If you are planning to construct a driveway that crosses Council land, you need to obtain approval. This page outlines how to apply, guidelines on assessing new proposals and information for the construction including booking inspections.

Application to Undertake Construction

Before constructing a driveway you need to complete an application form to undertake construction.

This application excludes the construction of retaining walls, stairs and other structures, for these please refer to:

• the application for Infrastructure Works on Council Roadway (if associated with a development application) or
• the application for a Minor Encroachment on a Road Reserve (for minor structures such as letter boxes and does not include retaining walls, stairs or other engineered structures).

Authorised Concrete Contractors

Northern Beaches Council has an approved list of authorised concrete vehicular contractors. All driveway works must be carried out by an approved contractor from this list.

Inspections

Driveway construction requires a formwork inspection prior to concrete pour, and a final inspection upon completion. Inspections must be booked by the approved concrete contractor at least 3 working days in advance and be made through the online booking form.

New and Changed Facilities

All driveways must serve an approved parking facility (hardstand, carport, garage). For Council to issue approval for a vehicle crossing that serves a new or changed parking facility, you must demonstrate that it is an approved parking facility. 
An approved parking facility is an off-street parking space that has been granted approval from Council via a Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC) via a private certifier. It must comply with the relevant planning controls which may include:

• Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP)
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 – Subdivision 14 Driveways and hard stand spaces
• Australian Standard AS 2890.1:2004 Parking facilities, Part 1: Off-street car parking.

Our duty planners can help advise on queries on proposed new or changed parking facilities:

Complying Development Certificates (CDCs)

In accordance with S1.18(e) of the SEPP Exempt and Complying Development Code, before the CDC is issued by the Certifier, the driveway and any works in the road reserve will need to be approved by the relevant Roads Authority, which in most instances is Council. The applicant will be required to provide the following additional information to ensure an approved parking facility will be provided:

• Contact details of the Private Certifier.
• Plans for the proposed development.
• Complying Development Certificate (CDC) reference number.

Written confirmation from your Private Certifier stating that the proposed development meets the standards of the Exempt & Complying Development Code, and a CDC will be issued subject to Council approving the driveway crossing application.

Council will consider the public interest when assessing any application, including those made under the Complying Development Certificate (CDC) and Low-Rise Housing Diversity Code. Compliance with the relevant standards for works within the property boundary for a complying development does not guarantee a driveway approval will be issued by Council in the preferred form of the applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Council with draft plans for driveway approval prior to proceeding with a detailed design of their development to minimise costs and time associated with redesign due to driveway refusal.

Dual Occupancies

For dual occupancies and attached dwellings, Council will only permit a single shared driveway per predeveloped lot unless assessed and approved on merit. Developments shall generally have a shared central driveway for the following reasons:

1. Driveways should be located and spaced to maximise on-street kerbside parking. Reducing existing on-street parking will not be approved unless the site is located in areas of extremely low parking demand (Public Amenity).
2. Minimises the impact to street trees and retains a higher level of permeable (grassed) road reserve (Environmental Impact).
3. Minimises the number of interactions for pedestrians, cyclists and road users with driveways (Public Safety).

Driveway Access (Vehicle Crossing) Guidelines

Driveway / Street Levels Applications are assessed based on the principles and design guidelines outlined in the Driveway Access (Vehicle Crossing) Guidelines. The complete guidelines can be downloaded in the ‘Documents’ section at the bottom of the page.

Principles

Public Safety

Driveways are to be designed, constructed, and maintained to prioritise public safety at all times. This includes but is not limited to the safety of footway users (e.g. pedestrians) and roadway users.

Environmental Impact

The design, construction and maintenance of driveways is to limit impact on the local environment. This includes but is not limited to:

• Maximising soft landscaping and natural features in the road reserve.
• Minimising the impact on and removal of street trees.
• Management of stormwater.

Public Amenity

The design, construction and maintenance of driveways is to minimise the impact to on-street parking, neighbouring properties and visual appearance within the road reserve.

Common Vehicular Access to Multiple Properties (CVAMPS)

A Common Vehicular Access to Multiple Properties (CVAMP) is a type of vehicle crossing that facilitates vehicle access to more than one property and is not considered to be part of the main carriageway.

All costs associated with construction and maintenance of CVAMPs must be covered by the person(s) benefitting from the CVAMP except where Council determines to contribute in extraordinary circumstances. It is noted that CVAMPS may be utilised by pedestrians or postal services in certain circumstances however this does not alter the maintenance responsibilitiesnoting that pedestrians also traverse over single driveways that cross over footpaths.