Other matters requiring approval

The department regulates and approves other activities under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (the Act), such as works that may interfere with the operation of a road, railway or busway, including the construction of advertising or tourist signs. It may be necessary to obtain a permit or approval for any of the following activities.

Road works

Road works are defined by the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 to include:

1. works done for—
   1. establishing or constructing roads or things associated with roads; or
   2. maintaining roads or things associated with roads (other than public utility plant); or
      …
2. road access works.

As part of the development assessment process, the Department of Transport and Main Roads may recommend to the State Assessment and Referral Agency that conditions be imposed on the development approval requiring the construction of specified Road works to mitigate the impact of the development. To comply with conditions requiring Road works within a State-controlled road, an application to the Department of Transport and Main Roads for a Road works approval is required.

All Road works within a state-controlled road must be:

• designed and constructed in accordance with the Department of Transport and Main Roads standards
• constructed in a way that ensures no adverse safety impacts for road users or construction workers.

Applying for road works within a state-controlled road

To apply for road works within a state-controlled road, please use the following form: 

• Road works/road access works in a state-controlled road (Form 5082)

Further information about road access works and road works applications

Further information about making an application for road access works or road works onto a state-controlled road is available in the following factsheets and on the Driveways and associated road works within a state-controlled road for vehicular access web page. You can also contact your local Department of Transport and Main Roads office.

• Road access works approvals—factsheet
• Road access works approvals not involving development approval—factsheet
• Road works approvals—factsheet

The information that is required by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to assess an application for road works or road access works (including driveways) will largely depend upon the site and the scale of the works involved. If you are at all unsure about what is required to be included in your application, it is recommended that you contact your local Department of Transport and Main Roads office.

The approval process takes time. Individuals and organisations submitting an application should ensure that sufficient time is allowed for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to assess the application.

An approval may be conditional. Following assessment of your application, if it is approved, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will issue a ‘Letter of Conditional Approval’. This does not necessarily authorise works to commence and may contain conditions that must be complied with prior to any construction commencing in the State-controlled road. If your conditional approval requires you to provide an indemnity to the Department of Transport and Main Roads for road works on a State-controlled road, please use the following form: 

• Deed of Indemnity for road works on a State-controlled road (form 5109)

If your conditional approval includes a requirement to provide the Department of Transport and Main Roads with details about the principal contractor who will be undertaking the cost of the works involved, please use the following form: 

• Appointment of a Principal Contractor Notice (Form 5084)

Special events management

To run an event in Queensland, event organisers must obtain written approval from the Queensland Police Service and the public authorities responsible for the roads the event may affect with road closures or reduced speed limits.

If the event is affecting local roads, this will mean seeking consent from the relevant local authority or Council.

If the event affects a state-controlled road, or has significant effects on adjoining state-controlled roads, Transport and Main Roads' approval is required.

More information is available on the Traffic Management at Special Events page.

Activities, structures and things in the road corridor

Any activity, structure or thing undertaken or located within the boundaries of a state-controlled road requires approval unless specifically exempt. This is a legislative requirement under section 50 of the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.

Approval for most activities, structures and things is a Road Corridor Permit.

Examples of activities, structures or things, referred to as ancillary works and encroachments (AWEs), include:

• beehives
• roadside vending
• footpath dining
• drones
• advertising devices
• pipes
• cables
• channels
• dams
• planting/removing trees
• burning off
• fences
• awnings
• monuments
• stock activities (when not on a stock route).
  
  Please contact your local Transport and Main Roads office if you have any questions.

Tourist and service signs

Tourist signs display location details and information about tourist attractions. Service signs identify amenities available along the route including accommodation.  Approval to install a sign can be made by completing the relevant form and lodging it with the local Transport and Main Roads office.

Railway works approval

As per section 255 of the Act, applicants wishing to undertake works in a railway corridor must seek the relevant railway manager’s written approval unless permitted under another Act. For more information, please contact the applicable railway manager:

• Aurizon
• Australian Rail Track Corporation
• Queensland Rail.