A Special Charge Scheme is a way for Council to raise money for an upgrade project by charging property owners that benefit from the upgrade. This is allowed by the Local Government Act 1989. Thanks to this, many towns now have improved roads and drainage which has led to less dust and flooding.

The aim of this project is to ensure that residents along Jam Jerrup get the infrastructure that is expected when living in a residential area. The people who live there will get the benefits that come with these improvements.

Road and drainage upgrade projects are undertaken in accordance with the Bass Coast Shire Council Urban Road and Drainage Improvement Policy 2024

The Council uses money from rates to provide many services, including road maintenance. However, this money does not cover new improvements like building unsealed roads, kerbs, footpaths, or drainage if they don't already exist.

The Council has a policy called the Urban Roads and Drainage Improvement Policy 2024. This policy says that the cost of substantial upgrades to roads, drainage, or footpaths must be shared by the property owners who benefit the most from these improvements.

The concept designs will be prepared balancing design requirements such as minimal cost, least impact to the environment and retaining the characteristics of the area. Generally, the road can be upgraded following the existing footprint of gravel roads. In areas of shearwater birds, the proposed upgrades can retain works within the existing road footprint to avoid impacts to these extremely important habitats. Road widths can be minimised to reduce and avoid impacts to the existing vegetation. Footpaths can be minimised and meandered to avoid impacting on the existing vegetation and retain the characteristics of the area. Swale drains can be retained in selected locations to protect existing vegetation, wildlife and street characteristics. Traffic calming treatments can be tailored to provide additional space for vegetation and enhance street characteristics. No additional street lighting will be installed which will assist to protect the shear waters migration.

Consideration to protecting and mitigating impacts to local flora and fauna will be undertaken in accordance with due diligence reports. Additional advice and targeted surveys will be undertaken if the project is supported to progress into the detailed design and construction phase. All legislative requirements will be followed. If the project is supported, the detailed design phase will ensure there are minor adjustments as required to avoid and minimise impact on existing vegetation as a priority.

If the special charge scheme was approved in the future and you believe that you may have difficulty paying, please contact Council’s Revenue Services team on 5671 2211. Our officers are more than willing to confidentially discuss payment options with you, taking into account your current situation. Ratepayers who reside in the affected property and their only form of income is a Government pension may qualify for hardship assistance. A copy of Council’s Hardship and Financial Hardship Policy can be found on our website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/about-council/strategies-and-policies/policies

At this stage Council has only made a decision to proceed with the planning phase of the project, which is to develop concept plans, cost estimates and apportionment (sharing) of the costs.

The construction stage is another step that goes to a Council meeting for a decision, which is undertaken after the planning phase. Once the concept plans and costings have been developed with the community, a further report will be presented to Council outlining design options together with the cost for both Council and the community. Once the preferred project design is adopted, Council will initiate the legislative process and intent to declare a special charge scheme.

Property owners can make a written submission in support of or opposition to a special charge scheme, following the Council notifying property owners of its intent to declare a special charge scheme.

Notification of an intent to declare a special charge scheme will be sent to property owners via registered post and email.

An estimate of costs (special charge) for each individual property will be provided to property owners prior to the road and drainage project declaration. This is required to be provided to property owners at least 28 days in advance of a special charge declaration.

Property owners can make a written submission in support of or in opposition to a special charge scheme, following the Council notifying property owners of its intent to declare a special charge scheme. Property owners will be able to provide feedback in a yes or no format. If property owners want to provide additional feedback in support or objection to the scheme, this will also be available. There will be further consultation with the community regarding this process in due course.

Following consideration of all submissions or objections, and the recommendation(s) of the project steering committee, Council will consider a detailed report on the special charge scheme and may decide to:

• Abandon the proposed special charge scheme

• Prepare a new special charge scheme due to the need to significantly modify the original scheme (this would recommence the process)
  Proceed, with or without minor variation, to declare the proposed special charge.

Although there is no payment required at this stage, if the project was supported by the community and developed further as a project, Council must levy (start collecting) the special charges within 12 months of the declaration, according to the Local Government Act 1989.

At the end of construction (practical completion) and defects liability (generally 12 months after this), Council officers will prepare a report to Council to finalise all costs associated with the project.

You can ask questions by calling Bass Coast Council’s Customer Service Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211.

If you have questions about the construction or staging of the project, please ask for Council’s Infrastructure Delivery team.

If you have questions about the details of the Special Charge Scheme, please ask for Council’s Sustainable Transport and Movement Team or email roadupgrades@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

If your question is about financial hardship, please ask for Council’s Specialist Revenue Officer or the Revenue Service team.