The Road Act requires that all parties proposing to undertake construction work within, or adjacent to a Council road reserve, apart from authorised utility service providers, must first make application for Council permission.
All construction activities, apart from footpath landscaping activities, are to be undertaken by contractors accredited by Council.
This information outlines the requirements and standards in relation to such activities including the approval procedures, fees and securities as well as the approval criteria for Council permission to undertake a planned activity on Council’s road reserves.
The following construction activities within Council road reserves can only be undertaken by suitably accredited contractors:
- Rural road vehicular access
- Private irrigation/water supply pipelines
- Footpath driveways with concrete, asphalt or segmental pavers
- Concrete crossover slabs
- Footpath resurfacing with asphalt, concrete or segmental pavers
- Groundwater monitoring bores
Council may permit a footpath landscaping activity to be undertaken by an individual, or their sub-contractor, if the individual owns the adjacent property, or has the adjacent property owner’s approval.
Footpath landscaping activities, which Council may permit to be undertaken by an individual, or their sub-contractor, include the following:
- Installing and maintaining house stormwater pipes
- Footpath resurfacing with garden beds, mulch and gravel
- Installing pop-up sprinkler irrigation systems
- Planting street trees in consultation with and under the direction of Council’s Manager Recreation and Open Spaces
All construction works, including landscaping within Council’s road reserves, may only be carried out with the approval of Council through the issue of a ‘Consent to Work Permit’ and in accordance with all permit conditions. Note: State classified roads require additional approval from Transport for NSW.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES APPROVAL PROCEDURE
(not including footpath landscaping activities within a Council road reserve)
- Road Opening applications must be lodged a minimum of two weeks prior to the planned commencement date together with the appropriate application fees. Applications must include evidence of sub-contractor accreditation, traffic control plan and engineering plans (where applicable).
- Where the temporary closure of a road to traffic is planned, a separate Road Closure application must be lodged a minimum six weeks prior to the planned commencement date together with the appropriate application fees (where applicable)
- Payment of road restoration fees and/or securities bond prior to works commencing onsite (where applicable)
FOOTPATH LANDSCAPING ACTIVITIES APPROVAL PROCEDURE
Note: Contractors are able to apply for accreditation at any time. Nominating the use of accredited, pre-qualified contractors will simplify the Road Opening approval process.
- A Footpath Landscaping application is to be lodged and the appropriate application fees paid prior to the planned commencement date
- Applications must include a sketch of the proposed works, including the proposed landscaping with dimensions (preferably to scale), and also show the front property boundary, driveways, kerb and gutter, existing power poles, street lights, utility service pits, etc and evidence of a ‘Dial Before You Dig’ enquiry
- Contractors wishing to be accredited must apply to Council using the appropriate application form. Should the application be approved, the applicant is required to sign an agreement complying with a list of standard conditions
CONDITIONS THAT AN ACCREDITED CONTRACTOR WOULD AGREE TO COMPLY WITH, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
- Performing the work in a tradesman-like manner in accordance with Councils’ specifications, guidelines, standard drawings etc
- Accepting the liability for defects in road restoration works that may occur for a period of six months from when the work was completed
- Council may issue ‘Request for Corrective Action’ notices during this time and where a response is unsatisfactory, Council may undertake re-instatement works and recover the cost from the contractor
- Accepting responsibility for reinstatement costs for damage done to property as a direct result of the work carried out
- Protecting existing street trees from damage
- Having suitable public liability insurance in place