Defining the catchment for a contributions plan and, where relevant, subcatchments within that plan helps determine the scope of development that will create demand for infrastructure. This forms the basis for demonstrating nexus and calculating contribution rates.

This module provides guidance on how to determine an appropriate catchment and the mapping requirements for these catchments. 

Legislative requirements

Under section 212(1)(b) of the EP&A Regulation, contributions plans must contain information detailing the land to which the plan applies. This is referred to as the plan catchment and applies to both section 7.11 and section 7.12 plans.  

Policy positions 

Contributions plans can have catchments and subcatchments   

Each contributions plan will have a boundary that shows the area that the plan applies to. This overall boundary is referred to as the plan catchment.  

Plans can also have subcatchments. These might relate to specific infrastructure types or categories within a contributions plan. A subcatchment could have an area of demand different to other types of infrastructure.  

For example, local open space catchments may be specific to a certain planning area while open space catering for widespread use, such as large sports facilities, may have the entire local government area as the catchment. 

Catchments should be clearly and accurately mapped 

Plan catchments and any subcatchments should be clearly shown via accurate mapping, and their purpose explained in the plan. The catchment maps must be accurate and legible so that they clearly show the boundaries of the catchment and any subcatchments. Councils should consider including wayfinding within the map, such as important road names and lot numbers, so it is easy to identify specific land within the catchment. 

Accurate mapping is important because contributions cannot be charged to development outside a catchment boundary. Maps for contributions plans should be created to the same standard as maps produced for other council documents such as local environmental plans. Mapping information can be found in the Standard Technical Requirements for Spatial Datasets and Maps 2017. 

Catchments can cross local government area boundaries

Councils can prepare a cross boundary contributions plan with another council when catchments cross different local government areas. This might occur when the demand for an item of local infrastructure does not conform to the boundaries of just one council area. For example, a growing urban area might cross two local government areas. A community facility to service this urban area would then have a catchment that crosses over the two councils.  

Best practice guidance

Catchment boundaries should relate to the demand for infrastructure 

Councils should consider any factors that impact demand for specific facilities when determining the catchment boundaries for a contributions plan or subcatchments within a contributions plan. 

• Boundaries related to populations - A catchment can be a geographic area that will incorporate the population, both existing and future, from which the major demand for a facility or service will be created. This could be a single greenfield development area, an entire local government area or a combination of local government areas. 
• Boundaries related to intended use patterns - The type of infrastructure and its intended use pattern can influence the catchment boundaries. For example, a catchment for local open space may be specific to a limited area as the community likely to use the space may be more localised. Other open space intended for widespread use, such as regional sporting facilities, may have the entire local government area as the catchment. 
• Boundaries influenced by an access barrier - A catchment may also be influenced by an access barrier, such as a railway line or a major highway. Barriers can affect the ability or inclination of a resident population to access services on the other side.  This may be due to limited crossing points, a lack of transport options or even a perception of an impediment. For example, a population may identify with a centre that is further away but easier to access.