Roadsides—road corridors and utilities

If you want to use the side of the road for work, commercial, recreational or community activities, you need the department’s approval.

Using the roadside? You need to see us, so we can see you!

The primary purpose of corridor management is to permit conditional use of roadsides (also known as road corridors), while ensuring a safe and efficient road network.

Aside from road users, there are a range of individuals and entities that enjoy a level of access to use, and install assets, in the road corridor with the department’s approval. This group ranges from flower sellers to major telecommunications and energy utilities. Activities and structures are diverse and can include the installation of letterboxes, cattle grids, gas pipelines and cane railways. Holding events, such as fun runs and meetings are also examples of use of the roadside.

Utilities that wish to access and install assets in the road network will need to comply with the technical requirements and installation requirements specified in the Non-Transport Utility Management and Design Manual. Electricity, Gas, Sewerage or Water utilities must complete the F5165 - Installation of Utility Assets in State-Controlled Roads Application form to apply to install assets in the state-controlled road network. Some installations may also require a Traffic control permit.

For more information please visit the utilities site.

Structures and activities in the road corridor

Requiring a road corridor permit and/or agreement

• Policy for the management of bee hives on state-controlled roads
• Bee hives in state-controlled road corridors
• Footpath dining on state-controlled roads
• Footpath dining on state-controlled roads—self-assessment guide
• Road corridor permit and or/agreement including information sheet
• Roadside advertising manual
• Roadside vending on state-controlled roads
• Roadside vending on state-controlled roads—fact sheet
• Signs and advertising devices in state-controlled road corridors - when Transport and Main Roads approval is required
• Special events (TRUM Volume 1, Part 9, Section 6.2-1). See also Events in Queensland: best practice guidelines.
• Tourist or service signs
• Traffic control permit

Not requiring a road corridor permit and/or agreement

• Ancillary Works and encroachments in state-controlled road corridors - Exempt from our approval-factsheet
• Election signs
• Small electronic devices (<4m²) within school zones
• Queen's baton relay signs in state-controlled road corridors - our approval NOT required-factsheet
• Rest areas and stopping places
• Roadside memorials
• Gazette Notice: Ancillary Works and Encroachments Notice (No. 3) 2017 outlines further information on exempt activities.  

Driveways and roadworks within a state-controlled road

Information on how and when to apply for a driveway or roadworks within a state-controlled road can be found here.

Prescribed burns within the state-controlled road corridor

Prescribed burns within the state-controlled road corridor has been developed jointly between Transport and Main Roads and QFD. It provides clarity on the process for obtaining approval from Transport and Main Roads to conduct a hazard reduction burn within the state-controlled road corridor and from QFD to light the fire for various scenarios, depending on who has requested and is responsible for the burn.