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Watercare Infrastructure Growth Charges to increase
Hannah Thomson
Jun, 25

If you’re developing land in Auckland, it’s important to have a good handle on your costs. As well as resource consent costs, there are also development contributions and in residential and business land development, an Infrastructure Growth Charge (ICG). You can find out more about Auckland Council’s new Development Contributions policy here.  

What are Infrastructure Growth Charges?

An Infrastructure Growth Charge (ICG) related to development in Auckland and is paid to Watercare Services. It relates to the cost of increasing the capacity of Watercare’s bulk water and wastewater infrastructure. It includes for example:

  • locating and accessing new water sources,
  • new transmission pipes for water and wastewater and
  • expansion of existing and new treatment plants.

It does not include:

  • new local networks, which are often established by developers undertaking residential development Auckland and vested in Auckland Council,
  • the cost of local network maintenance (which is paid for by existing users),

The date to day operation of treatment plants (which is also paid for by existing users).Image source[1]: WSLICG Increasing

From 1 July 2025, the Infrastructure Growth Charge that Watercare charge will increase. These are summarised in the table above[2]. For residential development the charges apply per residential unit and for business development, the charges apply per development unit equivalent[3].

It’s important to note that no further connections are available in Bombay, Kingseat, Muriwai and Waiwera. Helensville and Parakai are areas of low supply, and a connection may not be available in certain locations.

Preliminary advice?

Thinking about developing but don’t know where to start? Worried you’ll miss something important, and want to know the issues upfront? Make informed decisions about development with up front planning advice. With over 60 combined years of experience, let our specialist team help you on your development journey. Find out how we can help from the start here.

[1] igc_infographic_ff2d012028.png (1275×901)

[2] business_other_charges_2025_2026_pdf_f16ac04c74.pdf

[3] Ibid

 

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Helen Heard

Helen is a Senior Planner at Planning Plus™ and has over 19 years’ experience in planning and environmental consulting. Helen’s experience includes the preparation of resource consents, compliance monitoring, environmental auditing, community consultation and environmental fund coordination. Her background has provided her with a wide range and thorough understanding of technical and environmental inputs. 

Helen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Science) and Bachelor of Business (Management) Conjoint Degree and is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute. 

Disclaimer

Please remember that the advice in this blog is general in nature and based on information and advice available at the time of writing. We recommend you get your own planning advice. As with all our blogs this information is preliminary in nature only and we have used our best endeavours to ensure it is correct at the time of writing. It is not intended to substitute for your own investigations or obtaining specific advice from professionals. Planning Plus LtdTM is not liable in any way for any errors or omissions.