Access crossovers & driveways

Property owners’ responsibility

Property owners are responsible for the construction and ongoing maintenance of the access crossover and driveway.

Council relies on the property owner and members of the construction industry to accurately assess the access crossover / driveway in accordance with Council's Town Planning requirements and technical standards. This is to ensure there is no adverse impact on existing essential services, the community and the environment.

It is also the property owner's responsibility to ensure gravel or debris does not wash from the driveway onto the road surface. Property owners could be liable if there is an incident caused by the improper construction, or lack of maintenance of an access crossover / driveway.

Note - extreme care needs to be taken when excavating the verge to ensure no damage is done to existing infrastructure. Property owners will be liable for any damage caused to Council and/or other infrastructure

Design and Construction requirements

It is important that access crossovers and driveways be designed and constructed using the standard specifications. Correctly designed and constructed driveways avoid things like steep driveway slopes, stormwater runoff into homes, damage to significant vegetation on private property and street trees, impacts on street parking and makes sure the driveway is safe for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.

The design standards for access crossovers are contained in the current version of the FNQROC Development Manual and the CairnsPlan 2016 (Planning Scheme) – Part 9.3.7 Parking and Access Code ( PDF, 15.71 MB ).

Refer to the Access Crossover / Driveway fact sheet ( PDF, 0.63 MB ) for more information on the design and construction requirements of an access crossover / driveway .

Vegetation

A Local Law Permit for the Alteration or Improvement to Local Government Controlled Areas or Roads  applies for all planting, clearing or damaging trees on Council Land not associated with a Reconfiguration of a Lot, Material Change of Use and/or an Operational Works Development Permit (e.g. prescribed activity under Council’s Local Law 11) and that is not in accordance with:

• FNQROC Development Manual
• Councils Planning Scheme Policy - Landscaping ( PDF, 1.11 MB );
• Council’s General Policy – Landscaping and Gardens on Council Controlled Land: Planting, Maintenance and Removal ( PDF, 0.39 MB ); and
• Council’s General Policy - Management of Trees on Council Controlled Land ( PDF, 0.21 MB ),

Refer to the Access Crossover / Driveway fact sheet   ( PDF, 0.63 MB ) for more information on the removal of vegetation for an access crossover / driveway.

Refer to our Alteration or improvement to local government controlled roads and areas webpage for more information on how to submit and obtain a Local Law Permit