Do you need to do work within the road reserve (including the roadway and/or the roadside)? Is the road a freeway or an arterial road? If you want to conduct work in, on, under or over a road, you may need to notify and obtain consent from VicRoads in relation to these works.
The information provided on this website is provided for guidance only and does not override the requirements of the Road Management Act 2004 and Regulations, or any other Act, regulations and Government Policy.
(a) Determine if the proposed works are exempt
The Road Management Act requires you to:
- Notify the coordinating road authority of any proposed installation of non-road infrastructure and related works; and/or
- Obtain consent from the coordinating road authority prior to commencing work; and/or
- Notify the coordinating road authority following completion of works.
Some exemptions or variations to these requirements may apply.
(b) Determine which road authority to contact (i.e. coordinating road authority) and submit your notification or application for consent.
Note: VicRoads is the coordinating road authority for freeways and arterial roads.
For further guidance regarding the requirements which must be follwed when working in a road reserve, please refer to this document: 
Guide to working in The Road Reserve [PDF, 663KB, 12 pp.]
For additonal information including FAQ's, process chart and examples, access the following file, Companion To A Guide To Working In The Road Reserve [PDF, 701KB, 33 pp.]
There are some works that do not require you to notify, or obtain the consent of the coordinating road authority. These works are identified below.
Note: Consent must be obtained for all works on freeways.
General exemptions
General exemptions to notification and consent apply to the following works on arterial roads, where those works are not 'traffic impact works' :
- Driveway works; and
- Mowing the roadside (eg mowing nature strips)
Emergency works
Consent is not required where works are conducted in an emergency by, or with the authority of, the relevant infrastructure manager e.g utility, or provider of public transport. Notification of completed works must still be provided to VicRoads on freeways and arterial roads (where the works involve roadway, pathway or shoulder).
Other exemptions
Other exemptions apply depending on the type of organisation and nature of the work.
If you are a utility company (or its agent) or a provider of public transport (or its agent) then you must obtain consent and notify VicRoads for all works on arterial roads except as detailed below.
A utility company (or its agent) or a provider of public transport (or its agent) is exempt from notifying VicRoads of the proposed Installation of Non-Road Infrastructure or related works on arterial roads. Consent from VicRoads and notification following the completion of the works is required. Other exemptions are shown in the following table
ACTIVITY
|
EXEMPT FROM:
Prior Notification |
EXEMPT FROM:
Consent |
EXEMPT FROM:
Completed Works Notification |
|
Minor works that are not 'traffic impact works' and do not consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Minor works that are not 'traffic impact works' and do consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder. |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
If you are a responsible road authority (or its agent) but not the coordinating road authority, then you must obtain consent and notify VicRoads for all works on arterial roads except as detailed below.
A responsible road authority (or its agent) is exempt from notifying VicRoads of the proposed Installation of Non-Road Infrastructure or related works on arterial roads. Consent from VicRoads and notification following the completion of the works is required. Other exemptions are shown in the following table:
| ACTIVITY |
EXEMPT FROM:
Prior Notification |
EXEMPT FROM:
Consent |
EXEMPT FROM:
Completed Works Notification |
| Minor works that are not 'traffic impact works' and do not consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Minor works that are not 'traffic impact works' and do consist of, or include, the excavation of any part of a roadway, pathway or shoulder. |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Construction, repair or maintenance of a pathway that is not 'traffic impact works'. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
If you are the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (or its agent) or the Country Fire Authority (or its agent) then you must notify and obtain consent from VicRoads for all works on arterial roads except as shown in the table below:
| ACTIVITY |
EXEMPT FROM:
Prior Notification |
EXEMPT FROM:
Consent |
EXEMPT FROM:
Completed Works Notification |
| Works consisting of the inspection or maintenance of the water valves under its management, not being 'traffic impact works'. |
Not Applicable |
Yes |
Yes |
The relevant coordinating road authority for each type of road is provided below:
- All freeways and arterial roads (listed in VicRoads Register of Public Roads) – contact VicRoads region (listed in VicRoads Offices and Contacts)
- Municipal roads – contact the local council
- Non-arterial roads – contact the responsible body (e.g. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Alpine Resort Management Boards, etc.).
From the Maps of Declared Roads you are able to search for any road within Victoria and determine if it is a freeway, arterial road, non arterial State road or a municipal road (shown as local roads).
All notifications or applications for consent ( see forms below) relating to works on a freeway or an arterial road are to be sent to the relevant VicRoads regional office, shown on the Maps of Declared Roads.
Email with relevant file attachments (see email addresses) or deliver/post directly to the regional office.
Contact the relevant local council for enquiries regarding municipal (local) roads.
Email submissions (View the application form in MS Excel or CSV format only)
WorksWithinRoadReserveForm20091311.xls
- Launch the .XLS form
- Enter the required information
- Allocate a unique number for your organisation as the "Applicants Ref:"
- Email with any other relevant/required plans or documents in either .PDF or .DOC format. The title/subject line of your email must contain your unique reference number.
- Payment to be forwarded to relevant the VicRoads Regional office.
For further details for electronic submission, please refer to the following document, Protocols for Electronic Lodgement of Application for Consent [PDF, 644KB, 13 pp.].
There is only a fee payable for an application for consent, based on the road classification and work type. The fees are expressed in fee units with the equivalent dollar amount in brackets.
No fees are payable for notification of proposed works or notification of completed works.
|
Road Classification |
Works, other than minor works |
Works, other than minor works |
Minor Works |
Minor Works |
|
Conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway. |
Not conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway. |
Conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway. |
Not conducted on any part of the roadway, shoulder or pathway. |
| Freeway |
45.0
($526.10) |
32.0
($374.10) |
25.0
($292.30) |
10.0
($116.90) |
|
Arterial Road |
45.0
($526.10) |
25.0
($292.30) |
11.5
($134.40) |
10.0
($116.90) |
|
Municipal road or non arterial State road where maximum speed limit at any time is more than 50kph |
45.0
($526.10) |
25.0
($292.30) |
11.5
($134.40) |
5.0
($58.50) |
|
Municipal road or non arterial State road where maximum speed limit at any time is not more than 50kph |
20.0
($233.80) |
5.0
($58.50) |
11.5
($134.40) |
5.0
($58.50) |
Note: As at 1 July 2009, one fee unit equals $11.69. Fees are reviewed each financial year and changes (if any) apply from 1 July each year.
All notifications and applications for consent (including those delivered or mailed) will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of the submission together with a VicRoads reference number and contact details for any enquiries relating to that submission.
If all appropriate information is provided, VicRoads will respond in writing within 20 business days of receipt of the application.
This period is varied for the following utility works:
- 15 business days for supply extensions; and
- 3 business days for a service connection that is provided, or intended to be provided by a utility.
Where a response has not been made within these periods, VicRoads is to be taken to have given written consent for the proposed works.
If you are proposing to carry out roadworks in association with the subdivision or development of land adjoining an arterial road (eg road widening, deceleration lane, traffic signals), an application for consent (including payment of the relevant consent application fee) must be sent to VicRoads. When issuing its written consent, VicRoads will include as part of any special conditions regarding the conduct of the works a requirement that ‘certification audits’ be undertaken to ensure that the works are being carried out to VicRoads satisfaction and in accordance with any planning permit conditions, approved design drawings and specifications. To undertake the ‘certification audits’, you may either:
- pay a pre-estimated fee to engage VicRoads services to conduct certification audits of the proposed roadworks on your behalf; or alternatively
- engage a surveillance service provider yourself, as agreed by VicRoads, to conduct the certification audits.
The ‘certification audits’ fee (which will be reviewed and indexed annually) ranges from $3,296 (for minor rural arterial roadworks with a value generally less than $50,000) up to $8,838 (for major urban arterial roadworks with a value generally greater than $150,000). For large, complex projects, fees will be determined on an individual project basis. For further details, please contact your nearest VicRoads Regional office.
Any dispute about consent or the conditions imposed on the consent, should be resolved by negotiation between the applicant and the relevant VicRoads officer.
If the dispute has not been resolved by these negotiations, VicRoads, upon receipt of written notification of the dispute, will seek to apply the following dispute resolution process:
Resolution by:
- those closest to the workface. If not resolved within 10 working days escalation to;
- line managers. If not resolved within 10 working days, escalation to;
- Chief Executive Officers or their nominees. If not resolved within 10 working days, escalation to;
- relevant road and utility Ministers or their nominees.
Unless exempt, the person or organisation who conducted the works must notify the coordinating road authority within 7 business days of completing the works, including any reinstatement works.
This period is extended to the 14th day of the month next following the completion of works for a utility or its agent where it is exempt from the requirement to obtain consent.
Minor works means -
a. works consisting of:
i. installation, repair or maintenance of aerial cables or other overhead non-road infrastructure; or
ii. the connection of a consumer to a service provided by, or intended to be provided by, a utility other
than 'supply extension works'
b. works consisting of the repair or maintenance of street lighting;
c. works consisting of the excavation of:
i. any part of a road other than a roadway, pathway or shoulder; or
ii. an area of a roadway, pathway or shoulder not exceeding 8.5 square metres;
d. works consisting of using an access hole for the purpose of accessing, repairing or maintaining
infrastructure under a road;
e. works consisting of the installation, repair or maintenance of traffic control items carried out in accordance
with the Road Safety Act 1986 and Regulations under that Act;
f. works consisting of:
i. the repair or maintenance of poles; or
ii. the replacement or relocation of a single pole in an urban area (not being part of a replacement or
relocation of 2 or more consecutive poles);or
iii. the replacement or relocation of not more than 3 poles in an area other than an urban area (not being
part of a replacement or relocation of more than 3 consecutive poles);
g. works consisting of pruning a tree or vegetation;
h. works consisting of the removing of a tree or other vegetation:
i. by a road authority or an agent of a road authority; or
ii. by a utility or an agent of a utility in accordance with an Act other than the Road Management Act
2004, see the Victorian Law Today website;
i. works, other than works referred to above, conducted for the purpose of repair, inspection, operation or
testing of an asset for the purposes of a survey.
but does not include works that consist of, or include -
j the excavation of an area of a rodway, pathway or shoulder that exceeds 8.5 square metres, or
k. works within a road reserve on or in the vicinity of a level crossing within the meaning of section 221U of the
Transport Act 1983;
Supply extension works means the connection of a consumer to a service provided, or intended to be provided by a utility-
a. in an urban area, by means of:
i. underground works over a distance exceeding 100 metres; or
ii. overhead works involving more than one pole.
b. in any other area, by means of:
i. underground works over a distance exceeding 300 metres; or
ii. overhead works involving more than 3 poles.
Traffic impact works means works:
a. conducted:
i. on a freeway; or
ii. on an arterial road and that require deviation of vehicular traffic into an on-coming traffic lane; or
iii. in a clearway when it is in operation; or
iv. on, or partly on, or that affect, a bridge or other structure; or
b. that require the closure to vehicular traffic of a part of a roadway for a continuous period of more than 12
hours or for more than 24 hours in 7 days; or
c. that require the deviation (to a different road), replacement or cancellation of a tram or bus operated by a
provider of public transport; or
d. that causes a significant delay to a tram or bus operated by a provder of public transport; or
e. that have a significant impact on access to a bus stop or tram stop; or
f. that cause a significant delay to traffic on an arterial road or municipal road;
If you require further information in relation to working within the road reserve of a freeway or an arterial road, you should contact the VicRoads regional office or telephone 13 11 71.
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