The road reserve extends from property boundary to property boundary and includes, but is not limited to, the road pavement, kerb and channel, nature strip, footpath and vehicle crossing.
You will need a Works within Road Reserve Permit if you need to carry out works in the road reserve, including connecting services such as crossover construction, water connection, and underground power supply or storm water.
Please note: Council MUST inspect the crossover or works in the road reserve before any concrete is poured, and after it is completed, to make sure that the permit conditions are followed and to guarantee the longevity of the crossover.
A Works Within Road Reserve permit assists Council in protecting its assets from potential damage caused by building works, ensure public safety and record what and who is conducting works within the Shire.
These permits also ensure that the proposed works meet the appropriate standards. You can find information below to answer any questions you have about Works Within Road Reserve Permits.
Council consent is required to conduct any works within a road reserve where Baw Baw Shire Council is the responsible road management authority.
If the works are proposed on a declared arterial road managed by the Department of Transport (DoT, VicRoads, Regional Roads Victoria), a planning permit is required under the Planning Scheme of Victoria.
A list of roads managed by Regional Roads Victoria within Baw Baw Shire can be found here.(PDF, 83KB)
Works that require a Works Within Road Reserves Permit are:
- Road openings - subdivision works.
- Storm water connections - please note that legal point of discharge approval is required.
- Sewer connection - please note that Gippsland Water approval is required.
- Gas tie in.
- Hoarding - approved traffic/pedestrian management plan is required. Please note that parking bays will only be allocated to your worksite if you require a storage or skip bin to be placed in that location.
- Road reserve occupation.
- Removal of vegetation - an approved planning permit may be required.
The current permit application fee is $194.30
This fee is reviewed annually during Council’s annual budget review process and is subject to change at any time.
The payment of a bond is also required. This will be invoiced separately upon assessment of your application and scope of works. The bond limit is $3000.
When completing your application form, you will need the following information:
- Your name and company name.
- Your address and basic contact information.
- The address and location of the proposed works.
- A detailed scope of the proposed works.
- An approved planning permit and endorsed plans for subdivision works.
- A site plan of the proposed works, showing the location of Council assets such as NBN pits, storm water pits, fire hydrants, sign posts and street trees.
- Proof of public liability insurance.
- An approved traffic management plan (TMP) and memorandum of authorisation (MoA).
- An approved planning permit if vegetation is to be removed.
How long will my application take to process?
Works Within Road Reserve permits may take 5-10 business days to process.
How long is my permit valid for?
Works Within Road Reserve permits are valid for 3 - 12 months from the date of issue, depending upon the scope of the works.
Following completion of the building works, you will need to notify Council by:
Following notification of the works being completed, Council’s Asset Protection Officer (APO) will inspect the site to determine if any damage has occurred to Council assets during the permitted works.
Following a satisfactory inspection by the APO, you will be provided notification of this outcome, and your bond refund will be actioned.
Following an unsatisfactory inspection by the APO, the applicant will be notified of the outcome and advised to repair the damage to Council standards as per Council’s enforcement process.
Non-compliance to this request will see the security bond being retained by Council to repair the damaged asset, and any additional costs for the repair will be invoiced to the permit holder.
Your security bond will be reimbursed within 21 days following a satisfactory inspection.
To apply for a Works Within Road Reserve permit click on the link below to complete the online form.
Click here to apply online
A hard copy form can obtained at any Council’s Customer Service Centre.
To lodge your application, please email the completed form and supporting documentation to the Asset Protection Team or visit one of our Customer Service Centres.
A Nature Strip Modification permit assists Council in ensuring the safety of pedestrians and motorists in urban settings by ensuring that any proposed nature strip modifications meet Council approved guidelines. Please note that tree requests will not be accepted.
Council's Urban Nature Strip Guidelines specify the types of modifications that are acceptable, and the Approved Planting List specifies the types of plants allowed. These should be read prior to submitting an application to modify a nature strip.
If you plan on having anything other than grass on your nature strip, you need a nature strip modification permit. This will ensure that your proposed plan meets the required guidelines and will not provide any safety issues for the community, nor cause any damage to Council, or other organisations assets.
If you are replacing the existing grass on your nature strip, you do not need to apply for a permit.
The current permit application fee is $194.30
This fee is reviewed annually during Council’s annual budget review process.
Once Council has reviewed and approved your application, an invoice will be sent to your nominated email address in order for you to make payment. This invoice must be paid prior to the permit being issued.
When completing your application form, you will need the following information:
- Your name.
- Your address and basic contact information.
- Your Dial Before You Dig report
- To have read and understood the Urban Nature Strip Guidelines(PDF, 3MB) and Approved Planting List.(PDF, 6MB)
- The scope of the proposed works, including:
- Existing property boundaries, driveways, footpath, Council street trees (if any).
- Proposed modification plan, including layout and a list of plants you wish to use.
- Flat areas for rubbish bins.
How long will my application take to process?
Nature Strip Modification permits may take 5-10 business days to process.
Can I start work on my nature strip before I get my permit?
No works are to commence until an official permit letter is received and signed by Council's Asset Protection Officer.
How long is my permit valid for?
Nature Strip Modification permits do not have an expiry date. If you move house and the new resident wants to remove the modification, the permit will be expired once the nature strip has been reinstated to grass.
To apply for an Urban Nature Strip Modification Permit click on the link below to complete the online form.
Click here to apply
A hard copy form can be obtained at any Council’s Customer Service Centre.
To lodge your application, please email the completed form and supporting documentation to the Asset Protection Team, or visit one of our Customer Service Centres.
An Asset Protection permit assists Council in protecting its assets from potential damage caused by building works, ensure public safety and record what and who is conducting works within the Shire. These assets include:
- Roads
- Drains
- Nature strips and trees
- Kerb & Channel
- Footpath
- Signage
- Other Council owned infrastructure
It is important to note that the Community Local Law 2016 (Part 5.2 & 5.3) requires that a person in charge of the building works or a building site must obtain the Asset Protection Permit.
This excludes pools and storage containers where the homeowner is accepted as being the applicant.
You can find information below to answer any questions you have about Asset Protection Permits.
Your Asset Protection permit covers assets that are in front of the property nominated on your application, as well as the assets in front of the abutting properties.
It is a requirement of the Community Local Law 2016 (Part 5.2 & Part 5.3) that a person in charge of conducting building works or a building site must attain an Asset Protection permit prior to the commencement of any building works.
This excludes pools and storage containers where the homeowner is accepted as being the applicant.
Building works include but are not limited to:
- starting any construction activity which includes but is not limited to scraping, clearing of the block, building works or demolition works on the property; or,
- having construction materials or equipment delivered to the property.
Other situations where you will need to apply for an Asset Protection permit include:
- requiring a storage container to be located on your nature strip
- landscaping works that require machinery
- installing a pool on your property
- installing a medium to large shed on your property
The current permit application fee is $264.40 as of the 1st July 2024. This fee is reviewed annually during Council’s annual budget review process and is subject to change.
Council has just commenced a 12 month trial where NO BOND payments will be required for Asset Protection permits for Residential Construction ONLY.
To complete your application, you'll need the following information:
- Builder or contractor's company name.
- Builder or contractor's company address.
- Builder or contractor's contact information.
- The address and location of the proposed works.
- The property owners details.
- Clear photos of existing conditions of the nature strip and any existing damage to Council Assets (footpaths, nature strip trees, pits, kerb and channel) utility assets and crossovers in front of worksite and adjacent properties.
- Pre-works document noting the existing conditions of the nature strip and any existing damage to Council Assets (footpaths, nature strip trees, pits, kerb and channel) utility assets and crossovers in front of worksite and adjacent properties.
- Proof of public liability insurance in the amount of $20 million.
How long will my application take to process?
Asset Protection permits may take between 2 - 5 business days to process.
How long is my permit valid for?
Asset Protection permits are valid up to 12 months from the date of issue.
Following completion of the building works, you will need to notify Council by:
Following notification of the works being completed, Council’s Asset Protection Officer (APO) will inspect the site to determine if any damage has occurred to Council assets during the permitted works.
Following a satisfactory inspection by the APO you will be provided notification of this outcome, and your bond refund will be actioned (if applicable).
Following an unsatisfactory inspection by the APO the applicant will be notified of the outcome and advised to repair the damage to Council standards as per Council’s enforcement process.
Non-compliance to this request will result in a Notice To Comply (NTC) to be issued after three failed inspections. If damage is still not repaired, an Infringement of $500 will be sent and an external Contractor may be engaged by Council to reinstate the damage. This cost is to be covered by the party responsible for failing to repair the damage.
Your security bond will be reimbursed within 21 days of the information being sent to the Finance Department, following a satisfactory inspection.
To apply for a Asset Protection Permit click on the link below to complete the online form.
Click here to apply online
A hard copy form can be obtained at Council's Customer Service Centre.
To lodge your application, please email the completed form and supporting documentation to the Asset Protection team or visit one of Council’s Customer Service Centres.
Formally known as a Crossover Permit, a Driveway Access permit is required by Council to construct, alter or remove driveway access to your property from a Council maintained road.
These permits are required to ensure that the proposed access works meet the appropriate standards and protect Council assets during construction. A visual representation of driveway access guidelines can be found here.(PDF, 345KB)
You can find information below to answer any questions you have about Driveway Access Permits.
Council consent is required to conduct any works within a road reserve where Baw Baw Shire Council is the responsible road management authority.
If the works are proposed on a declared arterial road managed by the Department of Transport (DoT, VicRoads, Regional Roads Victoria), a planning permit is required under the Planning Scheme of Victoria.
A list of roads managed by Regional Roads Victoria within Baw Baw Shire can be found here.(PDF, 83KB)
Who should take out a Driveway Access permit?
Council recommends that the permit be applied for by the contractor/concreter that is completing the works, as they will hold the required Public Liability Insurance.
There are three types of driveway access standards, these are detailed below:
- Residential - Installed where there is a footpath and/or kerb and channel present.
- Rural - Installed in rural areas where no footpath, kerb and/or channel are present.
- Industrial - Installed for commercial businesses with heavy machinery using the crossing.
Can I have a tree moved to fit in my driveway access?
Street trees can only be removed or relocated by a Council Officer. The fee for this service will be invoiced to the homeowner.
Depending on the type and size of the tree in question, these costs may increase. List of current fees can be found here.(PDF, 295KB)
Payment of the invoice is required after the assessment of the tree. Any works required relating to the tree will be undertaken by Council’s Infrastructure Maintenance team, with this process taking up to four weeks to complete.
What if I have a storm water pit blocking my driveway access?
If your access point is closer than one metre from the edge of the storm water pit, then the homeowner is responsible for upgrading the pit lid to a ‘CLASS C’ type.
If the storm water pit is an open face drain and needs to be incorporated into driveway access, the homeowner will need to upgrade the pit to a ‘CLASS D’ grate lid.
Is it simple to relocate Council infrastructure to fit in my driveway access?
This is not always the case, and any associated costs will be the responsibility of the homeowner. Council’s Asset Protection Officer (APO) can guide you on the best location for your access point if there are a number of assets on your nature strip.
What if I have an NBN, Telstra pit or fire hydrant blocking my driveway access?
If an NBN or Telstra pit are located within 1 metre of the driveway access point, a ‘CLASS B’ trafficable lid is to be installed.
If a fire hydrant is located within the crossover or within 1 meter of a Gippsland Water asset, an approved lid must be installed.
Yes, as long as there is a minimum distance of nine metres between the crossovers at the road boundary in an urban area.
The current permit application fee is $203.80 for each driveway access point.
Multiple access points can be applied for on the one application form.
This fee is reviewed annually during Council’s annual budget review process and is subject to change at any time.
Before you submit your application, you'll need the following information:
- Concreters business name.
- Concreters business contact information.
- Concreters business address.
- The property owners details.
- Details of the proposed works, including the width of the crossover/s.
- A site plan of the area, showing the location of the proposed crossover/s and other assets such as NBN pits, stormwater pits, fire hydrants, signposts or street trees.
- Proof of public liability insurance.
- Written permission from the applicable authority if an NBN or utility pit is to be located within your driveway access point.
Council's Asset Protection Officer will review the following:
- Does the proposed location offer a safe sight distance for approaching vehicles (with 200 metres of sight distance desired in rural areas)?
- Will drainage be affected?
- Is there two meters from the crossover to a street tree?
- Will other significant vegetation be impacted?
- Are there any assets such as storm water drains, fire hydrants, Telstra pits, light posts or signposts within one metre of the proposed crossover?
- Will there be adequate street parking left available after the crossover is constructed?
How long will my application take to process?
Driveway Access permits may take 5-10 business days to process.
Can I start work on my driveway access before I get my permit?
No works are to commence in the road reserve until an official permit letter is received and signed by Council's Asset Protection Officer.
How long is my permit valid for?
Driveway Access permits are valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
Following receipt of your permit from Council, work can now commence in the road reserve to construct your driveway access point.
Please contact Council a minimum of 24 hours prior to pouring the concrete to book an inspection with the Asset Protection Officer to ensure Council standards have been met.
Contact Council’s Asset Protection team by: calling 5624 2411; or by emailing works@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au
To apply for a Driveway Access Permit click on the link below to complete the online form.
Click here to apply online
A hard copy form can be obtained at any Council’s Customer Service Centre.
To lodge your hard copy application, please email the completed form to Asset Protection team or visit a Customer Service Centre.
Compliant crossovers between private properties and roadways improve safety for both vehicle users and pedestrians by minimising hazards associated with incorrectly installed infrastructure, such as tripping hazards caused by cracking and inadequate drainage leading to slippery surfaces.
To help improve public safety of community members, Council is aiming to reduce the number of non-compliant crossovers across the Shire and encourages the installation of compliant, sealed driveways and crossovers in urban areas.
The reduction in non-compliant crossovers will not only improve safety, but also lead to a reduction in damage to Council assets caused by vehicles driving across them from non-compliant crossovers.
Many crossovers (also known as driveway access points), especially in urban areas, are non-compliant and constructed with inappropriate materials.
The use of non-compliant crossovers by vehicles leads to damage to footpaths, nature strips, kerbing and roadways when inappropriate materials are used to support the weight of vehicles while using the crossover.
Non-compliant crossovers and inappropriate materials can cause mud and rocks to be dragged onto the road and footpath, which can create a safety hazard for other vehicles and pedestrians, as well as cause further damage to the road surface.
Each year Council spends approximately $120,000 repairing damage to footpaths that could otherwise be avoided.
Council will soon be undertaking an inspection program to identify and reduce the number of non-compliant crossovers in Baw Baw.
Council will be undertaking crossover inspections in urban areas from July 2023.
Properties found to have a non-compliant crossover may be served with a notice requiring them to bring their crossover into compliance at their own cost.
Notices will be issued following the inspection program and will be sent from August onwards.
Property owners are required to provide an appropriate crossover to access their property in accordance with the Baw Baw Shire Local Law.
Council’s Local Law requires a suitable crossover to be installed at any point where vehicles access private property from Council assets, such as roadways and nature strips.
In urban areas, a crossover is required to constructed out of concrete with mesh reinforcement, however, in semi-rural and rural areas, crossovers may be constructed out of sealed materials such as asphalt or concrete only when abutting a sealed roadway.
Council’s crossover compliance standards are based off the Local Government Infrastructure Design Association’s Infrastructure Design Manual(PDF, 2MB) which provides Councils with guidelines for the development of their infrastructure.
Council’s Asset Protection Team can help you ensure that the crossover you are having installed at your property complies with the relevant design standards and Local Law.
Through a Driveway Access Permit, our team will provide advice about the location of your proposed crossover in relation to other assets, such as street trees, utility services, light posts, signs, and other important infrastructure.
Once your location is approved and your contractor is ready to pour the concrete, we’ll conduct an inspection of the materials used to make sure your crossover will be compliant and using it won’t create costly damage.
More information about Driveway Access Permits, including the online application form, can be found here.
Got questions? We are happy to help!
If you would like to submit a question, click here. Alternatively, you can send us an email or contact our Asset Protection Team on 5624 2411.
Your building site must comply with the Community Local Law 2016 - Schedule 3 Building and Works Code of Practice.
You must obtain an asset protection permit before undertaking any building work on a building site, or receiving materials and equipment on a building site or areas immediately adjacent.
A building site must have adequate toilet facilities for site workers, suitable rubbish receptacles, adequate fencing around the site perimeter, and adequate site identification to the satisfaction of an authorised officer.
Do not dispose of sediment, slurry, mud, clay or debris in a public place.