SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council has dumped its planned hefty infrastructure charge increases aimed at developers.

The surprise move came at yesterday's meeting and follows broad public backlash against the move that stood to cost some developers tens of thousands of dollars.

The council unanimously voted against its proposal with one councillor even suggesting cuts to the existing charges would be appropriate.

Under the proposals developers would have faced a 50% increase in charges on residential subdivisions.

The plans disturbed some developers who were concerned the increase in fees would drive development away from the region.

Yesterday the council voted to hold existing charges as they are, and review a proposal put forward by Cr Jamie Mackenzie.

Cr Mackenzie, a former town planner, suggested the council lower existing charges to stimulate the local economy.

Under the councillor's plan, infrastructure charges would be reduced across the board provided there was an agreement between developers and the council.

The approach could very well see charges set on a case-by-case basis depending on what infrastructure would be required to be built with each development.

Cr Mackenzie questioned a lack of clarity on what developers were being charged.

"My whole guise is why collect money for something if we can't show what it's for," he said.

"I wouldn't be too happy to write out a cheque if I didn't know what it's for"

Cr Mackenzie moved that the current fees be frozen and furthermore that fees be reduced in towns outside Warwick and Stanthorpe.

Deputy Mayor Cr Ross Bartley supported freezing the charges, stating his belief that there would be no benefit in raising them.

"Where they are now is how they should stay if we want to get development happening in the region," he said.

Cr Neil Meiklejohn said he wouldn't support a freeze on infrastructure charges and stated that based on the current figures industrial and commercial developers weren't paying anything.

"That freeze would mean industrial and commercial developers don't pay once cent to help support infrastructure," he said.

"What it means in a general snse is industrial and commercial developers not paying

"The raise in the suggested charges are simply to increase co-payment of developers and community for paying infrastructure."

Cr Jo McNally conceded that while infrastructure charges on the Southern Downs were much lower than other areas, but said it didn't mean they should be raised.

"They may be cheaper than other areas but when you go to sell the land it's not worth as much becase the growth just isn't there," she said.

"This is our core business."

Both Cr Denise Ingram and Cr Cameron Gow also agreed with Cr Meiklejohn's concerns about ratepayers carrying the burden of infrastructure charges.

Developers will be given the chance to talk over their issues with the council in upcoming open forums in Warwick on Tuesday, July 14 and Stanthorpe on Thursday, July 16.

Cr Mackenzie's ideas will be reviewed by the council, with a report to come to a future meeting.