Works by a public authority or utility company

You must submit an application to do works within a road reserve if you are: 

• a utility company 
• a road authority
• a public transport operator
• an individual working on behalf of one of these companies. 

You must submit this application 20 business days before starting works.

Exemptions from applying for consent

Minor works

You do not need to apply for consent if you are doing minor works. 

Minor works includes works where:

• the excavation area is less than 8.5 m²
• there is no impact to traffic. 

Read the Road Management (Works and Infrastructure) Regulations on the Legislation Victoria website for a full list of exemptions. 

If you are exempt from applying for consent, notify us of the upcoming works by emailing us at [email protected].

Make sure you include in your email:

• why you are exempt
• the dates works will occur
• if you will be doing a temporary or permanent reinstatement
• an attachment of your site plan. 

Declared roads

If the work is on a declared road (freeways, arterial roads and non-arterial state roads), you will need to apply for consent with VicRoads. 

Visit the VicRoads website to check if your works are on a declared road. If your works are on a declared road, you will still need to notify us of the works by emailing us at [email protected].

Make sure you include in your email:

• that you are exempt because your works are on a declared road
• the dates works will occur
• if you will be doing a temporary or permanent reinstatement
• an attachment of your site plan.

Emergency works

Emergency works are short term, unplanned works which need urgent attention. 

You do not need to apply for consent when responding to emergency works, such as: 

• gas leaks
• burst water mains 
• power lines over the road.

If you need to complete emergency works, make sure you:

• complete the emergency works
• make the site safe and complete and temporary or permanent reinstatement 
• notify us within 48 hours of completing works.

We will explain the next steps based on the situation.

Works near trees

Call us on (03) 9278 4444 to discuss how to work around trees. 

You will also need to submit a tree management plan in your application, which you can learn about on our Protect trees during construction page.

Documents required for application

You will need to include the following documents with your application:

• Certificate of Currency for $20 million of public liability insurance
• site plan 
• Traffic Management Plan. 

Depending on where your works are taking place, you may need to also include: 

• Dial Before You Dig report
• notification letter to impacted residents 
• tree management plan 
• VicRoads Memorandum of Authorisation.

Application fees

Minor works: less than 8.5 m²

Major works: greater than 8.5 m²

 How to apply

You can apply for consent to complete works by completing our form.

Apply for consent

We might reach out to you if there is information missing from your application. 

Once we have all the required information, we will email you with an outcome within 20 business days.

Completing works

If you are granted consent to complete works, we will email you information about the conditions you need to follow. 

When works are complete, you will need to:

• make sure you have permanently reinstated assets to council standards within 28 days of completing works - see our Standard drawings page for more information
• notify us within 7 days of completing the permanent reinstatement
• send an email to [email protected] and tell us how you have reinstated our assets.

More information 

For help or advice, email [email protected] or call us on (03) 9278 4444.