A road occupancy licence is required for the use of part or all of a Council road (including roadway, footpath or nature strip within Council road reserve) to carry out works. Common reasons to obtain a road occupancy licence include:
- Footpath/road closure, the occupation of parking spaces, or occupation of the public road space during construction or removal of hoarding.
- Enclosing part of the footpath and/or nature strip to repair an awning or building façade (using removable fence or traffic cones for short term work - less than one month duration).
- Concrete pour or major deliveries where safety management is required.
- Standing a crane or similar equipment to lift goods, facilitate concrete pours or conduct building maintenance.
- Driveway construction which closes off part of the footpath to pedestrian traffic.
- Installing traffic controls around road works related to planned gas, watermain, sewer or electrical maintenance activities.
- Rail line maintenance.
- Construction adjoining a Council road reserve.
Read Standard conditions for close road / lane for construction purposes (pdf)
How to apply
Complete the form available on this webpage and submit it, along with all supporting documentation, to traffic@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
The application form and all supporting documentation must be submitted at least 5 business days or 10 business days prior to the planned commencement date of works, dependant on the type of occupation required as detailed below:
- Footpath closure (5 business days)
- Partial road closure (5 business days)
- Full road closure (10 business days)
- Complex closure, including two or more streets (10 business days)
- Crane / Boomlift / EWP / Concrete pump (10 business days)
For all enquiries and further information about road occupancy licences please contact traffic@ncc.nsw.gov.au
SUPPORTING INFORMATION REQUIRED
Applications must include all required supporting information:
- Traffic control plan (TCP) / Traffic Management Plan (TMP) / Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS):
- Site specific plan as per TfNSW 'Traffic Control at Work Sites Technical Manual’
- Must include license holder's details
- Must cover all Safework NSW requirements
- Public Liability Insurance:
- Certificate of currency for $10,000,000 (minimum)
- Provided for traffic control operator and crane / construction company
- Notification Details:
- Copy of the notification letter / leaflet that will be used to inform nearby residents / businesses
- Copy of map showing the area/addresses to which it will be distributed as required
- Lift study and/or plant specifications:
- Required for crane, mobile concrete pump, elevated work platform, or similar equipment that uses deployable outriggers, solid wheels, or has an axle load in excess of 6.0T
- Full lift study and plant specifications must also be supplied including applied outrigger loading forces and outrigger pad size/s (or alternatively outrigger pad pressure/s or axle loads)
- Must include location of the lift, including imagery of the crane or similar equipment overlaid on an aerial map showing proposed location of outriggers / outrigger pads
- Plant location must be incorporated into the site TCP / TMP / TGS
What happens next?
ASSESSMENT
An application is logged, given a licence reference number and assigned to a traffic engineer for assessment. They will confirm the conditions of the licence and whether any additional fees are due.
PAYMENT
A request for payment will be issued. Payment is made online via Bpoint. Please ensure you enter your email address to receive a copy of the payment receipt. City of Newcastle automatically receives a copy of the Bpoint payment receipt.
LICENCE ISSUED
Once the payment receipt is received your licence will be issued. Please note the conditions of the licence. A copy of the licence and TCP must be made available at any time for CN Officer/Ranger perusal, or penalties may apply.
FAQs
How long does it take to have a licence application assessed?
We aim to assess standard applications within five (5) business days. To ensure you secure any necessary licence(s) by the required date and can provide affected residents and businesses with the required advance notice of the proposed works (usually at least three business days), application forms and all supporting documentation must be submitted at least five (5) business days before the permit is required, or 10 business days prior to commencement of any works requiring a crane or similar equipment, full road closure, or works for a complex construction traffic management plan.
I need a licence within 5 business days. Will it be assessed in time?
Applications for emergency works and repairs are prioritised. All other applications are assessed on a first-come first-served basis. We cannot guarantee the assessment of an application and supporting documentation that has been submitted with insufficient lead-time.
Further, it is a condition of the majority of licences that local residents and businesses be notified of the upcoming works usually at least three business days in advance of the works. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure this notification is provided. IMPORTANT: Applications may be rejected or requested to delay the start date to ensure a sufficient notification period can be provided.
Where a crane or similar equipment is to be used in the works, the lift study and/or associated documentation must be reviewed by CN’s Assets Team. Please ensure your application is submitted at least 10 business days prior to the planned commencement of works to ensure the application and supporting documentation can be assessed, any revisions discussed, and the licence issued in time.
Payment of the late fee does not guarantee an application will be processed by the required date.
Can I change the date of my licence?
Yes. If you need to change the date of your licence (for example, due to rescheduling, inclement weather etc) you must inform us by email (traffic@ncc.nsw.gov.au) before 9am on the day of the licence, or the start time of the licence, whichever is earliest.
There is no fee for changing the date of a licence where we have been advised prior to the start date/time of the original licence, and if the scope and duration of the works remain the same. You will need to ensure a notification letter with the amended date(s) is provided to local residents and businesses.
How long can I get a licence for?
The maximum timeframe a licence will be approved is for one month. For works longer than this time-frame you will need to request an extension each month via traffic@ncc.nsw.gov.au. Further fees may apply to an extension request.
Can I extend my existing licence?
Yes. If you need to extend an existing licence you must contact us by email (traffic@ncc.nsw.gov.au) BEFORE your current licence expires. Further fees may apply to an extension request, up to a maximum of one month. If there are any changes to the scope of works that require further review please allow the usual timeframes for assessment of your extension.
Road Occupancy Licence or TfNSW Road Occupancy Licence?
A TfNSW Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) is required to conduct activities like road maintenance, lane closures, building, or construction work that is likely to have an impact on the operations of a state-controlled road or asset (such as traffic lights) administered by Transport for NSW. A TfNSW ROL must be applied for via Transport for NSW’s OPLINC online system.
What is a notification letter?
The applicant must inform nearby residents, businesses or other affected groups of upcoming works. The applicant must provide CN with a copy of the letter or leaflet that will be used to do this. It should cover:
- The nature of the works taking place
- Who is undertaking the works
- When the works will be done
- Likely impact on residents
- Contact name and number
It is the applicant’s responsibility to distribute the notification letter. The conditions of the road occupancy licence usually require that notification is given at least three (3) business days in advance of the works.
What is a distribution map?
The distribution map should show the area you intend to distribute notification letters. Free online mapping providers can be used to generate a map showing an outline of the intended letter drop area.
What are the fees and charges?
For full details please see City of Newcastle's Fees and Charges schedule.
Please note a Late Application Fee ($100) will be applied to all applications where the requested date is inside the required notification period. Payment of the Late Application Fee does not guarantee that an application will be assessed and approved by the requested date.