Driveways & works

Gaining approval to build a driveway or other works on Council land

Approval must be granted before commencing any excavation and/or construction on public land. A Civil Works application must be submitted to council for assessment and approval under Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993, in addition to a Development Application (DA) approval. These works are covered by Council’s Driveways and Developer Funded Works Policy PDF, 113.66 KB.

Civil Works include, but are not limited to:

  • Driveways/Access paths within public road reserves
  • Any works in, on or over a public road, including footpath and nature strip areas (e.g. footpath, kerb and gutter, drainage connections to Council stormwater pit/pipe).
  • Work on an existing structure; or construct a new structure within (on/above/under) the public road reserve

Application process

StepsDescription
Step 1
Step 1
  • Submit application online
  • Council staff check your documents, confirm receipt & request for payment of application fee

Step 2

Step 2

  • Council Staff conduct onsite checks on alignment levels, street trees & drainage
  • Council staff check or create driveway design

Step 3

Step 3

  • Approval to proceed sent
  • Applicant to send Council contractor license and Public Liability Insurance
  • Applicant to make payment for associated deposit and charges

Step 4

Step 4

  • Applicant to book pre pour inspection with 2 working days notice
  • Council staff attend site and issue approval to proceed

Step 5

Step 5

  • Applicant can commence construction

Step 6

Step 6

  • Applicant request final approval
  • Council staff conduct final inspection and issue approval

Step 7

Step 7

  • Occupation certificate granted
  • Refund damage deposit

How to apply

Read our “FAQs” before commencing.  Click here to apply Civil Works Online Application Form

Information to include in your application if you have:

Complying Development Certificates (CDC)Development Application (DA)Repair or Replace Existing driveway Site Plan
Site PlanDA numberN/A
Survey PlanSite Plan 
Optional – design of drivewayOptional – design of driveway

Fees

The fee for each driveway is set out in Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges

Fees include:

  • Application fee
  • Inspection fee (includes initial inspection, pre pour inspection and final inspection)
  • Check or create design
  • Damage deposit (based off the total cost of works and is refunded once approval is given after the final inspection)

Application fee

Once your application has been assessed and the information supplied meets the requirements you will be required to make payment. You will also be required to make payment before the final approval is granted.

Payment method

There are two ways to make payments:

1. Through Council’s Application Payments page

  • Go to ‘Other Payment’
  • Choose ‘Application Payment’ and click ‘Next’
  • Enter the 6 digit ‘Payment Reference Number’ e.g. 123456
  • Complete the payment credit card details

2. In Person by cash, cheque, credit card or Eftpos at

Council's Customer Service Centre 30 Frances Street, Randwick
8.30am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday

FAQs

Q: When can I start construction?

A: Construction of works on public land must not commence until you receive written consent from Council.

Q: Do I need to have a car space on my property to have a driveway?

A: YES. You must have existing side access or a planning approval for a car space within the property before applying for the construction of a new driveway.

Q: I already have had an approval from Council (through a DA, CDC, or ECD) do I need a separate approval for construction of a pathway and/or driveway before commencing construction?

A: Yes. The construction of a driveway and other works on public land require separate approval and are not covered by forms of planning approval like Development Applications (DA), Complying Development Certificates (CDC) or Exempt and Complying Development (ECD) and require a separate approval from Council.

Q I have an existing driveway, do I need Council Approval before I start repairs?

A: Yes. Modifications or repairs to existing driveways also requires Council’s approval.

Q: What if I decide not to get approval from Council?

A: If a driveway or other works are constructed on Council's nature strip or road reserve without a civil works approval, it may be removed by Council and the area restored at your expense.

Q: What material can the driveway be made of?

A: Council driveways in residential areas are to be of plain white concrete finish. No other materials will be accepted.

Q: Can I get my own designs done, are there any requirements?

A: Yes. For details on design requirements and layout contact Council directly.

Q: Can I chose my own contractor to construct the driveway?

A: Yes. Before construction starts you will need to provide Council with

  1. $10,000,000 public liability insurance cover
  2. Prior evidence of satisfactory workmanship
  3. Ability to comply with SafeWork NSW and Work Health and Safety (Including Traffic Control in compliance with Australian Standard 1742.3 – Traffic Control for Works on Roads)
  4. Selected contractors must be capable of completing all works shown on issued construction plans including drainage, roadworks and soft landscaping to Council's specifications

Q: When do I receive my bond back?

A: You must request a final inspection with Council. After the final inspection and if Council are satisfied with how the public land has been restored you will then receive your occupation certificate and your damage deposit.

Need help

If you would like to discuss your application proposal or require clarification, please contact Customer Service:

Last Updated: 26 May 2023
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