Works in Road Reserves

A driveway crossover is the section of the driveway from the edge of the roadway to the front property boundary.  In an urban area, this typically consists of a concrete driveway and layback in the kerb and channel.  In a rural area, this typically consist of sealed or unsealed pavement over a reinforced concrete pipe with concrete end-walls.

Driveway crossovers are within the road reserve.  A road reserve us public land containing the road, roadside or nature strip, drains, kerbs, verge or road shoulders depending on your location.

The property owner is responsible for providing and maintaining the driveway crossover under Tasmanian law.  Council is responsible when damage to the driveway crossing is caused by Council works or if Council services need replacing.

All new, replacement, modified or widened driveway crossovers from a Council road require Council approval before works can proceed.  The required Road Reserve Permit is accessible below.

Crossovers from a State road require Department of State Growth approval here: https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/road_permits

The above image shows what parts of a driveway crossover owners are responsible for

Road Reserve Permits are required where it is proposed to:

• Construct, repair or modify a driveway crossover
• Install underground stormwater connections, electrical cables or the like
• Remove road reserve vegetation
• Alter a roadside drain
• New nature strip vegetation or landscaping
• Full or partial road and/or footpath closure
• Temporary storage or goods or material in a road reserve including skip bins
• Occupancy for works or maintenance occurring to buildings adjacent to a road or footpath

An inspection by Council staff will be required, the cost of which is covered in the application fee.

The purpose of the Road Reserve Permit is to:

• Ensure that Council assets are protected
• Avoid conflict with other projects or activities
• Manage the impact on the public.

Your Road Reserve Permit application should include:

• The completed form
• Which Tasmanian Standard Drawing will be used
• Details of your contractors public liability insurance or your house and contents insurance if you are proposing to undertake the works yourself.
• A site plan (such as a copy of your building plans with relevant details added) or neat aerial image showing the location with measurements from key features such as trees, signs pits/turrets etc and the front corners of your property
• Start and end date for works

The driveway crossover is usually on the lower side of the property to assist with drainage.

The location is selected after considering:

• Available sight distances in both directions
• The location of any obstructions such as electricity poles, communication turrets, street signs, marked on-street parking and the like
• The distance from the nearest street intersection.

The Tasmanian Standard Drawings, available at www.lgat.tas.gov.au, specify width, gradient, drainage and other construction standards for urban and rural type driveway crossovers.

In urban areas driveway crossovers must be constructed from concrete.  Coloured or patterned concrete is not accepted.

In rural areas, if the road is sealed the driveway crossover must be sealed.  A culvert pipe will usually be required and must be atleast 300mm in diameter.

Council’s by-law enables a notice to be issued to a property owner to repair or replace a defective driveway.  If the owner does not comply Council can carry out the work at the owner’s cost.

Planning permits for new dwellings or additions will generally require the driveway crossing to be upgraded if required.  Upgrading a driveway independent of any other works will not require planning approval.

Corner lots or lots that have frontages to two public roads may have one driveway crossover per road.  In all other cases multiple driveways are unlikely to be approved unless particular and unique circumstances warrant an alternative.

The driveway crossover constructed by a subdivider may not be in the best location for the design of a new dwelling.  In these instances, a new driveway crossover can be constructed at the owner’s cost.  The owner will need to remove the old driveway crossover and reinstate any kerb and footpath.

These are works undertaken by property owners to subdivide their land and may include roads, accesses, footpaths and services. The roads and stormwater services are then transferred to Council upon completion including their on-going maintenance (after the expiry of the defects liability period). Other Authorities, such as TasWater, take-over and maintain other services such as water and sewer infrastructure.

Notice of Intention to carry out Work

Online Form – Notice of Intention to carry out work

Our Local Highways By-Law regulates and controls activities and conduct on local highways in our Municipality – Local Highway Bylaw 2 of 2015

In most cases, permits are required to undertake any work that may impact upon Council’s infrastructure and assets.

Please speak to an Engineering Officer so they can assess if you require a permit.

Vehicular accesses includes crossovers (urban) and culverts (rural).

A Vehicular Access Application needs to be completed for new, additional, upgrading, repairing and modifying vehicular accesses. Once the application form and associated fee is received, Council will then process it. If approved, Council will issue a Vehicular Crossing Permit with associated conditions. This includes engineering inspection(s) if required.

The owner of the land is responsible for the costs associated with the construction, repair, maintenance and renewal of any Vehicular Crossing servicing that land. All Vehicular Crossings are to be constructed, repaired, maintained or renewed in a manner, and to the standard required by the Council Engineer.

Online Form – Vehicular Crossing (and associated works) Application