Developer contributions to the financing of infrastructure

Policy contribution

Contribution to objectives

Objective	Scale of contribution	Comment
		Developer contributions might prevent congestion which would otherwise result from development.  This will depend both on the development and on the nature of the infrastructure.
		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
		There is uncertainty about the relationship between transport infrastructure and economic development. Any economic impact is likely to depend on what infrastructure is funded by the contribution.
		Developer contributions provide a source of funding

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Contribution to alleviation of key problems

Problem	Scale of contribution	Comment
Congestion		Developer contributions might prevent congestion which would otherwise result from development.  This will depend both on the development and on the nature of the infrastructure.
Community impacts		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
Environmental damage		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
Poor accessibility		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
Social and geographical disadvantage		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
Accidents		This will depend on what infrastructure is provided. There is some concern that a system of developer contributions can limit focus on social and environmental objectives and favour developments which bring higher contributions.
Economic growth		There is uncertainty about the relationship between transport infrastructure and economic development. Any economic impact is likely to depend on what infrastructure is funded by the contribution.

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Appropriate contexts

Area type	Suitability
City centre
Dense inner suburb
Medium density outer suburb
Less dense outer suburb
District centre
Corridor
Small town
Tourist town

= Least suitable area type

= Most suitable area type

Adverse side effects

There are some concerns that a shift to use of developer contributions to fund transport infrastructure can lead to emphasis on financial gain (for infrastructure) which can be obtained from planning decisions rather than consideration of other social or environmental objectives (see Campbell et al. 2000).