You will need our consent (in the form of a permit) to carry out any excavation works within a road reserve.
A road reserve can include the nature strip, footpaths and roads.
Works might include constructing a new vehicle crossing; closing a redundant crossing; or digging up part of a road, nature strip or footpath.
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.
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 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.
Before you Dig Australia
Visit the BYDA website
You must follow our guidelines and get approval if you plan to install, alter or remove a driveway or crossover.
Request approval to install, alter or close a crossover 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 get approval if you plan to install, alter or remove a driveway or crossover.
You can get an assessment and obtain approval for crossing locations from our City Design and Transportation Department on 03 9217 2170.
Apply for approval
To apply for approval, submit:
Follow our guidelines when doing crossover works
When relocating or closing a crossing
Where works involve relocating or closing a point of vehicle access, the redundant part of the vehicle crossing must be removed.
Check distance from road intersection
Crossings must be located at least 6m from the tangent point of a road intersection.
See diagram below:
Check distance from other assets
Vehicle crossings must be at least 1 m from the following assets, except for street trees which require 2.5 m:
- road signs
- light poles
- electricity pits
- telecom pits
- fibre optic pits
- stormwater pits
- sewer pits
- fire hydrants
- fire plugs
- valves
- parking bays
- pram crossings.
Book a pre-pour inspection
You must book a pre-pour inspection with us at least 48 hours before pouring 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 03 9217 2170 for an inspection and advice on the proper construction.
A Works in Road Reserve Permit is required.
You do not need a permit to re-seed an existing grass nature strip.
You do need 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. Find out more about nature strips and when you need a permit.
Water tappings and stormwater drainage connections must be conducted by a qualified plumber.
They must be installed at least 1 m from the following assets:
- 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.
Water tappings and stormwater drainage connections must be installed at least 2.5m from street trees
The Works 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 on 03 9217 2170.
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
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 on 03 217 2170.
Drainage connections
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 and final inspections
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, sewerage and drainage to the appropriate authority.
The permit holder or any person engaged to conduct the works must reinstate any damaged or removed assets at the completion of these works in accordance with Council’s standard drawings and to the satisfaction of the authorised officer.
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
- people in abutting properties.
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.
Which TMP should you use?
For simple projects, Council TMP’s may be used, and must be accompanied with a locality plan (Google Maps, Melway, or similar).
Council's TMP for works in road reserve(PDF, 2MB)
For medium-impact, long-term projects or high-impact projects, the TMP must be specifically prepared for that project.
Apply for Works in Road Reserve Permit online
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.
A Works in Road Reserve Permit is not valid unless the appropriate fee has been paid.
The current fees are below. They are adjusted 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) |
$98.00 |
| Vehicle crossing |
$151.90 |
| Other works (fees depend on the situation) |
$98.00–$703.80 |
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 |
$98.00 |
$98.00 |
$151.90 |
| Medium impact |
$151.90 |
$383.80 |
$703.80 |
| High impact |
$703.80 |
$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 |
Use of Council TMPs
Council traffic management plans (TMPs) may be used for simple projects and must include a locality plan (Google Maps, Melway or similar).
For medium-impact, long-term or high-impact projects, the TMP must be specifically prepared for the project.
Fees for using Council TMPs are as follows:
| Property type affected |
Fees |
| Domestic, private single dwelling or local shop trader |
$50 |
| Commercial, industrial property or two or more units |
$100 |