Road Opening Permit

You need a Road Opening Permit to open, bore, drill or dig up any form of council land.

Only contractors carrying out the works can apply for a Road Opening Permit.

You need this permit for activities such as:

• Constructing or reinstating footpath panels (if adjacent to a vehicle crossing, apply for a Vehicle Crossing Permit instead)
• Excavating a road
• Installing or repairing a stormwater connection or side entry pit
• Accessing or installing infrastructure on council land
• Installing ground-water wells, sewer connections and water tapping
• Excavating in a public park or reserve (also email [email protected] for a Park Access Permit)

You don't need a Road Opening Permit for works in an easement inside the property boundary.

Step 1: Prepare documents for submission

Gather the following documents for submission:

• Dimensioned Site Plan. Provide a detailed site plan that shows impacted assets such as street trees, signposts, power poles, utility service pits and stormwater connections. Include distances from the excavation point.
• Traffic Management Plan (TMP) or Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS). Ensure this is prepared by a qualified person. It must be compliant with AS 1742.3 2019 and meet the requirements of the Road Management Act 2004 and Road Safety Act 1986.
• Certificate of Currency with at least $20 million public liability insurance. 

If required, also submit the following:

• Approval from Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). Obtain approval for works on declared roads (freeways, arterial roads and state roads). View a map of DTP-managed roads on the Transport Victoria website.
• Approval from public transport authorities. Secure approval for works near public transport. Contact the relevant authority, such as Public Transport Victoria, Metro Trains or Yarra Trams for specific approval requirements.
• Before You Dig report. Provide a current report no older than 3 months, showing any utility services or infrastructure located below ground, either underneath or near your proposed works. Find out more on the Before You Dig Australia website.
• Notification letters. Send notification letters to:
  • emergency services if their services may be impacted
  • residents whose access may be impacted by the works.

Step 2: Apply and pay online

Contractors can apply online. Refer to the fee table at the bottom of this page

Apply online for a Road Opening Permit

Application process

• We’ll send a confirmation email upon receiving your application.
• We may contact you for more information if needed.
• Allow up to 10 business days for assessment. It may take longer if additional information or referrals are required.
• If approved, we’ll email you the permit. If refused, we’ll contact you.

Permit information

The permit:

• is valid for 3 months from the issue date or until your public liability insurance expires, whichever comes first.
• covers both road opening works and asset reinstatement.
• is non-transferable to another person, company or property.
• can’t be extended or reinstated once expired.

Please read the Protection of Council Assets and Control of Building Sites Local Law 2021 to understand your obligations.

Step 3: Undertake works

Forty-eight hours before works begin, send a notification letter to:

• police, fire and ambulance if their services may be impacted
• residents whose access may be impacted.

During the works, ensure:

• The approved TMP/TGS is in place
• Your approved permit can be checked on site at all times.
• Any third-party contractor is made aware of the permit conditions.

Step 4: Reinstate council assets

You need to reinstate all assets to council standards within 28 days of completing works. Find out about council standards on our Standard drawings page. If your permit expires before beginning reinstatement, you will need to reapply.

Reinstate assets yourself or through your preferred contractor, ensuring:

• The opening cut for all asphalt surfaces is at least 600 mm wide.
• Concrete footpath panels are completely reinstated (we don’t accept patching).

Step 5: Submit a completion of works form

Once you’ve reinstated all assets, submit the completion of works form (included with your permit). Email the form and photos of the reinstated assets to [email protected].

For stormwater connections, include photos of:

1. Council assets before work starts
2. Council assets during works
3. New connection point
4. Council assets after reinstatement.

Exception for emergency works

Short-term, unplanned emergencies which need immediate attention don’t need a Road Opening Permit, but you need to email us at [email protected] to let us know.

Examples of emergencies include:

• burst water mains
• disruptions to essential services.
• gas main explosions
• power lines over the road.

Follow this procedure for emergency works

1. Make the site safe to complete the works.
2. Complete the emergency works.
3. Notify us within 48 hours of completing works. We’ll tell you the next steps based on the situation.

More information

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

If you’re a public authority, or completing works for one, you must get consent to conduct works within a road reserve. You don't need to apply for a Road Opening Permit. Find out more on our Works by a public authority or utility company page.

If you're constructing a drain for a new build or a subdivision, you may also need to apply for an outfall drain inspection. We'll provide conditions and advice.