Works in road reserve permit (vehicle crossover)

A Council Works in Road Reserve Permit is required to conduct any of the following:

• Works within a road reservation.
• 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.

Link to Work in Road Reserve Permit application forms:

• Works in Road Reserve Permit (PDF - 501KB)
• Works in Road Reserve Permit - Word (DOCX - 149KB)

The need for a Works in Road Reserve Permit is detailed in the Whittlesea City Council General Municipal Law 2014, on these links:

• General Municipal Law 2015 (PDF - 850KB)
• General Municipal Law 2015 - Accessible (DOCX - 258KB )

Anyone responsible for carrying out work within a road reserve is the works manager. The works manager has the responsibility to ensure 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, 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, and they must ensure that the TMP is implemented and managed whilst works are in progress.

Further details on TMP requirements are contained within the Traffic Management Plan section below.

Before any excavation, the works manager (person responsible for the works) must contact Dial Before You Dig (telephone: 1100) and check the locations of underground infrastructure assets such as electricity cable, gas pipe, water pipe, drain pipe and telecom conduits.

This information will also assist the preparation of a plan of the works that is to accompany the Works in Road Reserve Permit application.

Install, alter or close (remove) a vehicle crossing or driveway

Property owners must ensure that each point of vehicle access from a road to the property has a properly constructed vehicle crossing (also known as a driveway crossing or crossover).

You must seek an assessment and obtain approval for crossing locations from the City Design and Transportation Department.  To apply for approval, submit a Works in Road Reserve Permit application form and a scaled sketch plan of the proposed works and any above or below ground features, infrastructure and services.

Vehicle crossings must be constructed according to the Guidelines for Urban Development.

Where works involve relocating or closing a point of vehicle access, the redundant part of the vehicle crossing must be removed.

Crossings must be located at least 6m from the tangent point of a road intersection, see diagram below:

Vehicle crossings must be at least 1.0m from the following assets, except for street trees which require 2.5m:

• road signs
• light poles
• electricity pits
• telecom pits
• fibre optic pits
• stormwater pits
• sewer pits
• fire hydrants
• fire plugs
• valves
• parking bays
• pram crossings

Pre-pour inspection

You must book a pre-pour inspection with us at least 48 hours before pouring the concrete for the vehicle crossing.

A culvert crossing is the treatment where no kerb and channel exists.  If you require a pipe or culvert crossing, call on 9217 2170 for an inspection and advice on the proper construction.

A quotation for the cost of the works can be provided.  The works manager can decide if they wish to arrange for the works themselves, or have Council do the work.  In either case, a Works in Road Reserve Permit must be issued.

You are not required to obtain a permit to re-seed an existing grass nature strip.

You must obtain a Works in Road Reserve permit before installing instant turf on a nature strip.

You must obtain a Nature Strip Garden Permit before modifying a nature strip from the default grass surface.

Visit Council's Nature Strips webpage for details.

A Works in Road reserve Permit is not valid unless the appropriate fee has been paid.  The current fees are below.  These are adjusted 1 July each year in accordance with State Government advice.

• Minor works (service connection where excavation is limited to within nature strip) - $95.40
• Vehicle crossing - $147.90*
• Other works (fees depends on the situation) $95.70 to $685.30

Minor impact (small excavations, bus stop works, service connections, vegetation removal, surveying)

• Not on roadway, pathway or shoulder (<=50km/h legal speed limit) - $95.40
• On roadway, pathway or shoulder (>50km/h legal speed limit) - $147.90

Major impact 

• Not on roadway, pathway or shoulder (<=50km/h legal speed limit) - $95.40
• Not on roadway, pathway or shoulder (>50km/h legal speed limit) - $373.70
• On roadway, pathway or shoulder (<=50km/h legal speed limit) - $373.70
• On roadway, pathway or shoulder (>50km/h legal speed limit) - $685.30

Road occupation fees may also apply if, as a result of works not being completed by scheduled date, and a footpath or road remains partially or fully closed.   Fees will be calculated using the total area to be used, and as follows:

• Domestic, private single dwelling or local shop trader - $5.00 per m2 per week
• Commercial, industrial property or two or more units - $10.00 per m2 per week

Use of Council TMP’s:

• Domestic, private single dwelling or local shop trader - $50.00
• Commercial, industrial property or two or more units - $100.00

Water tappings and stormwater drainage connections must be conducted by a qualified plumber and installed at least 1.0m from the following assets, except for street trees which require 2.5m:

• road signs
• light poles
• electricity pits
• telecom pits
• fibre optic pits
• stormwater pits
• sewer pits
• fire hydrants
• fire plugs
• valves
• parking bays
• pram crossings
• vehicle crossings

The Work in Road Reserve Permit only allows you to excavate for water tappings and drainage connections within the nature strip.  If you need to excavate in areas other than the nature strip, you must seek approval from our City Design and Transportation Department.

Conditions

Depth of cover - unless otherwise approved, the minimum depth of cover over services shall be:

• 800 mm below the road surface of a fully constructed street
• 300 mm below footpath and nature strip
• The depth as determined by our City Design and Transport department when it is not a fully constructed street

Existing conduits - in some constructed streets, conduits for service pipe/cable may have been provided. You must make use of such conduits wherever practical.

Please contact the City Design and Transport Department for their locations.

Drainage connections (connecting a stormwater drain pipe to a Council drain), must be constructed and installed according to our Guidelines for Urban Development. 

Where works make certain drainage pipes redundant, these pipes must be removed.

Pre-backfill inspection

You must book a pre-backfill inspection with us at least 48 hours before constructing a drainage connection.

Final inspection

You must book a Council inspection once the works are completed.

Damage to assets

You must report any damage to assets used for providing services such as electricity, gas, water, telecom, sewer and drain to the appropriate authority.

Anyone carrying out work within a road reserve has a responsibility to ensure 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, and people in abutting properties.  This means that the works manager must ensure  

• That an approved Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is implemented whilst works are in progress.
• The TMP is prepared by suitably qualified person for this task.  

For simple projects, Council TMP’s may be used, and must be accompanied with a locality plan (Google Maps, Melway, or similar).

For medium impact, long-term projects or high impact projects, the TMP must be specifically prepared for that project.

• Engage appropriately qualified and trained people to implement and manage the TMP.

This includes the works manager to arrange for all signs, devices and items shown on the TMP to be installed/removed at the start/finish of each day, and “aftercare” arrangements (when appropriate) be installed/removed at the finish/start of each day.

The TMP must be prepared having regard to the need 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:

• Works in Road Reserve Permit (PDF - 501KB )
• Works in Road Reserve Permit - Word (DOCX - 149KB )