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Excavation
North Sydney Council is responsible for managing all street, footpath and public land openings undertaken within the North Sydney local government area.
Street, footpath and public land openings are defined as opening a road, pavement, footpath or nature strip for connection or access to a public utility i.e. gas, electricity, telecommunications, sewerage or water; installation or repair of property stormwater drainage; investigations or other similar work.
Before works
This application must be read in conjunction with Council’s Restoration Works on Public Land Policy and Guidelines.
Applicants must comply with all standard conditions detailed in the guidelines and any site specific conditions advised in the approval.
No excavation is to be conducted until after confirming locations of underground services via Dial Before You Dig (1100) or other means.
During works
All excavation must be protected using warning signs and barricades in accordance with Australian Standard AS1742.3 Traffic Control Devices for Works on Roads and must comply with the provisions of the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Regulation 2017.
Failure to make the excavation site safe will result in Council carrying out all works deemed necessary at full cost to the Permit Holder.
Stormwater gully pit protection is to be in place at all times.
The public way is to be maintained in a clean and tidy state at all times.
After works
All excavations must be backfilled in accordance with the Council Infrastructure Specification and finished level with the surrounding pavement with hot or cold-mix asphalt.
Council must be informed immediately when all works are completed to arrange a site inspection and measurement of completed works.
If the backfilling of the trench is not carried out in accordance with Council’s Infrastructure Specification, the Permit Holder will be liable for any extra costs incurred by Council in rectifying the work. If the trench subsides at a future date due to unsatisfactory backfill, the utility authority or the Permit Holder will be liable for the full cost of the rectification work required.
The Permit Holder must reimburse North Sydney Council for the cost of repair for any damage caused to the public way as a result of the activities associated with this approval.
Any additional fees identified during site inspection, must be paid within 7 days of advice from the Restoration Officer.
North Sydney Council is entitled to recover the costs incurred in rectifying or repairing any work which does not fully satisfy the standard conditions of approval for street opening works. Council may claim the amount expended from any bond or deposit and may recover any shortfall from the Permit Holder.
Skip bins
Site conditions
Not all sites are suitable for skip bin occupation. Council reserves the right to reject an application if the proposed may endanger or obstruct pedestrians.
Skip bins placed on the road may only be positioned in permissive parking (unrestricted, timed or metered) spaces.
Skip bins must not be placed within 10 metres of an unsignalised intersection, within 20 metres of a signalised intersection, or in No Stopping, No Parking, Loading Zones, Bus Zones, Taxi Zones, Work Zones or other special use zones, unless otherwise expressly approved by Council.
The proposed permit area should not cover or prevent access to public or private utilities and drainage pits, or obstruct the view of advisory and regulatory signs and traffic controls.
Skip bins must be no wider than 1.8 metres (to fit within the dimensions of an average parking space) and be coloured yellow, orange or white for pedestrian visibility.
Location/ site plan
The applicant must include a locality photo or Google Maps screen grab of where the skip bin will be placed.
Pedestrian safety
The permit holder must ensure that the site for placement of the skip bin is maintained and operated safely and that pedestrians have free access to the remaining area of the footpath.
A clear passage of at least one metre must be maintained at all times in front of exit doorways from adjoining and adjacent premises. Where property access is affected, a minimum of 48 hours written notice must be given to residents.
Responsibility for pedestrian and other road users’ safety rests with the applicant from the commencement of work until permanent restoration of the roadway or footpath by Council. All traffic control plans must be available on-site at all times.
If directed by Council the permit holder must immediately remove items or make the area safe. If the permit holder does not comply with this direction, Council may remove the concerned items and the permit holder will be required to reimburse Council for the cost of the removal.
Building materials on footpaths
Maintain access
Any building materials or machinery on footpaths should not cover or prevent access to public or private utilities and drainage pits.
A clear passage of at least 1.2 metres must be maintained at all times in front of exit doorways from adjoining and adjacent premises.
The permit holder must ensure that the site where building materials are placed is maintained and operated safely so that pedestrians have free access to the remaining area of the footpath.
No obstruction
The building materials should not obstruct the view of advisory and regulatory signs and traffic controls.
Full road closure
To close a road Council must recieve your application with at least 25 business days notice.
Requirements
Traffic Committee endorsement
The 25 business day timeframe is necessary due to all applications submitted onto the North Sydney Local Traffic Committee for final approval.
Once the application is submitted, we are unable to expedite the process further.
The Traffic Committee operates seperate to Council. Once they have approved the application they will notify Council of their decision.
Inform Emergency Services
No application will be accepted without approval from the NSW Police Service under Section 148B of the Road Transport Act 2013 as amended.
Local Fire Brigades and NSW Ambulance Service must also be advised of the closure. Suitable arrangements should be made to facilitate access for emergency services.
| Emergency Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| North Shore Police Local Area Command Traffic Services |
02 9956 3199 |
| Crows Nest Fire Station | 02 9436 2021 |
| Neutral Bay Fire Station | 02 9908 1258 |
| NSW Ambulance Service Operations Centre | sectorsyd_north@ambulance.nsw.gov.au |
Notifications
You must notify local residents via this two-step process:
- Provide 7 business days notice of the road closure
- A follow-up notification 2 business days prior to the closure
Fees
Road closure fees are paid on top of parking loss fees and any other fees.
Out of hours road and footpath use
Unless specified by a DA condition, normal permitted construction hours are:
- Monday to Friday - 7am to 5pm
- Saturday - 8am to 1pm (no demolition work)
- Sunday - no works permitted
The applicant must provide reasons why the work described in the permit application cannot be carried out within normal construction hours. Please note: reasons related to occupant convenience or accelerated work programs will not be accepted.
To operate outside of these hours, additional information to support your application is required. Please attach a schedule of works that outlines considerations made to minimise the effect of noise on residents and any other noise management e.g. noise reduction barriers, or other equipment.
Out of hours permits are issued on a one-off basis and ongoing out of hours work is subject to a formal application for variation of any relevant consent condition.