Civil works projects

Open date
07 October 2024

Last update date: 20 November 2024

The City is required to carry out civil works in the Road Reserve in order to maintain, modify, and construct new infrastructure.

Civil works within the road reserve may include:

Stormwater drainage modifications
Footpath construction and repair
Verge modification works
Crossover construction or modification
Kerb construction
Road upgrades and resurfacing
Right of way upgrades.

During these works existing infrastructure within the road reserve is inevitably affected. Following completion of the works the affected infrastructure, if safe, feasible, and in line with the City’s standard specifications and policies will be restored/reinstated to its previous effective state.

Did you know?

The road reserve is the land between the private property boundaries of opposing houses down a typical street and serves the purpose of providing a transport and service corridor to all properties.

The Road Reserve is managed by the City and includes provisions for storm water management, public utility services (such as water, gas, power, and telecommunications), pedestrian footpaths, kerbs, roads, and verges.

With over 900km of existing footpaths, the City’s wide network of paths is an integral part of our aim of having an accessible and connected community through sustainable and integrated transport networks.

The importance and function of footpaths cannot be overstated. A footpath:

Protects the most vulnerable
Supports the independence of children and the elderly
Promotes physical activity
Improves accessibility
Creates community
Reduces congestion.

Footpaths underpin the City’s Access and Inclusion Plan developed to support the independence of some of the most vulnerable members of our community including the elderly, people with mobility or visual impairments, young children and those using prams.

A connected city reduces congestion by encouraging residents of all ages and abilities to adopt more active and healthy modes of travel. With more people walking, footpaths create opportunities for human connection and as such help to build communities.

To achieve this, we continue to provide a safe network of cycleways and pathways that connect people and places.

Since 2009, the City has invested in a strategic footpath program to address a shortfall of over 300km of streets that warranted a footpath but did not have one. This was based on an adopted Council Policy for 'New Footpaths', that requires the construction of "a footpath on at least one side of every street that is not a cul-de-sac".

The City continues to invest in the construction of new footpaths and has, so far, reduced the deficit to approximately 170km.

The order of footpath construction within the City is based on a risk assessment including factors such as road classification, traffic volumes, traffic speed, potential pedestrian numbers, connections to higher-ranked roads as well as proximity to community facilities, schools and public transport.

The decision of the side of the road the footpath will be constructed on, is based on factors such as the location of existing street trees and power poles, the connectivity with existing footpaths, the terrain, amenity, sightlines and lighting.

If you would like to support or object a proposed footpath, please fill in this form.

If you would like to report an issue with an existing footpath please phone our Customer Contact Centre (08 9205 8555) or lodge a request online.

Non-standard crossovers (Eg. Exposed aggregate, cobblestone and liquid limestone)

Reticulation/sprinkler systems

Following construction, existing functioning reticulation systems affected by the works will be reinstated by the City's contractor at no cost to the resident. Please test and notify the City of any damage within two weeks of completion of work on the verge. It is advisable to test your reticulation systems 24 hours after any concrete works have been completed to allow the concrete to set.

Kerbing reinstatement

Where required, existing kerbing affected by the works is replaced to City standards with a semi-mountable type profile. Different profiles may be used where justified. The resident is requested to avoid driving over the fresh concrete kerb for at least three days.

Informal crossovers

Where it is clear an alternative informal vehicle access is occurring into a property and is affected by the works the City will install a 600mm wide concrete apron within the affected kerb.

Concrete crossovers

The City will reinstate concrete crossovers that are affected by the works. The minimum reinstatement will be the removal and replacement of the first 2.05m from the front of the kerb to suit new road levels. For the first six (6) days after the concrete is poured, the resident is requested to avoid driving over the splays or edges of the crossover. Driving through the centre of the crossover splays is allowed after 3 days.

House numbers on kerbs

Existing painted house numbers affected by the works will be re-painted onto the new kerb where requested by the resident at the City's cost by an authorised contractor.

Plants

Where existing plants are likely to be impacted by the works it is responsibility of the adjoining owner/occupier to make arrangements for them to be removed, stored, watered and replanted at the completion of the project.

Hard stand verge

The City will reinstate hardstand areas (brick paving, bitumen and in-situ concrete) in the verge affected by the works and will endeavour to match existing materials where reasonable, safe and legal. Reinstatement works will allow a clearance of 2m away from street trees.

Asphalt/bitumen crossovers

Asphalt or bitumen crossovers affected by the works will be reinstated by the City. Depending on the level of impact of the works and the new road levels, the City will replace the existing asphalt or bitumen crossover with a standard grey concrete crossover. This usually occurs where the impact is greater than 1.0m from the front of the kerb line.

Brick paved crossovers

Brick paving disturbed by the City shall be reinstated to tie in with the new works. Excess brick pavers shall be removed and disposed of by the City without cost to the owner/occupier. If you would like to retain excess brick pavers, please contact the City’s representative, as shown in the notification letter prior to the commencement of construction works.

Due to problems associated with matching colours, the non-availability of some older style pavers, and potential level differences, a 600mm wide concrete apron will be provided at the road edge for the full width of the crossover. Brick paved crossovers on the new footpath alignment will be replaced with grey concrete to match the new path and to maintain the continuity and visual delineation of the new footpath.

Trees

The City values its trees and will protect them during the works including possible ground level adjustments for existing tree roots.

Reticulated lawn area

The City will reinstate lawn areas affected by the works with roll on turf where the width of the disturbed area is greater than 500mm. For widths 500mm or less, the disturbed area will be backfilled with clean yellow sand. The City will reinstate verge treatments that have been authorised and approved by the City but will not be responsible for reinstatement of verge treatments that are not of approved materials.

Non-standard crossovers (Eg. Exposed aggregate, cobblestone and liquid limestone)

The City will only reinstate non-standard crossovers affected by the works with standard grey concrete crossovers to a minimum distance of 2.05m from the front of the kerb. This will tie in with existing or possible future footpaths to maintain visual continuity of the footpath and in accordance with the City’s Crossover Policy.

Non-reticulated lawn area

The City will reinstate lawn areas affected by the works with grass runners or grass planted randomly where the disturbed area has a width of greater than 500mm. For widths 500mm or less the City will backfill the disturbed areas with clean yellow sand.

Artificial/synthetic lawn area

The City will temporarily remove any artificial turf in the verge/footpath that may be impacted by the works and put it back to its original position after completion of the works. Whilst the City will take care not to damage the synthetic turf, the City will not undertake any reinstatements of illegal materials.

Mulch

The City will reinstate organic mulch on the verge that is affected by the works.

Back to search all projects

Share this page