In April 2012 Pittwater Council adopted the new Pittwater Road Reserve & Streetscape Management Policy (No 193) which amalgamated 20 separate policies relating to the management of the road reserve and streetscape in Pittwater.

The Pittwater Streetscape Management Guidelines provide guidance for Council staff, local residents and developers for works on the public road reserve and on the public stormwater drainage system.

What is the Public Road Reserve

The Public Road Reserve is the strip of public land between abutting property boundaries, specifically gazetted for the provision of public right of way.  It includes the road carriageway, as well as footpaths and verges.

Work in the Public Road Reserve

Any work at all in the Public Road Reserve, whether it be for a house service connection, an access driveway or landscaping, requires consent from Council.  Failure to obtain the appropriate permits and consent prior to the commencement of any work will incur a fine.

Who can work in the Public Road Reserve

Any Council authorised Contractors are permitted to work in the Public Road Reserve.  If, for example, an access driveway is required, Council can provide a list of Council Approved Concrete Contractors.

Should the owner/builder/developer wish to use a Contractor not on the list, the said Contractor can apply to be placed on the list by completing an Application for Authorised Contractor Permit (UEA318) and paying the appropriate annual fee. Accompanying the application should be a current certificate of currency for Public Liability and Workers Compensation insurances.  Once these are received and references proved satisfactory, the Contractor is put on the list.

Consents for Work in the Public Road Reserve

• Application for Public Road Reserve Opening with Road Restoration Fees (UEA307) 
• Application for Access Driveway Profiles (Form UEA301) 
• Deed of Agreement for Coloured Driveway (UEA303) - for coloured driveways in lieu of a standard concrete Council crossover.
• Deed of Agreement for Cosmetic Driveway (UEA304) - for stamped or paved driveways in lieu of a standard concrete Council crossover.  This area refers to the section of your driveway between your property boundary and the roadway/kerb and gutter.
• Application for Section 139 Consent to Work in a Public Road Reserve (including Driveways) (UEA311) - for all other work on the public road reserve, such as road paving, kerb and gutter, landscaping, retaining walls, stairs, handrails, letterboxes etc.

For installation of traffic mirrors on public road reserve

• Traffic mirrors may be permitted at some locations on the public road reserve to assist residents to use an existing driveway, subject to Council approval of an application (and payment of appropriate fees) by the owner of the subject property.
• The application process (allow a minimum of three months) involves:
• • Completion of an Application for Traffic Mirror in a Public Road Reserve (UEA315) and lodgement at Council's Customer Service, accompanied by the appropriate fee.
  • The application will then be assessed by a Council Officer in accordance with guidelines issued by the RTA.
  • Should the application meet the RTA guidelines it will then be referred to the Council (via Council's Traffic Committee) for consideration of approval.
  • The cost of provision of the traffic mirror and its ongoing maintenance is the responsibility of the Applicant, who will also have to pay an annual fee to Council.
• Traffic mirror applications on Main Roads are to be referred directly to the RTA.

Permits are required for the following uses when working adjacent to, or in the Public Road Reserve:

• Application to Stand Skip Bin/Building Waste Container (UEA312)
• Application to Stand Construction Plant on a Public Road Reserve (UEA313) [Note: That for long term traffic control and closure of roads to traffic, the Applicant must also submit a Traffic Management Plan for assessment by Pittwater Council's  Traffic Committee].
• Application to Stand Container/Workshed on Road Reserve (UEA314).  Applicants should note the Special Conditions relating to the insurances required.
• Application for 'Work Zone' (UEA310) - A Work Zone Permit allows the applicant the temporary use of the road verge plus kerbside parking for construction purposes only.  Council will install the appropriate zoning signage once approval is given.
• Application for 'Construction Zone' (UEA309) Permit.  A Construction Zone Permit allows the applicant the temporary use of the adjacent road verge for construction purposes but the zone does not extend to the kerb side parking area.  
• Application for Temporary Fencing and Hoarding Permit (UEA308) - Note that there are three types of Hoarding - A, B or C and these are defined in the Application Conditions and detailed as per AS4687-2006.