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Crossover inspections in Baw Baw Shire urban areas to improve safety to start July 2023

From July 2023, Baw Baw Shire Council will inspect crossovers in urban areas to improve safety. Many crossovers fail to meet regulations and use unsuitable materials.

By news@gippsland - 21st June 2023 - Back to News

In a dedicated effort to bolster public safety and mitigate damage to vital infrastructure, Baw Baw Shire Council will be initiating crossover inspections in urban areas starting July 2023. Under council's Local Law it is mandatory for a suitable crossover - also referred to as driveway access points - to be installed wherever vehicles access private property from council assets, including roadways and nature strips.

The road reserve extends from property boundary to property boundary and includes, but is not limited to, the road pavement, kerb and channel, nature strip, footpath and vehicle crossing

Crossovers that fail to comply

Initial investigations have found that numerous crossovers within the Baw Baw Shire, particularly in urban regions, fail to comply with regulations and are constructed using unsuitable materials. The usage of inadequate materials in crossovers compromises their ability to bear the weight of vehicles, leading to costly and hazardous damage to footpaths, nature strips, kerbing, and roadways.

As a result, council currently expends approximately $120,000 on safety works and avoidable damage repairs each year. Throughout July, council will undertake detailed inspections to identify non-compliant crossovers in urban areas. Following these investigations, owners of properties possessing non-compliant crossovers may receive notices requiring them to rectify their crossovers at their own expense.

Ensure crossover compliance

Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe said, "Reducing the number of non-compliant crossovers in urban areas will help to prevent costly and avoidable damage to community assets, and improve safety for pedestrians and drivers."

"If you are a new property owner or builder, it is important to make sure that your driveway access points comply with regulations to avoid future expense. If you are unsure whether your crossovers follow the rules, please reach out to our helpful Asset Protection team. They are happy to answer any questions and ensure your crossover is up to standard," Ms McCabe said.

For more information about the importance of compliant crossovers, or to contact the Asset Protection team, please visit Crossovers, Nature Strips, Road Reserves and Asset Protection page.

Pictures from Baw Baw shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com