The Brisbane City Council has released a new Green Buildings Incentive Policy to encourage the development of greener and more energy efficient buildings.

The Policy provides for a financial payment equivalent to 50 percent of the infrastructure charges paid for Council networks for developments approved between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2022 which meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in the Policy.

The incentive is available for residential and commercial developments which are three storeys or more and which are not entitled to a benefit under another development incentive of the Council.

For commercial developments, the development must comply with the criteria and sub-elements under the New World City Design Guide – Buildings that Breathe, obtain a carbon neutral certification and comply with the minimum green plot ratio.

For residential developments, the development may achieve a 5-star Green certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia or achieve a six-leaf rating from UDIA Queensland at the “as built” stage or otherwise achieve one of the other criteria identified for commercial developments above.

Mixed-use buildings will be eligible under the residential criteria if a component of the building is for residential purposes or eligible under the commercial criteria if the majority of the building is used for commercial purposes.

In addition to the above, applicants will need to have paid the levied charge for the development and ensure that no development offences are being committed in relation to the development.

Requests for the incentive will need to be made between 1 July 2022 and 31 December 2023.

This article was written by Peter Bittner, Partner, Shaun Pryor, Solicitor and Leeann Yeoh, Graduate Lawyer.