Before carrying out any excavation, trenching, service installation, or construction within a road reserve including nature strips, footpath, or roads - you must obtain a Works in Road Reserve Permit.
Works might include constructing a new vehicle crossing; closing a redundant crossing; or digging up part of a road, nature strip or footpath.
This permit ensures works are coordinated safely, do not disrupt essential services, and comply with traffic and pedestrian management requirements.
Approval must be granted before any machinery, excavation, or construction activity begins.
When is a permit required?
A Works in Road Reserve Permit is required for any of the following works:
- works within a road reserve
- constructing a new vehicle crossing
- altering, relocating or closing (removing) a redundant vehicle crossing
- digging up part of a road, nature strip or footpath
- installing signs or devices associated with a traffic management plan.
The need for a Works in Road Reserve Permit is detailed in the City of Whittlesea Community Local Law 2024(PDF, 7MB). Refer to section 9.5 Asset Protection – Occupying or opening a road or Council land.
Your works manager's responsibilities
Anyone responsible for carrying out work within a road reserve is considered to be the works manager.
- The works manager is responsible to ensuring that the works are conducted safely for everyone.
- 'Everyone' includes contractors, sub-contractors, road users (people in vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists), public transport operators and users, and people in abutting properties.
- The works manager must have an approved Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for the type of activity or works to be conducted. They must ensure that the TMP is implemented and managed whilst works are in progress. For more information, see the Traffic Management Plan section.
Before You Dig
Before any excavation work starts, the works manager must contact Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) to check the location of important infrastructure assets. BYDA can confirm the locations of underground assets such as electricity cables, gas pipes, water pipes, drainpipes and telecommunications conduits.
Failure to check can result in important infrastructure being dug up, leading to service disruptions, financial penalties and possible injury to workers and other people.
This information can be added to the plan of works for the Works in Road Reserve Permit application.
For more information, visit the BYDA website.
A vehicle crossing, also known as a driveway crossover, connects your property to the road across the nature strip or footpath. Find out if you need a permit and how to apply.
Visit the vehicle crossing permit page for more information
You may need a permit to connect your property’s stormwater drainage to Council’s drainage system or to repair an existing connection. Find out about permit requirements and how to apply.
Visit the stormwater connection or repairs page for more information
If you’re planning any temporary works, changes to traffic conditions or need to occupy a road, street, lane or footpath within our municipality, you must submit a Traffic Management Plan (TMP). Anyone responsible for carrying out work within a road reserve must also apply for a Works in Road Reserve Permit.
Anyone carrying out work within a road reserve must make sure that the works are conducted safely for everyone. This includes:
- contractors
- sub-contractors
- road users (people in vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists)
- public transport operators and users
- people in neighbouring properties.
TMP requirements
As part of the Traffic Management Plan submission, we require:
- Contact description
- Works description
- TMP prepared by a qualified and accredited traffic management professional
- Proof of stakeholder engagement
- If a speed reduction is required, a completed City of Whittlesea Memorandum (MOA) form. Additional fees may apply.
Download the MOA
Memorandum of Authorisation (MOA) form(PDF, 133KB)
Memorandum of Authorisation (MOA) form (accessible)(DOCX, 43KB)
The works manager must ensure:
- that an approved TMP is implemented whilst works are in progress
- the TMP is prepared by suitably qualified person
- anyone responsible for carrying out work within a road reserve must also apply for a Works in Road Reserve Permit.
What does the TMP need to cover?
The TMP must include measures to:
- minimise disruption to all traffic. This includes pedestrians and cyclists, public transport operators and users and people in abutting properties, particularly for people with mobility or other impairments.
- minimise damage to roads and other infrastructure
- conduct works as quickly as possible
- protect and preserve roadside vegetation
- comply with any conditions included on the written permit.
Anyone responsible for carrying out work within a road reserve must also apply for a Works in Road Reserve Permit.
What are the works manager's responsibilities
The works manager must ensure that the people implementing the TMP are appropriately qualified and trained.
The works manager must also ensure all signs, devices and items shown on the TMP are installed/removed at the start/finish of each day, and that 'aftercare' arrangements (when appropriate) be installed/removed at the finish/start of each day.
To apply, you will need to submit a scaled sketch plan of the proposed works and any above or below ground features, infrastructure and services.
Apply for Works in Road Reserve Permit online
A Works in Road Reserve Permit is not valid unless the appropriate fee has been paid.
The current fees are below. They are adjusted on 1 July each year in accordance with State Government advice.
| Work category |
Indicative fees |
| Minor works (service connection where excavation is limited to within nature strip) |
$100.70 |
| Vehicle crossing (non-refundable fee) |
$161.75 |
| Other works (fees depend on the situation) |
$100.70 – $748.85 |
Fee variations
Fees can vary according to the impact and scope of the work.
Work type and duration
Fees can differ depending on work type and duration.
Work type
- Low-impact works have no impact on pedestrian, cyclist or motor-vehicle traffic.
- Medium-impact works include footpath and/or traffic lane closure, alternative path for pedestrians, contra-flow traffic arrangements and traffic controllers.
- High-impact works include road closure.
Duration
- Short-term works are less than one day.
- Medium-term works are 2-7 days.
- Long-term works are more than 7 days.
Indicative fees
| Work type |
Short-term |
Medium-term |
Long-term |
| Low impact |
$100.70 |
$100.70 |
$161.75 |
| Medium impact |
$161.75 |
$405.85 |
$744.30 |
| High impact |
$744.30 |
$TBA |
$TBA |
Road occupation
Please be aware that road occupation fees may also apply. This may occur if, as a result of works not being completed by scheduled date, a footpath or road remains partially or fully closed.
Fees are calculated using the total area affected, as follows:
| Property type affected |
Fees |
| Domestic, private single dwelling or local shop trader |
$5.00 per m2per week |
| Commercial, industrial property or two or more units |
$10.00 per m2per week |