Road Occupation Permits
Road Occupation Permits are required under Council's Local Laws and the Road Management
Act 2004 for anyone carrying out works within a road reserve. These works
include, but are not limited to the construction, alteration or
maintenance of:
- vehicle crossings
- vehicle crossing laybacks
- kerb and channel
- vehicle crossing culverts
- water, sewerage, power and stormwater connections
- temporary vehicle crossings
- road and footpath occupation for works
- trees and plantations - (see Nature Strip Planting Guidelines for more information)
You can apply for a Road Occupation Permit online.
The standard application fee is $191.70 (as of 1 July 2022).
In some cases, a higher fee and/or a bond may be required which will be determined by Council's Asset Protection Officer in the assessment phase.
The application will be assessed by Council's Asset Protection Officer with a decision determined within 5 working days. The Applicant will be emailed a permit once the Road Occupation Permit has been approved which is valid for 180 calendar days from the date of issue.
All concrete vehicle crossings and laybacks must be inspected by Council's Asset Protection Officer prior to any concrete being poured. A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for inspections.
Inspections can be booked by emailing assetprotection.officer@basscoast.vic.gov.au or by completing an online inspection request.
Council has Standard Drawings showing minimum requirements for works.
1. Commencement of Works
No works shall commence until a Road Occupation Permit has been approved and allocated an approved permit number.
2. Works Hours and Site Safety
Works are to be carried out during daylight hours where possible. If works are to continue for more than one working day, the worksite shall be left in a safe condition with appropriate barricade etc in place. Warning signs and lights shall be placed in accordance with Australian Standards and the Road Management Act 2004 Worksite Safety – Traffic Management Code of Practice.
3. Traffic Disruption
Disruption to traffic shall be kept to a minimum and follow appropriate traffic control procedures, in accordance with the Road Management Act 2004 Worksite Safety – Traffic Management Code of Practice.
4. Pedestrian Safety
The permit holder shall be responsible for the safe passage of pedestrians through the worksite, and a minimum of 1.5 meters of clear and even access for pedestrians shall be maintained at all times.
5. Authorisation to Excavate
No excavation shall be made across any sealed road surface or pavement unless authorised by the Asset Protection Officer.
6. Concrete Vehicle Crossings
All concrete vehicle crossings must be inspected before any concrete is poured and the Asset Protection Officer must approve any variation to council standard drawings.
7. Reinstatement Procedures
Reinstatement procedures for other surfaces (eg road surfaces, footpaths, nature strips etc) shall be carried out to Council specifications at the permit holders expense. If applicable the security bond will be utilised to undertake reinstatement works.
8. Failure to Comply
with Reinstatement Procedures Failure to comply with these reinstatement procedures will result in the works being reinstated by Council at the permit holder’s expense. pg. 3
9. Indemnity
In taking out this permit, the permit holder agrees to indemnify Council and keep Council indemnified against all loss or damage to the property of Council from and against any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding that may be bought by any person against Council in respect to personal injury to, on the death of any person or loss or damage to any property arising out of or in any way associated with the works hereby permitted.
10. Permit Validity
This permit is valid for 180 calendar days from date of issue. If works are not completed in this time, the current permit will be cancelled and a new permit must then be applied for.
11. Safeguards
Every necessary step must be taken to safeguard Council, neighbouring property owners and other service authorities’ infrastructure.
12. Site Inspection
The permit holder shall, if concerned about the condition of infrastructure in the area of the proposed works, arrange for a site inspection by the Asset Protection Officer. If no inspection is requested it will be deemed that the works area is in good condition, and any damage to infrastructure will be the responsibility of the permit holder.
13. Penalty for Non-Compliance
The penalty for non-compliance with the above conditions is twenty penalty units ($2000) per offence, plus any costs associated with the removal of unpermitted or substandard infrastructure and any reinstatement costs.
The safety and reinstatement of the site is the responsibility of the applicant.
All
road openings that involve excavation, trenching or boring on a Council
road reserve must have a current Road Occupation Permit in place before
any works are carried out. Reinstatement procedures are listed below
and should be considered the minimum standard acceptable to Council. It
is recommended that a Dial Before You Dig enquiry be made by phoning
1100 to ascertain the location of any underground services before works
are carried out. Please note: The opening of any sealed road must be
approved by the Asset Protection Officer.
Excavation Works
Excavations will be straight sided with no reverse slope to interfere with compaction of reinstatement material. The width of excavation should be wide enough to cater for mechanical compaction equipment. One metre clearance between the trench and existing trees is required unless authorised. Utility and service connections should be placed at a minimum of 600mm below ground level.
Reinstatement of an unsealed road opening (Rock Surface)
The trench bed shall be thoroughly compacted before backfilling is carried out. Reinstatement material shall be 20mm, Class 3 F.C.R. and the trench will be reinstated in 150mm layers, mechanically compacted with moisture content at optimum. A crown of approximately 50mm is required to allow for future consolidation.
Reinstatement of a sealed road opening (Bituminous surface)
The trench bed shall be thoroughly compacted before backfilling is carried out. Reinstatement material shall be 20mm, Class3 F.C.R. and the trench will be reinstated in 150mm layers, mechanically compacted with moisture content at optimum. Reinstatement of all bituminous surfaces will be carried out by Bass Coast Shire Council only, at the permit holder’s expense.
Reinstatement of nature strip opening (or similar surface)
The trench bed shall be thoroughly compacted before backfilling. Fill shall be compacted every 150mm as trench is reinstated. A minimum of 100mm of top soil shall be used in the final layer and an appropriate grass sown on the finished surface to complete the restoration. A crown of approximately 50 mm is required to allow for further consolidation.
General
The reinstatement must provide structural adequacy and serviceability that is at least equal to the condition of the site prior to the works. At completion, the works area shall be cleared of all surplus material and left in a neat and tidy condition. Please note: If the reinstatement is not completed to the above minimum standards the permit holder will be liable for any costs associated with bringing the area up to an acceptable standard.
For further information, please contact the Asset Protection Team by:
- Filling out an online request
- Emailing us at assetprotection.officer@basscoast.vic.gov.au
- Calling us during business hours on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or 03 5671 2211.
Please note that heavy vehicles occupying local roads in Bass Coast are now regulated by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and must apply for permission to occupy the road through that organisation.