As part of developing an affordable housing contribution scheme and preparing a planning proposal to amend an LEP to levy developer contributions, councils will need to prepare and provide evidence that affordable housing contribution rates are viable. Councils will need to provide the Department with the evidence and needs to be viable when taking into consideration local and state infrastructure charges, and the ability for developers to achieve a reasonable profit margin.

Affordable housing contribution schemes are council-led documents which set out how, where, and at what rate development contributions can be collected by councils for affordable housing. Local communities are given greater clarity about the affordable rental housing planned for in their areas, and affordable housing contribution schemes provide developers certainty and transparency about how affordable rental housing contributions will be determined, and the contribution rate that will be applied in a condition of consent.