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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 below[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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Hannah Thomson

Hannah Thomson is Director of Planning Plus® and has over 20 years of resource management experience working in both local government and the private sector. This includes five years at Rodney District Council in roles including Senior Planner and Team Leader.

Hannah has a wide range of experience including commercial, rural, residential and coastal development and subdivision on small to large scales and appearances at both Council and Environment Court as an expert witness for mediation and hearings. Hannah has assisted Councils with policy development and has also assisted private individuals with submissions to Council.

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.