Works in road reserve permit

What are works in a road reserve?

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.

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.

Before you Dig Australia 

Visit the BYDA website

Work on driveways and crossovers

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

Vehicle crossings must be constructed in accordance with our standard drawings found in our Guidelines for Urban Development.

Download the guidelines

Guidelines for Urban Development(PDF, 5MB)

Guidelines for Urban Development - accessible(DOCX, 7MB)

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:

road-reserve-permit-crossover-tangent.jpg

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.

Pipe and culvert crossings

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.

Works in Road Reserve Permit(PDF, 530KB) is required.

Changes to an urban nature strip

You do not need a permit to re-seed an existing grass nature strip.

You do need a Works in Road Reserve permit(PDF, 530KB) 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 tapping and stormwater drainage connections

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(PDF, 530KB) 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.

Traffic Management Plan (TMP)

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. 

TMP requirements

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.  
  • Anyone responsible for carrying out work within a road reserve must also apply for a Works in Road Reserve Permit:

Works in a road reserve permit form(PDF, 530KB)

Works in a road reserve permit form - accessible(DOCX, 157KB)

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 a permit

To apply for approval, download the form and submit:

  • a completed Works in Road Reserve Permit application form 
  • a scaled sketch plan of the proposed works and any above or below ground features, infrastructure and services.

Download the permit form

Works in Road Reserve Permit application form(PDF, 530KB)  

Works in Road Reserve Permit application form - accessible(DOCX, 157KB)

Send your completed form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Permit fees

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