A Road Opening permit is required before any opening (i.e. excavation) can be performed on Council land, i.e. roads, footpaths, nature strips, or reserves. 
Common reasons for a Road Opening permit include: water tappings; storm water connections; water main construction; and sewer main construction. 

The applicant is required to:

• contact Melbourne One, phone 1100, before commencing any work, to ensure that no underground services are damaged;
• provide a copy of current Public Liability Insurance;
• provide a copy of a Memorandum of Consent from the Coordinating Road Authority, if applicable;
• obtain a Legal Point of Discharge, if applicable;
• provide a relevant Traffic Management Plan showing all safety measures for the management of pedestrian safety measures for the management of pedestrian safety, dimensions, and any obstructions, if applicable;
• provide a relevant site plan/drawing;
• complete the Road Opening Permit Application; and
• pay the application fee of $75.00, permit fee of $95.00, and deposit of $550.00. 

If the opening is in the road surface, a Traffic Management Plan must be submitted and Road Closure permit must also be obtained.

Additionally, a Legal Point of Discharge must be obtained before a permit for stormwater drainage works can be issued.  Please contact Building Solutions on (03) 9209 6253 to apply. 

At the completion of road opening works, the applicant must notify Council within 24 hours by completing a Request for Reinstatement of Road Opening. 

Any excavation must be reinstated to Council requirements.  Should any further work be undertaken by Council to bring the temporary reinstatement up to Council's standards, the cost will be deducted from the security deposit. 

Any opening within the City of Port Phillip must be backfilled with crushed rock, compacted and finished cold mix (pre-mix). 

Should the applicant request that the reinstatement be undertaken by Council, the work will be inspected and final reinstatement will be undertaken within 28 days of receipt of the Request for Reinstatement of Road Opening form.  If applicable, any refund or invoice will be issued within 14 days of completion. 

The security deposit will be refunded on the completion of reinstatement provided that there has not been any damage to Community assets. 

Should reinstatement be undertaken by Council, if applicable, any refund or invoice will be issued on completion of reinstatement. 

Please fax, email or lodge in person the completed application, payment of the application fee, and all associated documents to: City of Port Phillip Development Permits, 99a Carlisle Street St Kilda Victoria 3182, phone (03) 9209 6216, fax (03) 9536 2745, email devpermits@portphillip.vic.gov.au. 

Fees and charges:

• $75.00 application fee +
• $95.00 permit fee +
• $550.00 deposit (area of up to 5 square metres)

Application fees must be paid upon application otherwise the application will not be accepted.  If assessment of the application determines that it is appropriate to issue a permit, all remaining permit fees and charges must be paid prior to the permit being issued. 

Applications take 5 business days to assess provided no further information or changes are required.  Works must not commence without a permit. 

For general information on other Development Permits, please refer to the Development Permits Information Pack.