What is a temporary road closure?

A temporary road closure is approval from the Council for a road to be closed to traffic and/or pedestrians at a specified location for a specified period.  It ensures that you can complete your work or hold your event to the standards prescribed by the Local Government Act 1974 and 2002 and/or Transport Regulations 1965.

You must obtain consent for a temporary road closure:

• If a road or part of a road needs to be closed for an event; or
• If works need to be carried out on or under the road.

Why do I need to apply for a temporary road closure?

You are required under the Local Government Act 1974, sections 11(a) – 11(e), and the Local Government act 2002 and/or Transport Regulations 1965, to request permission to temporarily close a road. In certain situations where the Council owns the land or property affected (e.g. an event in a park), you may not have to apply for a road closure.  Closing the road without an approved traffic management plan and approved temporary road closure application is illegal, and may result in a fine being imposed.

How do I apply for a temporary road closure?

To apply you should download the application form and send it to Council. If the information you submit is incomplete, or does not provide the level of detail required, there will be delays in processing your application.  If you do not provide sufficient information relating to traffic management during the closure, your application may be rejected.  This information may include (but is not limited to):

• Details of traffic management contingencies
• Site closure methodology
• Site specific signage layout

You must engage a qualified site traffic management supervisor (STMS) to create your traffic management plan.

How long does it take to process an application?

Temporary road closures may be granted either for events or for road works.  It takes considerably longer to meet the requirements of the Local Government act for an event road closure than for road works. In most cases you must publically notify the proposed closure in the local papers for a minimum of 6 weeks before the date of the closure. This means the application must be received by Council at least 8 weeks before the event to meet the advertising deadlines.
The length of time it takes to process a temporary road closure application also depends on the complexity of the application and its associated traffic management plan. If you are requested to provide further information, your application will be placed on hold until you provide the required information.

When can I close the road?

You can only close the road when you receive the following from Council:

• Your approved temporary road closure application form
• Your approved traffic management plan
• Confirmation that you have satisfied all the conditions of the approval

You can only close the road on the dates and times specified, and by the method specified.

What can I expect from the Council as a result of my application?

The content of your application will be reviewed against the criteria set out in the Local Government Act 1974 and 2002 and/or Transport Regulations 1965, and the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management. Once we are satisfied that your application meets the necessary standards, we will begin work on ensuring that your event or road works can proceed in the timeframe and manner you have requested.  As soon as the requirements have been met, we will let you know the outcome of your application.

What does it cost to close a road?

The cost for processing a road closure for fundraising/community events is $504, or for private events is $617 as per Council's Fees and Charges. These prices now include the costs for advertising the road closures.

Who can I speak to about my temporary road closure application?

The Team Leader - Projects in Kaimai Consultants is employed to co-ordinate, review and consider all applications for temporary road closures.  If you have any questions or need assistance with your application please contact the Team Leader Projects by phoning 0800 746 467.