Development guidelines & policies

Code of practice: hoisting and construction activities on and above roads

Details our minimum performance standards and specific design and operational requirements when carrying out works and activities on and above roads.

Published
Code of practice cover

Takeaways

Construction-related activities in public spaces are often essential. This includes things such as lifting heavy materials with cranes, blocking off parts of the road and digging into the ground. These activities are important for building, maintaining and improving properties.

Some common examples are:

  • using cranes and other equipment to lift materials
  • parking trucks on the road to load and unload supplies
  • putting up temporary barriers to keep people safe and redirect foot traffic
  • digging into roads (road openings) or footpaths to do underground work.

When these activities take place in public spaces the City of Sydney must ensure:

  • people walking and riding aren’t blocked or put at risk
  • footpaths near worksites are safe and easy to use
  • nearby homes and businesses aren’t negatively affected.

To help manage this, our code of practice sets clear rules to reduce disruption and keep people safe. It also helps developers, contractors and building owners meet legal work safety requirements while getting their work done.

Code of practice: Hoisting and construction activities on and above roadsPDF · 21.05 MB · Last modified

Laws and regulation

The code of practice has been made under the local approvals policy for hoisting and construction activities on and above roads.

We consider and assess applications in line with the policy. An application is approved under s94 of the Local Government Act 1993 (an activity under category E(1) of the table to s68) and also under the Roads Act 1993. Both acts are used to regulate construction-related activities in public spaces, including any enforcement actions taken by the City of Sydney.

Approvals

You need to get approval from the City of Sydney before carrying out any works on and above public spaces including roads.

Person on scaffolding with crane overheadConstruction permits & approvals