Local Laws made under the Local Government Act 1989 or Local Government Act 2020 are the primary mechanism for us to regulate works and activities.

Our Activities Local Law protects the use of public places and controls activities in or near them, promoting a safe environment free from hazard and nuisance that meets community expectations.

Our Activities Local Law 2019 requires permits for works and related activities in, on, under, above or adjacent to public land. Requirements of our Local Law include:

• compliance with any obligation imposed by this Code (Part 7)
• obtaining various permits to allow works activities to take place on roads (section 6)
• building works not to create nuisance, and to be confined to certain times (Part 9)
• right to require a construction management plan to be submitted and approved prior to works, and to require compliance with the approved plan (Part 9)
• the implementation of restricted and regulated noise levels that do not impact on a person’s enjoyment of public space (Part 12).
• works planning, permits and documentation
• the design and installation of temporary structures for public protection (like gantries, hoarding and scaffold)
• mobile cranes
• skips
• excavation and shoring
• vehicle crossings
• the use of barricades and signs.

The Code of Practice specifically sets out our requirements for protection of the public and of municipal assets adjoining construction sites in the municipality. Requirements for:

• works planning, permits and documentation
• the design and installation of temporary structures for public protection (like gantries, hoarding and scaffold)
• mobile cranes
• skips
• excavation and shoring
• vehicle crossings
• the use of barricades and signs.

The Code – originally the Code of Good Practice for Construction Sites – was adopted by the former Docklands Authority in 2002 and was last updated in 2007.

The Code is being updated to provide more detailed advice and a broader scope that is better suited to today’s busy capital city.

It aims to raise the standards for maintaining public safety and amenity around works being carried out and reflects best practice.

This amendment intends to provide customers with all of the relevant knowledge about our requirements for works that will affect public space. This will enable the preparation of suitable, appropriately detailed and complete applications in the first instance that we can swiftly consider and approve.

Our objectives for all building, construction and works are to ensure:

• all activities occurring in public space are appropriately managed
• the public are adequately protected from risks associated with any works activity
• adverse impacts to health, safety, amenity and the environment are avoided
• time- and space-efficient occupation where the use of public space is necessary to facilitate works activity
• safe, accessible and convenient movement is maintained past worksites for all road users
• municipal assets are adequately protected and appropriately reinstated.

The Code regulates the conduct of building work across the municipality, setting requirements that ensure public safety and amenity where works interact with public space. The amended Code updates and broadens those requirements.

Works can be better planned and carried out with improved outcomes for the community, as builders will have improved clarity around our requirements and expectations. Clear and detailed requirements also support compliance and enforcement, with swift action possible where the Code is not adhered to.

The amended Code will better articulate all our requirements that you must meet before, during and after conducting works that affect public space. No surprises…

It brings all our requirements together into one document to make it easier for you to understand your obligations and our expectations – these were previously spread across multiple forms, webpages, fact sheets, permit conditions, etc.

We understand that it’s a large document, but if you’re conducting works in the municipality of Melbourne, you must simply be across the content and comply with its requirements.

It is presented in easy to understand, unambiguous language.

It is both comprehensive and easy to use as a reference guide, with our requirements arranged into relevant categories that reflect your works activities and our approvals process.