GRIFFITH City Council will introduce more regular forums after the success of the building and planning forum held recently targeting builders and real estate agents.
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The forum enabled council staff and councillors to interact and update industry players on what is happening in the region and at the council.
It was also an opportunity for people in the building and real estate sectors to meet with council staff that deal directly with development applications, construction certificates and building certification and to hear from industry what else council should be doing.
Director of sustainable development Neil Southorn believes it is important for council to engage with different sectors and to provide relevant information that will have an impact on industry
“Council has put a lot of effort in recent years to make Griffith a good place to build and invest, and there are some promising signs of an upswing in the construction sector to match the growth already taking place in rural industries,” Mr Southorn said.
“The message we wanted our audience to take home from the forum was that council staff are happy to discuss building projects, to provide cost estimates and to discuss changes to our policies including the 100 per cent s94a rebate and other fee incentives.”
“We also took the opportunity to highlight a couple of areas that we need to work together on, including the safe removal of asbestos during demolition and sedimentary fencing during construction.”
“Council also works in conjunction with other agencies and services to provide referral for programs and grant funding so it important that the general public is aware of this.”
For information on upcoming forums, please contact council’s economic development coordinator, Nicola James on 6962 8100.
Council has implemented an economic development assistance program designed to encourage additional economic activities.
The ‘Griffith Local Economic Development Assistance Program’ provides developers a rebate of the Section 94A contributions required for new development applications (DAs) and a partial rebate for DAs already determined but not yet completed, should completion be achieved before June 30, 2016.
Council is committed to doing what it can to assist the local economy through the current tough times, according to Mayor John Dal Broi.
“This program is expected to simulate the planning, development, construction and services sectors and drive investment growth, enabling Griffith to be seen as an ideal place for investment and relocation,” Councillor Dal Broi said.
