GREATER Hume Shire has enforced a developer contributions payment for a Culcairn house damaged by fire earlier this year.
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The Kirndeen Street home sparked widespread media interest when snakes and lizards fled the property at the height of the January blaze.
The owner, Rebecca Lyons, has since incurred a developer charge of $2489 on the repair job, but a request to council for exemption on Wednesday was rejected.
Builder Turner Constructions sought to have the payment waived on behalf of the owner.
It claimed the property wasn't a "new development" and the house was only going to be restored to its pre-fire condition.
The report presented to councillors raised issues about the age and condition of the property and whether or not there had been an insurance payout for damages incurred.
Cr Denise Osborne attempted to defer a decision on enforcing the developer fee until all information had been provided to council.
"I am not suggesting we wait forever for a response," she said.
"Personally I would feel more comfortable if we had gone back to the person and asked them the outstanding questions.
"People don't have these sorts of things happen to them very often."
Her amendment was supported by Cr Tony Quinn, but failed to gain enough support to overturn the staff recommendation of enforcing the payment of the development levy.
Cr Stuart Heriot raised the issue of council enforcing the policy on a Holbrook property also damaged by fire recently.
"If this (amendment) goes through I reckon we would have to re-open another case in Holbrook," he said.
"A similar thing did happen.”
Cr Annette Schilg said: "Don't we need to look at each individual case on its merits?"
The fee applies to developments of more than $200,000.
The motion to enforce the developer levy was passed unanimously.
The council introduced the plan to help fund public facilities in its townships including Culcairn and any exemption would defeat the purpose of its creation.
The occupant of the house at the time of the January fire, Richard John Sutton, has fronted court and pleaded guilty to his part in the blaze.
He is due to return to court for sentencing next month.
