Construction Traffic Planning for Builders Council Permits and Fast Sign-Off

For builders across Melbourne and Victoria who want fewer delays, safer sites, and quicker approvals.

Why traffic planning early saves weeks later

A solid traffic plan is more than a drawing. It maps how trucks, cranes, pedestrians, cyclists and general traffic move safely around your work zone so council officers and VicRoads/Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) can sign off with confidence. In Victoria, you’ll usually deal with local councils for road occupation on local roads, and DTP/VicRoads when your works touch arterial roads or need authority to use traffic control devices. Getting the pathway right up front is the fastest route to “approved”.

What “construction traffic planning” actually covers

Traffic planning for building sites bundles three moving parts:

• Traffic Management Plan (TMP) – the overall method: staging, detours, speed environment, emergency access, pedestrian continuity and risk controls. Councils expect a compliant TMP with your road occupation request.
• Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS/TCP) – the scaled diagram(s) that show exact device placement, taper lengths, sight distance and controller positions for each stage. This is what crews set out on the day.
• Approvals & permits – the right authorisations for the right road authority (council or DTP/VicRoads), sometimes both when impacts cross boundaries.

A2Z builds AGTTM-aligned TMPs and TGS sets so the paperwork and the on-site setup match. The Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) is the national baseline most road authorities now reference.

Who approves what in Victoria

• Local (council) roads – Apply to the relevant council for road and/or footpath occupation. Your pack typically includes the TMP, TGS, insurances and timing. Councils publish their own conditions and lead times.
• Arterial roads and freeways – When you need to use traffic control devices on arterials (e.g., lane closures, temporary speed limits), an MoA – Memorandum of Authorisation is required from DTP/VicRoads. This MoA authorises the use of devices, often alongside any council consent for occupying the road reserve.
• Charges on arterials – A Road Occupation Charge may apply on declared arterials. Always check if your frontage sits on a declared road before your program works.

Quick rule of thumb: Council = occupying local road space. DTP/VicRoads = authority to use devices on arterials (MoA). Complex jobs can need both. Policies and processing were centralised in 2022 to improve consistency.

Standards, training and safe set-ups

A2Z designs to the AGTTM, which sets out best practice for planning, design, implementation and monitoring of temporary traffic management across Australia and New Zealand. Victorian reforms continue to align practice and accreditation to this guide.

For builders, this means your drawings use the right tapers, buffers, sight distances and sign lists and your on-site setup follows the same standard the assessor expects.

The fast sign-off checklist for builders

Documents and drawings

• TMP covering stages, working hours, speed environment, emergency access and incident response.
• TGS to scale for each stage with device list, taper lengths, sight distance and controller locations.
• Pedestrian continuity including DDA-compliant ramps, hoarding/gantry, and safe crossing points.
• Evidence of insurances and qualified personnel for implementation/monitoring.

Coordination and timing

• Confirm if frontage is arterial (MoA pathway) or local (council occupation), or both.
• Check PT and events calendars, garbage routes, school peaks; propose night or weekend windows where needed.
• Book crane lifts early; some arterials require longer notice and staged submissions.

On-site controls

• Pre-start checks; devices meet AGTTM requirements; live surveillance/monitoring logs; toolbox talks for changes in staging or weather.

Why council applications get delayed (and how to avoid it)

• Generic or not-to-scale TGS with missing device lists.
• No pedestrian plan (no continuous, accessible route).
• Peak-period conflicts in clearways or bus/tram corridors.
• MoA overlooked when impacts touch an arterial or require device use beyond council powers.

Planning for typical builder activities

• Crane lifts and oversized deliveries – Lift zones, truck egress/ingress, exclusion areas, and whether night works reduce disruption. Include PT and emergency corridors in the plan.
• Hoarding, scaffolds and gantries – Encroachments into the road reserve need lighting, sightlines and accessible pedestrian paths. Councils will ask to see this detail in your TMP/TGS.
• Service tie-ins and cuts – Short-window works with higher risk; sequence detours/TGS and notifications to affected stakeholders.
• Narrow/CBD streets – Stage by frontage, consider alternating flow, and prioritise wayfinding so pedestrians know where to go.

Timeframes, fees and what to expect

Processing times vary by authority and complexity. A practical window for straightforward applications is often around 10–15 business days; allow longer on arterials, near major events, or where multiple agencies are involved. Road Occupation Charges may apply on declared arterials; confirm early to avoid budget shocks.