Council Dig-Ups in Sydney: What to Prepare
A practical checklist for excavation that touches a council footpath, nature strip, kerb, road reserve or public land.
A council dig-up usually means work is taking place in a public road reserve or other council-controlled area. The exact approval, notification, traffic and restoration requirements vary by council, so the first step is identifying the local authority and the part of the public asset affected.
Prepare a simple site plan showing the property, proposed trench or bore, pit locations, service route, pedestrian path and any traffic impact. Include the contractor details, timing, surface type and who will complete the final restoration. A trenchless crossing may reduce the area disturbed, but the pits and access points still need to be shown.
Council approval and construction delivery are separate jobs. Allow time for the council process, keep a copy of any conditions on site and make sure the excavation crew understands the approved footprint before starting.
Site Checklist
- Identify the council and road-reserve boundary
- Prepare a marked-up site plan
- Confirm traffic and pedestrian requirements
- Check restoration standards for the affected surface
- Keep approvals and conditions available on site
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