Working Within Road Reserves Consent
You need to apply for and receive consent from Council to dig in any part of the road reserve which is managed by Council. This is required when works impact roads, laneways, Council-managed car parks, nature strips or footpaths.
Works that need consent include:
- excavations
- trenching
- core sampling
- connecting services such as water, gas, stormwater and underground power connections
- works that impact traffic
- reinstatement of a Council asset.
Council is the Coordinating Road Authority for streets and laneways (PDF 1.8 MB) within Port Phillip, and VicRoads is the Coordinating Road Authority for freeways and arterial roads, such as Brighton Road.
Exemptions
You are exempt from applying for Working Within Road Reserves consent if your works fit into any of the below categories:
- vehicle crossing - you require a permit under the Local Law
- mowing the roadside or nature strip
- where works are conducted in an emergency situation.
Other exemptions include minor works that are not traffic impact works, and general works that:
- do not consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder
- consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder, where the excavation is less than 8.5m2
- construction, repair or maintenance of a pathway that does not impact any type of vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
Works that consist of, or include, the excavation of an area of a roadway, pathway or shoulder exceeding 8.5m2 are not 'minor works'.
To find out more, download the Road Management Act 2004.
What does the permit cost
Fees are set by the Department of Transport (VicRoads) and are outlined below.
When working in a school zone or where there is a variable speed limit, you will be charged the maximum speed.
A card payment fee applies.
There are no fees payable for notification of completion of works.
General works
General works are any work conducted other than minor works, by a person referred to in Regulation 10(2) that are traffic impact works.
| Road classification | Conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway | Not conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway |
|---|---|---|
Arterial Road | $649.30 | $453.90 |
| Municipal road or non arterial State road where maximum speed limit at anytime is more than 50kph | $647.80 | $353.20 |
| Municipal road or non arterial State road where maximum speed limit at anytime is not more than 50kph | $353.25 | $90.20 |
Minor works
Minor works are conducted by a person referred to in regulation 10(2) that are traffic impact works.
| Road classification | Conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway | Not conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Arterial Road | $240.50 | $142.80 |
| Municipal road or non arterial State road where maximum speed limit at anytime is more than 50kph | $139.80 | $90.20 |
| Municipal road or non arterial State road where maximum speed limit at anytime is not more than 50kph | $139.80 | $90.20 |
How do I lodge my application
Follow these steps to apply online:
- Register or log in using registration details
- Apply for a permit
- Select permit type
- Address
- Lodge
- Confirmation - Accept terms and conditions of use
- Summary - Attach any required documents
- Payment - Securely pay by credit card
Are any other permits required
On most occasions during building works, you may need to use Council’s surrounding assets to work from or for placement or storage of material or equipment.
If so, you may be required to apply for permit approval. Permits may include:
- Skip Bin Permit
- Street Occupation or Hoarding Permit
- Temporary or Permanent Vehicle Crossings
- Work Zone Permit
- Asset Protection Permit
- Out of Hours Permit.
For information please refer to Construction Permits.
Notification of completion of works
The person or organisation who conducted the works must notify Council within seven business days of completing the works, including any reinstatement works. The completed works need to be to Council's standards before the works were commenced.
This period is extended to 14 days for a utility or its agent where the works are exempt from obtaining consent.
You do not need to notify Council if your works:
- do not consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder
To provide notice of completion of works, complete the Notice of Completion of Works form on Online Services.