Should development of a site need to temporarily utilise the road reserve as part of development/building/maintenance works, you must apply using the Road Work Permit application form. If specified on the application, and subsequently approved, the road works permit may also allow the creation of a works zone, or the use of hoarding, scaffolds, or gantries. The conditions and guidelines specific to works zones, hoarding, scaffolds and gantries are described in the following guidelines.
Subordinate Local Law 1.15 (Carrying out works on a road or interfering with a road or its operation) 2011 provides the legislative framework.
The following standards and publications (not an exhaustive list) set out necessary safety precautions and requirements:
This section sets out the basic criteria that all works incorporating works zones, scaffold/gantries and hoarding need to address.
Additional criteria specific to works zones, scaffold/gantries and hoarding are provided in their individual sections below.
Application requirements
The Road Work Permit application form must be submitted at least 10 business days (not including weekends or public holidays) prior to commencing the works, so that sufficient time is allowed for the assessment.
The information required as part of the application:
Application requirement | Works zone | Scaffold/gantry | Hoarding |
Pre-application meeting with council asset inspector | Yes | Yes | If required. |
A traffic guidance plan compliant with Part 3 of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices | Yes | If the footpath will be blocked to pedestrians at any stage. | If the footpath will be blocked to pedestrians at any stage. |
Letter of no objection (LONO) from council (required when there will be change of traffic conditions on road or footpath) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A police permit (will need letter of no objection from council to get this permit) | If full or partial road closure will be required at any time, of if traffic flow will be impeded. | If full or partial road closure will be required at any time, of if traffic flow will be impeded. | If full or partial road closure will be required at any time, of if traffic flow will be impeded. |
A copy of the applicant’s certificate of currency (insurance and indemnity for $20 million) | If requested. | Yes | If requested. |
A road corridor permit from the Department of Transport and Main Roads | If the works will be within 150 m of a state-controlled road, or if the works will affect traffic associated with a state-controlled road. | If the works will be within 150 m of a state-controlled road, or if the works will affect traffic associated with a state-controlled road. | If the works will be within 150 m of a state-controlled road, or if the works will affect traffic associated with a state-controlled road. |
A completed Application for a road work permit form, including a site plan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The road work permit application fee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional fees for use of regulated parking bays as part of works | Yes | ||
Pavement deterioration report/photos | If damage is identified by the applicant before commencement of works. | If damage is identified by the applicant before commencement of works. | If damage is identified by the applicant before commencement of works. |
Engineer’s certification of structure stability (once structure complete) | Within 24 hours of structure completion. | If required, within 24 hours of structure completion. |
The applicant must indemnify council against any claims whatsoever including all costs and expenses arising from the works. A higher level of indemnification is required for higher risk works. The applicant must provide a certificate of currency with the application for a Road Work Permit for a minimum of $20 million.
If approved by council, the term of approval (which may be up to a maximum term of 12 months) will be as noted on the approved Roadwork Permit. Any extension to this term must be approved by council.
The applicant is responsible for determining the location of all services and equipment of other authorities in the described area, and taking steps to protect any such equipment and services that are identified. If any damage is caused by the applicant’s works, the applicant must report this to the relevant service provider and council immediately and take responsibility for the cost of repairs.
Safe pedestrian access must be provided past the works area at all times. If the footpath is closed, then alternative arrangements are required, with an appropriate traffic management system in place that complies with MUTCD3. The walkway/footpath must be reopened as soon as possible. The alternative pedestrian footpath (including ramps) will preferably be a minimum of 1.8 m wide. The minimum acceptable width is 1.5 m.
Traffic control related to the development works must be compliant with MUTCD3, Townsville City Plan Policy SC6.4.6 Control of Traffic and the drawings (drafted by a qualified/certified person or traffic control company) attached to the application for a Road Work Permit.
The applicant/contractor retains ultimate responsibility for traffic control and management and is responsible for ensuring that the guidance system is adequately designed, installed correctly and regularly reviewed on site. A Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) must be submitted in support of a letter of no objection.
The extent of work includes the provision of qualified traffic controllers, signposting, road markings, raised pavement markers, lights, barriers and any other items required.
Obstruction and inconvenience to the public is to be kept to a minimum.
A letter of no objection (LONO) from Council will be required when there will be change of traffic conditions on the road or footpath, e.g. traffic speed will change. Section 7 contains contact details for where to make the request for the LONO. You will need a TGS as part of the process of getting the LONO.
If the works will cause a road to be partially closed (using traffic controllers) or fully closed, or if traffic flow will be impeded (and if warranted), a police permit for road closure must be acquired and attached to the application. Prior to applying for a police permit, a letter of no objection from council must be obtained.
If the works are within 150m of a state-controlled road, or if the works affect traffic associated with a state-controlled road, a road corridor permit may be required. Contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads for more information. Maps showing state-controlled roads, and the application form can be found on the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ website. If this permit is required, attach a copy of the permit to the application for a Road Work Permit.
The applicant is responsible for all costs associated with repairs and reinstatement works following completion of the works, including the repair of any damage to the road/kerb and channel/footpath signs/furniture or council services. The applicant must carry out all repairs to the satisfaction of council. The applicant is advised to provide a pavement deterioration report/photo if damage is identified before commencement of the work. This is to be attached to the application for a Road Works Permit.
The applicant is to contact the Planning and Development to book a pre-application meeting, before lodging the application for a Road Work Permit. On-site preliminary advice will be given to address council requirements for the proposed works zone.
If scaffold/gantry is to be erected in the works zone, a separate application for a Road Works Permit is required, and all conditions that apply to the scaffold/gantry application must also be addressed.
The works zone must be for works exceeding two weeks. Refer to Short term use of parking bays information if the area is required for less than two weeks.
A works zone must be at least two parking bays in length, or the full frontage of the property where the works are being carried out if the frontage is less than two parking bays in length.
Council reserves the right to modify the works zone at any time and for any reason. If changed, the parking fee will be reviewed.
The permit-holder must remove and replace existing regulatory signs and is responsible for the supply/erection/removal of compliant temporary works zone signs.
The permit-holder is responsible for altering and reinstating pavement markings associated with the signage changes, if required.
All signage must comply with the relevant standards.
If a loading zone, bus zone, taxi zone or disabled parking bay is in the proposed works zone area, it may be approved as a works zone subject to council assessment, provided that an alternative is made available close to the requested area. The loading zone, bus zone, taxi zone or disabled parking bay is to be reinstated on completion of works, with all costs to be met by the applicant.
Goods and materials are not to be stored or stacked on the footpath or roadway in the works zone for any extended periods (only for delivery and pickup). Site huts and storage containers are not to be placed in the works zone.
Storage of refuse skips/bins in the works zone is not permitted and they are to be removed when directed by council. All effort should be made to use a truck for removal of debris.
The works zone is only to be used by vehicles that are loading or unloading construction materials and/or equipment. Mobile cranes/concrete pumps and elevating platforms can be parked within this area only for their intended purpose and timeframe.
The area is not to be used for general parking of vehicles.
The applicant is to contact Planning and Development to book a pre-application meeting, before lodging the application for a Road Work Permit. On-site preliminary advice will be given regarding the location, and what impact the scaffold/gantry will have in the proposed area.
If the works will be in an approved works zone, a separate application for a Road Works Permit is required for the scaffold/gantry. The structure will only be installed within the approved works zone area.
If scaffold/gantries are to be erected in areas with non-regulated parking bays, a separate application for a Road Works Permit may be required for hoarding. A separate application for a temporary construction bay permit will be required (see Short-term use of parking bays section).
Water filled barriers are to be placed along the outside of scaffolding as a buffer which will be incorporated as part of the works zone, as per MUTCD3.
A qualified person must certify the structure, and a copy of the certification is to be given to council within 24 hours of the structure completion.
Transportable offices are allowed to be placed on top of a gantry, subject to its certification from a structural engineer. A copy of this certification must be given to council within 24 hours of placement.
Goods and materials are not to be stored or stacked in the gantry walkway, on the footpath or on the road at any time.
Depending on the method and site specifications of the hoarding proposed, a pre-application meeting with council may or may not be required. In general, if any of the following apply, a pre-application meeting will be required:
If in doubt, contact council to ensure that council doesn’t have specific requirements that need to be addressed in the application.
If a pre-application meeting is required, contact the Planning and Development to book a pre-application meeting, before lodging the application for a Road Work Permit. On-site preliminary advice will be given to address council requirements for the proposed hoarding.
For any barriers surrounding the worksite as a safety measure, the applicant will need to apply for a road work permit if the barriers are to be erected on council-controlled land.
The hoarding must be stable and secure in its entirety, and regularly monitored and maintained.
A permit to exceed time-limited parking may be available for works requiring the use of the road reserve and regulated parking bays for less than two weeks. Apply using the Application to Exceed Time-Limited Parking form on Council’s website.
This is where tradespersons working in the CBD may need ready access to their work vehicles, which requires them to park in certain locations for longer than the maximum period allowable under the parking laws. In appropriate situations, Council will issue permits authorising tradespersons to park continuously in “1P”, “2P” and “4P” parking bays for longer than the advertised maximum time (no permit is required for 8P parking bays).
If you need to physically reserve parking bays (e.g. with witches hats), OR if the parking is required for longer than 10 business days, a Road Work Permit will be required.
For road work permit application enquiries (works zones/scaffolding/gantry), or to book a pre-application meeting, contact Planning and Development:
