Strategy.
“This policy offers targeted discounts while still ensuring growth contributes to the cost of essential infrastructure on the Fraser Coast,” he said.
The updated Infrastructure Charges Resolution and Infrastructure Charges Incentives Policy will commence in January 2026 and is proposed to be in place until December 2027, unless replaced by a future investment attraction package.