Driveway crossover Adelaide: council rules for a new build

Kerb, invert and verge: what the crossover consists of

Port Adelaide Enfield’s Council Policy TS03 Driveway Crossovers (last adopted 10 June 2025; next review May 2028) defines a driveway crossover as “the section of driveway located within Council’s verge area between the property boundary and roadside kerb. This includes the kerb and invert.” Its standard detail SK1006 is titled Driveway Crossover Invert (Residential and Industrial).

Port Adelaide Enfield and West Torrens each publish their own construction details. Port Adelaide Enfield’s standard details SK1006 to SK1010 cover the crossover invert, the layout in concrete and in block paving, the section and the dimensions. The City of West Torrens lists engineering specification sheets WTC300 to WTC305, covering laybacks, concrete and brick-paved crossover layouts and a cross-section, and states that “all work must be done according to the specification sheets and the conditions set out on the application forms.”

Inside the boundary, the driveway is part of the house design, and the levels where the two meet are set on the site plan.

• Setout, peg-out and the site cut

Is the crossover included in the development approval?

Schedule 8 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 sets out plans for applications. For a planning-consent application proposing building work within clause 2 of that Schedule, clause 2(1)(a)(xii) requires the site plan to show, “if a new or modified driveway or access point is proposed, the width of the vehicle crossover, the driveway width at the front boundary, the minimum and maximum driveway widths and the location of any street furniture, infrastructure or tree within the road reserve abutting the property”. For building work that is accepted development, clause 4(1)(f)(i) asks, where a vehicle access point is to be established and if relevant, for documentary evidence that it “has been authorised under section 221 of the Local Government Act 1999”.

Councils describe how their own permits relate to that approval. Port Adelaide Enfield’s TS03 states that “approval is not required if an alteration is to provide vehicle access to and from land adjoining the road and is approved as part of a Development Authorisation (Planning Approval)”, and then adds: “A permit under Section 221 and 222 of the Local Government Act, 1999 is still required for the associated works relating to the occupation of roads and footpaths.” The City of Playford states: “You don’t need a separate driveway application if the driveway is indicated on plans that are lodged for approval through Council. However, if your driveway is not indicated on the approved plans, you will need to submit an application.”

Which permits a particular build needs for the crossover and the works around it is for the council for that address to confirm, against the plans actually approved.

Driveway crossover application with an Adelaide council

Where a separate application is needed, the form and process belong to the council. Port Adelaide Enfield uses an Application to Complete Works on Council Land. West Torrens states that “Council approval is needed if you plan to install a new driveway or cross-over” between the boundary and the kerb, and offers an online application or a printable application titled Permission to construct a vehicular crossing place.

Playford’s Application for Driveway Installation and Kerb Cutting for Drainage Outlet asks the applicant to mark the driveway width and location on the kerb before a council inspection, and sets a minimum lodgement lead time before the installation date. Its page adds that, if approved, “Council will cut the kerb or footpath to allow for the installation of the driveway.”

In 2023 the State Planning Commission consulted on a draft state design standard for residential driveway crossovers. PlanSA’s design standards page records that the Commission recommended the draft standard and Code Amendment “not proceed in their current form”, that the Minister agreed, and that the Commission has asked for driveway crossovers to be incorporated into engineering standards being prepared for residential land divisions in growth areas.

Moving or widening a crossover on a knockdown rebuild

A knockdown rebuild can move the garage away from the old crossover. Port Adelaide Enfield’s TS03 assesses secondary crossovers and extensions to existing ones against its objectives, giving “strong consideration” to on-street parking, street trees and landscaping, road and pedestrian safety, the appearance of the streetscape, and compliance with the Planning and Design Code.

Port Adelaide Enfield’s Engineering Siteworks Plans guide sets distances for a new crossover: 0.5 metres (minimum) or 1.0 m (desirable) from street furniture, poles and service pits, and not within 6.0 metres of an intersection, “consistent with the requirements of the Planning and Design Code, and AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 section 3.2.3”. Playford’s application form requires a 1 m clearance from obstructions such as power poles and service pits.

Playford’s form makes the applicant responsible for arranging any relocation of non-council services in the verge with the relevant authorities.

• Knockdown rebuild services
• What can stop or reshape a rebuild on a block

A street tree near the crossover

West Torrens states: “You will also need approval to remove any street trees in the path of the driveway.” Playford’s form requires crossovers to be located at least 2 m from the outside of the trunk of an existing street tree, and states that removal of a verge tree “will only be considered where there is no alternative suitable location for the driveway.”

Port Adelaide Enfield’s siteworks guide sets 2.0 metres (minimum) from the base of a council street tree and warns that “it should not be assumed that existing Council street trees can be removed”, recommending that applicants confirm with the council before finalising plans. Where a tree is kept, the garage and driveway are drawn around it.

Removing a redundant crossover and reinstating the kerb

When a rebuild moves the driveway, the old crossover becomes redundant. Port Adelaide Enfield’s TS03 states that “all redundant driveway crossovers shall be removed at the expense of the landowner”, including removal of the invert and “reinstatement of upright kerb and footpaths (where applicable) to match existing”, and adds: “It is the responsibility of the landowner to negotiate with their builder” to have the work done.

West Torrens describes its Verge Management Policy as stipulating that redundant vehicular crossing places “must be removed and replaced with kerb and gutter that matches the existing structure, unless otherwise agreed by Council.” Playford’s form places removal of obsolete crossovers on the property owner, including reinstating kerb and watertable and rehabilitating the verge.

• Site costs on an Adelaide block

Who builds the crossover, and the kerb during the build

Port Adelaide Enfield “requires the landowner or permit holder to engage an experienced and licensed contractor” for works on council land, and requires the council to be contacted to arrange an inspection of the finished work by its City Assets department. Its policy states that the council “does not contribute to the cost for the construction of new driveway crossovers”, and adds that it may consider contributing where, during the authorisation process, it requires the landowner to alter verge levels for flood protection and has agreed to contribute before the works. Playford’s form has the applicant arrange a qualified tradesman to build to the council’s standard drawings and notify the council for a final inspection.

The kerb and footpath are exposed for the whole build. The City of West Torrens runs a program in which its officers inspect council infrastructure “before, during and after construction”, and states that the property owner is responsible for repairing damage to “footpaths, driveway crossovers, kerbs and gutters”, including damage from contractors.

• New build services