Infrastructure Minister Kimmins has launched a new voluntary developer contribution scheme aimed at addressing the critical underinvestment in Northern Ireland's wastewater network. The move is designed to restart housing and business projects that have been stalled due to the current system's inability to handle new connections.

The Minister highlighted that the regional infrastructure is under intense pressure following years of limited funding. Regarding the current state of the network, Minister Kimmins stated: "Access to reliable and effective wastewater infrastructure is fundamental to our public health, environmental protection and economic prosperity. However, years of underinvestment have left our system under considerable strain, creating a significant obstacle to progressing ambitions for housing and business growth."

To combat these issues, the Minister outlined a "three-pronged approach" which involves securing further investment from the Executive, the introduction of the Water, Flooding and Sustainable Drainage Bill, and this new voluntary contribution pathway. This initiative will be carried out in partnership with NI Water. Under the new arrangements, developers who are facing delays due to local capacity issues will have the option to pay toward the necessary upgrades or replacements of NI Water infrastructure.

The Minister made it clear that participation is optional: "This new voluntary pathway will give developers, who wish to do so, the opportunity to directly contribute to the costs of upgrading or replacing NI Water's wastewater infrastructure in areas where existing capacity is preventing new connections. No developer will be required to contribute if they do not wish – the choice will be entirely theirs."

The scheme is expected to have a positive impact on both the construction industry and the local housing market. Minister Kimmins described the plan as a double opportunity: "Not only will it offer a route for developers to progress much-needed projects, especially new homes, but it will also create potential for prospective homeowners and tenants to access a greater supply of housing in areas currently held back by wastewater limitations."

While this voluntary measure is being rolled out, the Department confirmed it is still exploring the possibility of a compulsory levy. Any move toward a mandatory system will be decided based on the data and results gathered from this initial voluntary phase.