Working on our roads
Regulations for working within the Transport Corridor
We manage all access to the transport corridor, also known as the road reserve - the area between the property boundaries on either side of the road, including the grass berm, footpath, and road.
The National Code of Practice for Utility Operators’ Access to Transport Corridors (the Code) is the mandated legislation for managing access to transport corridors for transport corridor managers such as Council and utility operators (e.g. electricity and telecommunications) throughout New Zealand. Its use is compulsory for all road controlling authorities and utility network operators and their contractors for access rights to the transport corridor to install and maintain utility assets.
We have extended the legislation requirements for access to its transport corridor to include all contractors that undertake activities in the road corridor (eg painters, builders, drainlayers and plumbers etc).
Regional Infrastructure Technical Specification (RITS)
Waipā District Council uses the Regional Infrastructure Technical Specification (RITS) as the basis of its Engineering Technical Standard and requires developers to comply with RITS when designing and building infrastructure in subdivisions and developments.
Find out more here: Transport standards and code of practice
Corridor Access Request
A Corridor Access Request (CAR) is a formal request that needs to be made for any work carried out in the Transport Corridor (or road reserve). There are two types of corridor access requests - one for excavation work and one for non-excavation activities. Once a request has been processed, a Works Access Permit (WAP) is issued to the applicant. This will include any relevant local conditions.
Examples of works requiring a CAR include:
- trenching or digging works
- footpath and entranceways
- work within the berm or shoulder of the road eg painting, building, and general maintenance
- street parades and events
- scaffolding, crane work and tree work
If the intended area of work adjoins a State Highway, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will also require a CAR Request and their approval will also be required.
Applying for a CAR – Excavation Works
For all planned excavation activities in the road corridor, you need to use the beforeUdig online service.
BeforeUdig is an easy and quick online service to determine the presence of underground assets in and around any proposed dig site and work, in conjunction with CorridorAccess to provide a total service for working in and around the transport corridor.
When you use this online service, the system will automatically contact each registered asset owner, who will contact you directly with plans and instructions about how to work safely. Together with Corridor Access, a CAR is generated which then goes to council.
You will be required to submit a traffic management plan (TMP) when you apply for a CAR. The TMP must be completed by a qualified temporary traffic management planner (TTMP) and temporary traffic control must be carried out by a qualified traffic controller.
How to apply
Head to https://www.beforeudig.co.nz/
If you don't have a login for ‘beforeudig’, just register online as a new user first to get a login.
Lodge an enquiry (called a corridor access request or CAR) including all information requested including a site-specific traffic management plan (see the traffic management section of this web page for more information).
Your CAR for your planned excavation will then go through to the traffic management coordinator, who will process your enquiry and advise whether they require further information or if your request has been approved.
Once your CAR has been approved work can start on the approved start date.
Applying for a CAR – Non-excavation activities
A Corridor Access Request (CAR) for all non-excavation activities, not requiring service locations such as power, water, etc., can be made on the Corridor Access NZ website.
Corridor Access NZ allows you to lodge your Corridor Access Request (CAR) for all activities carried out in the Transport Corridor including Retrospective CARs and Events.
When you complete all required details, the system will automatically generate a CAR which goes to Council.
You will be required to submit a traffic management plan (TMP) when you apply for a CAR. The TMP must be completed by a qualified temporary traffic management planner (TTMP) and temporary traffic control must be carried out by a qualified traffic controller.
How to apply
Head to www.corridoraccess.co.nz
If you don't have a login for Corridor Access NZ, just register online as a new user first to get a login.
Lodge an enquiry (called a corridor access request or CAR) including all information requested including a site-specific traffic management plan (see the traffic management section of this web page for more information).
Your request for your planned work will then go through the traffic management coordinator, who will process your enquiry and will advise whether they require further information or whether it is approved.
Once your CAR has been approved work can start on the approved start date.
Work Access Permits (WAPs)
Once the CAR has been processed by Council, a Works Access Permit (WAP) will be issued to the applicant, along with all relevant local conditions.
If you start work without a WAP, you will be issued with a ‘Stop Work Notice. You will be required to remove all structures and equipment from the site to make sure the site is safe.
The ‘Stop Work Notice’ will be in place until a WAP has been issued.
Note: Continuing to work with the ‘Stop Work Notice’ in place will result in a ban from future work in the Waipā transport corridor.
Fees and charges
| Description | Fees and charges 2024/25 |
| Approval of simple TMP for Vehicle Crossings | $215.00 |
| Approval of complex TMP | $215.00 per hour (excludes travel allowances) |
| Actions required to address non-compliance with TMP conditions | $215.00 per hour (excludes travel allowances) |
| Non-compliance for not having a TMP or an approved TMP | $468.00 |
| Extension of TMP application | $105.00 |
| Issue of Stop Work Order | $148.00 |
| Late Completion of Works or failure to return sites to pre-existing conditions as per the utilities code. | $445.00 |
Notes:
- TMP require evaluation and approval by the Council Traffic Management Coordinator to ensure public safety, the costs of which are charged to the applicant
Public Liability and Legal Consequences
Any works undertaken in the road corridor without approved consent may leave the person or persons instructing the works personally liable to prosecution.
All works undertaken will require current public liability insurance.
