Works in the road reserve
Any land between the property boundary and the road is identified by Council as a road reserve. Road reserves are Council land and any works that fall within it must be approved by Council before commencement.
If you're planning to undertake works on, over, or under public roads, footpaths, or the road reserve, it's important to get the right approval. Use the guide below to help determine which application form applies to your works.
What kind of work are you doing?
| Type of Work | Use this form |
|---|---|
Investigating or planning public utility works (no physical digging) | |
Excavating, boring, or trenching in the road reserve | |
Connecting new roads, installing awnings, or occupying footpaths with construction materials | Road and Road Reserve Works on Public Infrastructure (Section 138) |
Temporary use of the footpath or road (cranes, skip bins, hoarding, etc.) | Road and Road Reserve Works on Public Infrastructure (Section 138) |
Stormwater drainage connection to kerb, gutter or Council infrastructure | |
Installing private utility into a public utility | |
Building or modifying a driveway (residential or commercial) | |
Streetscape beautification of the road reserve eg: footpath planting |
Note on Classified Roads: If the proposed works are on a classified road, you’ll need concurrence from Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
If you are still unsure about which application is applicable please contact Council via Development.Engineering@portstephens.nsw.gov.au or call 4988 0255.
More about each application
Use the Road Opening Approval and Public Utilities Notification form for:
- Public Utilities Notification (Section 45) – Planning and investigation of public utilities works to be undertaken within the road reserve including electricity, gas, sewerage, telecommunications and water supply.
- Road Opening Permit (Section 138) - Undertaking physical work (bore/excavation) within the road reserve that has a potential impact on Council Assets (Roads, pathways, trenches, stormwater drainage, trees, Kerb and gutter etc)
Use the Road and Road Reserve Works on Public Infrastructure (Section 138 Roads Act) Applicationform to apply for approval to carry out work on, over, or under a public road/footpath/verge area that is under the control of Council. Typical works may include:
- Connection of proposed public roads to existing roads
- Footway paving, private utilities, landscape works, ramps, pipes, connections to roads
- Permanent balconies and awnings, overhead crossings, encroachments by car parking spaces, posts
- Footpath occupation by such items as cranes, hoarding, skip bins, etc.
- Construction Zones
- Connection of stormwater drainage to the kerb and gutter or to Councils stormwater infrastructure
- Installation or construction of private utility to a public utility
Use this Drainage Works on Public Infrastructure (Section 68) Application form to apply for approval to carry out drainage work on, over, or under a public road/footpath/verge area that is under the control of Council including:
- Connection of stormwater drainage to the kerb and gutter or to Councils stormwater infrastructure
- Installation or construction of private utility to a public utility
Use the Driveway Application Form for approval to construct, reconstruct or remove a residential or commercial driveway.
Driveway Applications incur a charge in accordance with the Port Stephens Schedule of Fees and Charges.
- RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS: Upon completion of this form, you will be asked to provide payment to complete the submission of your request.
- INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAYS: The fee is calculated at 4% cost of works, however, this will be reviewed on lodgement and an invoice will be issued for payment.
Developer works in progress:
These are current developer works being undertaken: