Watercare Growth Charge
How to save over $8,000 per dwelling using this Watercare growth charge hack!
Standard IGC (Metropolitan area) $21,267+GST ($24,457.05)
Small dwelling discounted rate (less than 65m2 net internal area) $14,178 ($16,304.70)
Dwelling size is measured on the internal floor area of the unit.
Net internal floor area definition (same as the AUP)
The floor space between the finished surfaces of internal walls between rooms.
Excludes:
balconies or decks
parking and
garages
Confirmation of finer details
In apartment buildings, shared spaces such as elevator shafts, stairwells, and utility closets are excluded.
However, wardrobes within the units are included in the overall unit size (in all cases, whether standalone, townhouse, apartment, etc). Similarly, laundries within the unit are included in the internal floor area calculation, but if an apartment building has a separate laundry for residents, then we don’t consider it as another unit. If that same laundry was for the residents and for members of the public to use, then it would be treated as commercial.
Stairs (internal) are counted as floor area on each level (e.g. twice)
The rate that applies to residential units with an internal floor area of 65m2 or less is 2/3s of the full rate.
Net internal area and gross floor area are quite different
We are finding that two-bedroom terraces with a gross floor area of up to 70m2 can also have a net internal floor area of less than 65m2.
A calculation will be required to be submitted to Watercare to support the 2/3 rate being applied.
Pro tip:
We suggest excluding internal room skirting boards from the NIA calculation as it’s part of the wall.
The above has all been agreed with Mr Rohit Chand – Manager – Connections Developer Services of Watercare.