Special infrastructure contributions

What is a SIC?

A special infrastructure contribution (SIC) is determined under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It is one way the NSW Government ensures funding is available for key state and regional infrastructure required to support growing communities, allowing priority infrastructure to be delivered at the same time as development.

A SIC is paid by developers within a defined Special Contributions Area to support to the cost of infrastructure delivery. This contribution helps to support key infrastructure such as state and regional roads, open space, schools and health facilities-are are built in growth areas.

What do SICs deliver?

A SIC is paid by the developer in Special Contributions Areas and only on new additional development. The Department of Planning and Environment ensures contributions are reasonable and relate only to new growth.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces will determine whether a SIC will apply to an area after consultation with the community.

SIC User Guidelines

Everything you need to know about the SIC program is contained in the SIC User Guidelines (PDF, 7.8 MB).

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.

Projects funded by SICs

The NSW Government had collected more than $481 million in SICs as of September 2021.

The Department works closely with state agencies and local councils to maintain a rolling pipeline of SIC investment.

The SICs program has contributed $269 million towards building or upgrading infrastructure, and developers have provided works valued at another $315 million in place of cash payments.

Projects funded include:

planning or delivering 41 new or upgraded roads
securing 7 sites for future schools
protecting 749 hectares of native vegetation in Western Sydney.

Another $136 million has been committed to existing projects and $68 million to future projects.

Use the interactive map below or a larger version of this map to see all projects in planning, underway or completed.

Paying a SIC

Paying a SIC is a condition of consent for some developments. To confirm if a SIC applies to your development, use the interactive ePlanning Spatial Viewer on the SIC Online Service. It also allows you to calculate the charge, request an assessment and communicate with the department.

Please register to start the process.

Visit the SIC Online Service

For more information, including information on previous SICs exhibited, contact us and ask for the Infrastructure and Place team.

Special contribution areas

A family relax on the grass in Arncliffe Park, Arncliffe, NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Adam Hollingworth

Bayside West

The SIC will collect up to $88.3 million to help fund state and regional roads, cycleways and footpaths, regional open space and schools.

Frenchs Forest

The SIC will collect up to $37.3 million to help fund state and regional roads, primary and secondary schools, public transport and cycleways, footpaths and green links.

Gosford city centre

The SIC will contribute to road network upgrades, upgrades to Kibble Park, and health, education and emergency services facilities.

Children play on a playground at Reddall Reserve, Lake Illawarra. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment

Illawarra Shoalhaven

The SIC will collect up to $124 million to help fund state and regional roads, cycleways and footpaths, regional open space, fire station and community health facilities, primary and secondary schools and biodiversity.

Pirrama Park on Sydney Harbour, Pyrmont. Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW

Pyrmont Peninsula

The SIC will collect up to $280 million to help fund the Pyrmont Metro station and associated infrastructure.

Graveyard. St Thomas Rest Park off West St, St Leonards, North Sydney, NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Adam Hollingworth

St Leonards and Crows Nest

The SIC will collect up to $116 million to help fund road crossing improvements, education, open space and pedestrian and cycle improvements.

Western Sydney Aerotropolis

The SIC will collect up to $1.1 billion to help fund state and regional roads, cycleways and footpaths, regional open space, hospitals, primary and secondary schools, train stations and bus depots, emergency services, cultural facilities and biodiversity.

Couple walking in a residential area in Westmead, Western Sydney NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Adam Hollingworth

Western Sydney Growth Areas

The SIC will help fund state and regional roads, primary and secondary schools, emergency services and justice, regional open space and biodiversity, health services and bus services.

Draft special contribution areas

Greater Macarthur

The proposed SIC could collect up to $1.58 billion to help fund state and regional roads, public transport corridors, schools, community health facilities, emergency services and police stations and biodiversity conservation.

People walk or ride their bicycles along the boardwalk at Honeysuckle Precinct. Newcastle, NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Jaime Plaza Van Roon

Hunter region

The proposed SIC could fund building and upgrading roads, schools, and health and emergency service facilities.

North West Growth Area

The proposed SIC could collect up to $1.5 billion to help fund roads and bridges, public transport infrastructure, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, education facilities, health facilities, emergency services and justice, regional open space and biodiversity conservation.

Rhodes

The proposed SIC could collect up to $74.8 million to help fund road and open space improvements to support development in the area.

Wilton

The proposed SIC could collect up to $771 million to help fund roads, bridges, cycleways, biodiversity, regional open space, education, bus infrastructure, health facilities and emergency services.