FAQs

Landowners in Precinct A (Stages 1-4) have paid for the cost of development works, including the cost of:

• all new infrastructure services (sewer, water, electricity), roads, drainage
• remediation of contaminated land
• demolition of existing structures
• government fees and charges related to developing their land.

Granthamfarm is managing these works on behalf of the majority of landowners. A small number of landowners have opted to independently manage these works using appropriately licenced contractors.

Landowners had two options for funding the costs associated with development in Precinct A (Stages 1-4), being:

• Monetary Contribution: Money was paid to Landcom prior to work commencing, or
• Land Trade: A portion of land was traded with Landcom to cover the costs associated with development.

If a landowner had not entered into a Voluntary Contributions Agreement with Landcom by the end of February 2017, either because they chose not to or were unable to, under the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, compulsory land acquisition powers could be triggered.

The triggering of acquisitions provides certainty for all landowners, as it allows the Development Plan process to go ahead in the manner that the majority of landowners voted for in the landowner ballot in early 2016.

An upfront payment by the landowner was made to Granthamfarm and held in a dedicated account for development costs. Development costs are withdrawn from the account by Granthamfarm to deliver development works on behalf of landowners.

New land titles are created once subdivision works are complete, and the Deposited Plan of the subdivision is registered with NSW Land Property Information.

Surplus funds remaining in the account after costs have been met at the completion of the Development Plan will be returned to the landowner.

Land always remains in the ownership of individual landowners.

Landowners in Precinct A (Stages 1-4) who chose to pay for the cost of development via a monetary contribution were required to pay upfront before the commencement of subdivision works for their stage.

After the Subdivision Order was issued by the NSW Minister for Planning in November 2016, Landcom, as the relevant authority for the Riverstone Scheduled Lands Precinct A (Stages 1-3) commenced work to deliver the Development Plan

Under Schedule 7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the supporting provisions in the Regulation, landowners must vote on whether to consent to a Development Plan prepared under the provisions of the Act. The consent ballot is the voting process for landowners. A minimum of 60% of landowners, owning at least 60% of the land area, need to vote in favour for the NSW Minister for Planning to issue a Subdivision Order for development to proceed.

The ballot for Precinct A (Stages 1-3) was held in March 2016 and resulted in 80% of landowners, holding 88.5% of the land area, voting in favour of the Development Plan. This result met the majority required for the NSW Minister for Planning to make the Subdivision Order allowing Landcom to proceed with the Development Plan.

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