Roads

Footpath Repairs
Footpaths are inspected every two years and a small percentage of high risk sections are inspected annually. Faults or damage are then recorded and scheduled for repair. The most common damages reported are:

• Uneven surfaces
• Cracks
• Tripping hazards
• Overgrown plants/trees
• Potholes

To report damage to a footpath please contact Customer Service on 8470 8888.

Kerb and Channel Repairs
Kerbs and Channels are inspected annually and any faults or damage are then recorded and scheduled for repair. The most common damages reported are:

• Broken kerbs
• Missing kerbs
• Water ponding
• Sibsided kerbs

To report any kerb or channel damage please contact Customer Service on 8470 8888.

Minor Road Repairs
Roads are inspected every 6, 12 and 24 months according to traffic volume and risk factors.Faults and damage are then recorded and scheduled for repair. The most common damages reported are:

• Potholes
• Cracks
• Deterioration of surface

To report any damage to roads please contact Customer Service on 8470 8888.

Traffic and Parking Sign Repair
Inspections on all traffic and parking signs within Darebin are conducted on a regular basis. Any faults or damages are then recorded and scheduled for repair or replacement. Common damages reported are:

• Missing signs
• Damaged signs
• Signs with poor visibility

To report any damage to signs please contact Customer Service on 8470 8888.

Line and Road Markings
Inspections are conducted regularly and any faults or damage are then recorded and scheduled for repair or maintenance. Most common damage reported is poorly visible lines. To report any damage please contact Customer Service on 8470 8888.

Street Furniture Repairs

• Street Furniture includes:
• Rubbish Bins
• Bollards
• Seats
• Barriers
• Fences

These are inspected regularly and any faults or damage are then reported and scheduled for repair or replacement.To report damage please contact Customer Service on 8470 8888.

Street Lights
Street lights in Darebin are owned and maintained by the electricity distributors listed below. Electricity distributors inspect street lights regularly to determine maintenance requirements in accordance with Victoria’s Public Lighting Code. Lights are no longer installed in laneways, to protect private property or where they will not operate effectively. 

You can report street light faults directly to these companies below.

Faults in Preston, Reservoir, Kingsbury, Fairfield & Alphington* 
Jemena – 13 16 26 or customerrelations@jemena.com.au or via Jemena’s website

[* Fairfield and Alphington north of Edwin and Chingford Streets contact CitiPower – see below]

Faults in Northcote and Thornbury 
Citipower - 13 12 80 or info@citipower.com.au  or via CitiPower's website

Faults in Bundoora & MacLeod
AusNet Services - 13 17 99 or streetlight@ausnetservices.com.au

When reporting a fault, please state the number on the lighting pole or address of the property it is in front of. 

Where a distributor does not repair a public light within 2 business days of a fault report or a period otherwise agreed between the distributor and the person who reported it, it must pay the first person who reported the fault a minimum of $10 if that person is the occupier of an immediately neighbouring residence or is the proprietor of an immediately neighbouring business. If the light is reported by someone not neighbouring the light, it will take longer to be fixed.

M80 Ring Road Upgrade
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade may affect traffic from the Princes Freeway at Laverton North to the Greensborough Highway at Greensborough.  This project is being managed by VicRoads. For more information read the M80 Ring Road Upgrade Factsheet.

Further Information
Customer Service
Phone: 8470 8888

Road Permits
In accordance with the Road Management Act 2004, any works undertaken within a public road reserve (either roadway or roadside) requires consent from the Coordinating Road Authority (Darebin Council for all municipal roads within Darebin), unless an exemption applies as defined under any Road Management Regulations.

Various forms of consent exist, depending on the type of road works to be undertaken:

Works within Road Reserves
A Works within Road Reserves Application Form applies for excavation within the road/road reserve that exceed 8.5sqm under the Road Management Act.

Works involving less than 8.5m3 excavation within the road or road reserve require a road opening permit (see below), permits are also available from our Customer Service Centres.

Road Opening
Road Opening permits are to be used by contractors and private individuals who wish to undertake “minor works” as defined in the Road Management (Works and Infrastructure) Regulations 2015, such as service connections and minor stormwater connections. This form is also used for any works on Council assets not within a road reserve.

All works on Council assets require a permit. You need to print, complete and submit the Road Opening Application Form to obtain a permit.  You can Lodge a Road Opening Permit Online.

Work conducted on Council assets must also comply with the specifications in the Road Opening Conditions to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

Damage or failure to return the Council assets to an acceptable standard may result in Council conducting repairs/maintenance work at the expense of the person responsible.    

Vehicle Crossing Permit

Vehicle crossings are the responsibility of the owner, however permits are required to acquire, move, change or add a vehicle crossing to their property. 

Firstly you will need to print, complete and submit the Vehicle Crossing Permit Application Form. Note: Please read the Vehicle Crossing Policy  

If your permit application form is approved you can then proceed to apply for a permit

You will need to read the Crossover Specifications  print, complete and submit a Vehicle Crossing Permit Application.

Alternatively you can complete the application form or permit application directly Online by visiting the Applications  page.

Further Information
Customer Service
Phone: 8470 8888

Drains
Maintenance of Council drains, pits, kerbs and channels are conducted regularly to ensure they are operating effectively and are free from blockage. Any faults and damage are reported and scheduled for repair.

Most common damages reported are:

• Broken or damaged pit lids
• Blocked drains
• Flooding

To report damage to a drain contact Customer Service - 8470 8888.

Private Drains
There are two drainage systems that remove water from your home or business; sewerage and storm water.

The sewerage system removes water from your laundry, kitchen, bathroom and toilet to the main sewer maintained by Yarra Valley Water.

For any sewerage problems, contact Yarra Valley Water on 13 27 62.

The storm water system removes water from your house or business to a Council drain. This includes pipes in the road reserve, laneway or drainage reserve that connect to the Council drain.

For any storm water problems you need to contact a plumber.

Both of these systems are private drainage systems. Property owners/residents are responsible for cleaning and repairing these drains.

Further Information
Customer Service
Ph: 8470 8888

Asset Management Policy
The policy sets vision and outlines the fundamental principles and assigns general responsibilities for how the Darebin City Council will manage its assets. The policy applies to the creation, acquisition, operation, use, maintenance, renewal and disposal of all Council assets.

This policy applies to Council owned physical assets and all physical assets that Council does not own but has direct responsibility for or control over e.g. Bundoora Park. Council Officers undertake asset management activities in accordance with the applicable policies, strategies and service needs of the various departments of the Council.

The revised policy proposes the following fundamental principles:

• As and when assets are acquired, renewed, upgraded or divested/decommissioned, the current community’s wishes and needs shall be considered
• Asset Management is a core activity of the Council
• Council is committed to the implementation of advanced Asset Management practices to enable the effective and affordable provision of asset-based services
• Council’s Asset Management activities will be undertaken with reference to the Council Plan, applicable policies and strategies of the Council, the service needs of the community and within available resources
• Risk associated with the ownership and operation of our assets should be understood, with plans in place to address and respond to the elimination or mitigation of those risks, as part of the asset management activities of the organisation
• Council will use a renewal funding percentage target to adequately fund the replacement of its assets where they are identified as still being of service to the community
• Council will own and/or operate assets in a manner that ensures long term sustainability and is respectful of the environment.
• Council recognises the contribution to community life that assets present to actively enhance community wellbeing through health, social, cultural and environmental connectivity.

For further information view the Darebin Asset Management Policy 2013.

Road Management Plan
Darebin Council will conduct a review of its Road Management Plan in accordance with the Road Management Act 2004.  The purpose of the review is to ensure the standards and priorities given to road inspections, maintenance and repair are efficient and appropriate for use by the community. 

A copy of the Road Management Plan and the Register of Public Roads can be downloaded below or alternatively, a copy will be available at one of Darebin’s Customer Service Centres