Casa Daily Glossary

Infrastructure Charges (Headworks) in SEQ

Also known as: infrastructure charges · headworks · ICN · Infrastructure Charges Notice

Infrastructure charges — also called headworks — are the levies councils impose on every new dwelling or lot to fund the trunk infrastructure (water, sewer, stormwater, transport, parks) that the development consumes. They're often the second-largest line in a small developer's feasibility, after construction.

Typical figures by council

Brisbane City: ~$28K per new residential lot, ~$15-22K per additional dwelling. Logan: ~$20K per new lot, ~$13K per additional dwelling. Moreton Bay: ~$22K per new lot, ~$15K per additional dwelling. Ipswich: ~$18K per new lot, ~$12K per additional dwelling. Gold Coast: ~$26K per new lot, ~$17K per additional dwelling. Sunshine Coast: ~$24K per new lot, ~$16K per additional dwelling. These are indicative — current rates vary by zone, dwelling type, and infrastructure precinct.

Credits

If the lot already has a dwelling, you're typically credited for one dwelling's worth of infrastructure. So a 1→3 subdivision generally pays charges on 2 new lots, not 3. A demolition + 4-pack townhouse pays on 3 dwellings, not 4. Casa Daily's feasibility snapshot factors credits in automatically.

Timing

Most councils issue an Infrastructure Charges Notice (ICN) shortly after the development approval. Payment is typically required before the council seals the survey plan (RoL) or before the council issues the Compliance Certificate (MCU). For RoL, that means before titles can be created and sold. Plan your settlement timing around this.

FAQ

Common questions.

Can I negotiate infrastructure charges?
The base rates are set by adopted council resolution and aren't negotiable. What can be negotiated is the timing and any offset agreements where you build trunk infrastructure as part of the project.
Are infrastructure charges GST-applicable?
No — infrastructure charges are a regulatory fee and not subject to GST. Build them into your feasibility net of GST.

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