Road Opening / Drainage Connection Permit

Do I need a Road Opening / Drainage Connection Permit?

It is a requirement of the Shire’s Community Amenity Local Law 2022, Works on Council Land or Roads to obtain a permit to undertake works on a road or Council land and is a requirement of the Road Management Act 2004 to obtain written consent of the coordinating road authority to conduct any works in, on, under or over a road. For more information on the Shire’s Community Amenity Local Law 2022 or to access a copy, please see the Local law detail page. This permit is required for drainage connections into Council assets eg. easements.

Why do I need a Road Opening / Drainage Connection Permit?

The purpose of the permit is to protect public safety, minimise damage to natural and built community assets and to ensure that works and reinstatement of the road complies with the relevant Shire construction standards and specifications. To view or access a copy of the Standard relevant to your proposal, see Section 8 of the Shire's Civil Engineering Standard Drawings.

An Authorised Officer will conduct inspections for the duration of the permit to monitor:

  • Compliance with the permit and any associated conditions
  • Construction and reinstatement complies with the relevant Shire construction standards and specifications
  • Public safety is not impacted by the works
  • Any damage to community assets is repaired and paid for
  • The road reserve is reinstated to its original condition

Do I need any other Permits or Approvals?

The road reserve is divided between the road used by traffic and the roadside (which includes the nature strip and footpath if there is one), see ‘Responsible’ and ‘Coordinating’.

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You must apply to the relevant road authority for consent to perform works within the Road Reserve and this may be the Shire and/or VicRoads.

VicRoads consent is required to excavate any part of a VicRoads road used by traffic. To check if your road is a VicRoads road, see the map of VicRoads Declared Roads(PDF, 83KB) and for more information on applying for consent to excavate a road, see the VicRoads website. If you are unsure who the relevant authority is for your proposed works, please contact us on 5950 1040 to discuss.

You may be required to submit a Traffic Management Plan to the Shire for review and approval e.g. for road or footpath closures or traffic detours. If your works are on a VicRoads Declared Road, they must comply with VicRoads traffic management requirements. For more information on when a Traffic Management Plan is required, VicRoads requirements and how to submit an assessment, please see Traffic Management Plans.

Inspection Process

Step 1.Site Plan

You will need to submit a Site Plan with your application showing the location of:

  • Details of the proposed works
  • Location of the works
  • Any relevant dimensions
  • Distance of works from the neighbouring property boundaries
  • All existing assets, such as footpath, kerb, vehicle crossings, road construction type, service utility assets, trees, drainage pits, etc.

Step 2.Submit your Application

Complete and submit your application. You will be required to provide:

  • Property and contractor details
  • Period of works
  • Attach a Site Plan
  • Attach a Traffic Management Plan (if required)
  • Pay permit fee

No works can begin, including excavation, until a permit has been issued and all conditions have been met. If any works begin before a Permit is issued, enforcement action will be taken.

Apply and Pay Online

Step 3.Preliminary Site Inspection

Once your application is received, an Authorised Officer will conduct a site visit to assess the proposal. An officer will contact you if a bond is required for the proposed works. The application may be approved, approved with conditions or declined.

Step 4.Permit Issued

If the application is approved, a Permit will be issued (including any additional conditions that apply) as soon as possible but depending on the complexity of the application e.g. public safety considerations, it may take up to 10 business days to finalise your application.

Step 5.Pre Inspection

You are required to notify Council prior to starting any of the following types of work:

  • Pouring of concrete
  • Backfilling of trenches
  • Asphalt sealing
  • Backfilling connection to Council assets

To request an inspection, please complete the online form.

Request an Inspection

Step 6.Final Inspection

You are required to notify Council when works are completed.  The Authorised Officer will inspect the completed works for:

  • Compliance with the relevant Shire Standard and Permit conditions
  • Reinstatement of the Road Reserve to its original condition
  • Any damage to Council assets within the road reserve
  • Any public safety issues created by the works

If any issues are identified at the final inspection, the Authorised Officer will make contact with the responsible person. If no issues are identified, there will be no further contact.

To request an inspection, please complete the online form.

Request an Inspection

 

Examples of Road Opening works

  • Drainage
  • Service connections
  • Excavating the road surface
  • Underground boring
  • Installing minor structures
  • Connection to Council drainage infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our FAQ page

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