The Special Infrastructure Contributions (SICs) program is an initiative by the NSW Government that seeks to recover some of the cost of infrastructure through developer contributions.
SICs support growing communities by funding a range of infrastructure including State and regional roads, public transport infrastructure, pedestrian and cycling paths, health facilities, emergency services, schools and open space improvements. SICs also fund biodiversity offsets in Western Sydney.
A SIC is paid by the developer in Special Contributions Areas and only on new development such as residential subdivisions and industrial estates. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment ensures contributions are reasonable and relate only to new growth.
The Minister for Planning and Homes will determine whether a SIC will apply to an area after consultation with the community. SICs have been implemented in Western Sydney Growth Centres, Warnervale Town Centre, Wyong Employment Zone, Gosford Town Centre, St Leonards Crows Nest, Bayside West, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Western Sydney Aerotropolis, Pyrmont and Frenchs Forest.
SIC User Guidelines
Everything you need to know about the SIC program is contained in the SIC User Guidelines.
The Guidelines provide step-by-step information about how to make a SIC contribution and all other process details, development consent and complying development certificates, with handy examples of application documents.
The Guidelines detail the approach taken by the department relating to works in kind agreements, and their ongoing management.
The Guidelines also cover off on each of the state’s 10 special contribution areas.
During 2023 the department will conduct information sessions to step through the processes contained in the Guidelines and answer any questions.
Details of those sessions will be circulated in early 2023.
Paying a SIC
The requirement to pay a SIC is specified as a condition of consent for some approved developments.
To confirm if a SIC applies to your development, and to calculate a SIC charge, please visit the SIC Online Service. This Service also allows applicants to request a SIC assessment online for faster assessment and more efficient communication with the department during the SIC assessment process.
The SIC Online Service includes the ePlanning Spatial Viewer, an interactive map where you can check if your site is within a SIC Area.
To begin the process, please register for an account.
More information
For more information, including information on previous SICs exhibited, please contact us via our online form and ask to get in touch with the Infrastructure and Place team.
The proposed Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC) for Aerotropolis could provide up to $1.1 billion in developer funding to support the delivery of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan.
The Special Infrastructure Contribution will help fund new and upgraded infrastructure to support the delivery of the Bayside West Precincts 2036.
The proposed SIC will provide up to $280 million to help fund the Pyrmont Metro station.
The Frenchs Forest SIC will provide $37.3 million to help fund new and upgraded infrastructure.
The proposed SIC for Greater Macarthur could provide up to $1.58 billion to help fund key infrastructure to support growth in Menangle, Gilead, North Appin, West Appin and Appin East.
The Gosford City Centre Special Infrastructure Contribution Determination came into effect on Friday 12 October 2018.
The Hunter Region SIC provides funding towards the delivery of infrastructure required to support residential and industrial development across the Hunter Region.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven SIC determination came into effect on 4 June 2021.
The proposed SIC could provide up to $1.5 billion in funding over the next 30 years for new and upgraded state and regional infrastructure in the North West Growth Area.
The proposed SIC for Rhodes could provide up to $74.8 million in funding towards road and open space improvements to support development in the area.
The SIC applies to new additional residential development and will help fund new and upgraded infrastructure to support the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 plan.
The Western Sydney Growth Areas Special Infrastructure Contribution Determination came into effect on 14 January 2011.
The Wilton SIC will provide $771 million in funding to support development in the area. This includes funding for roads and open space.