When Is Police Approval Required for Traffic Control Works in NSW?

Police approval is usually required when traffic control works involve a full road closure, a TfNSW Road Occupancy Licence or an event involving public roads. However, rules can differ between councils. This is particularly important if you’re planning roadworks, a crane lift or a site delivery because there is no single statewide rule.

This week, AAA Traffic Control experts explain where police approval fits in a larger scheme, so you are greeted with green lights throughout the project.

1. Who Approves What on NSW Roads?

Approval for traffic control depends on the road, the type of work and the council’s conditions. 

Three parties sit behind most traffic control services work in NSW. 

• Transport for NSW (TfNSW) manages State roads, and councils manage local roads. 
• NSW Police become involved when traffic control works close or restrict a road beyond the routine.
• A Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) covers the use of road space only, and some councils state that they do not approve your traffic control plan.

Police approval sits alongside the other approvals, not in place of them. Each approval answers a different question, which is why it’s best to map traffic control approvals together.

AAA Traffic Control maps these approval pathways at the planning stage, so you don’t have to chase anything after your works are initiated.

2. The Role of Road Occupancy Licences

TfNSW requires an ROL for any activity likely to affect traffic flow. Interestingly, this is even when the work happens off the road.

This can include:

• TfNSW restricts planned roadwork around school and public holiday periods.
• If your works affect a bus route or stop, you might need written NOC confirmation.
• Some ROL conditions require the right TfNSW certifications.

Our planners at AAA Traffic Control check these restricted periods and certification requirements before a date is locked in.

Did you know? Applications for traffic control on State roads go through their system, where a reasonable amount of time, say 10 days, must be considered. Further, councils generally apply the ROL test to State roads and to works within 100 metres of traffic signals (some may consider 50 metres).

3. When Police Approval Is Usually Required

Next, we’ll discuss some situations that most often trigger a police permit for traffic control across Sydney councils. 

Know that the information below can change over time:

• Full road closures. North Sydney and Willoughby councils both list NSW Police approval as part of a full closure application.
• Lane closures in some council areas. Ryde’s road activity permits checklist asks for a NSW Police permit where the traffic control setup needs a temporary lane or road closure.
• Works that need a TfNSW ROL. North Sydney’s occupancy conditions require police approval wherever an ROL is needed.
• Works on classified State roads. Inner West’s permit terms call for written approval from the Police Traffic Branch alongside the TfNSW permit, and advise contacting the local Police Traffic Sergeant when roadway works interrupt traffic and need traffic control.
• Races and police-run events. Road races and speed trials need police approval, and other types of events still need an Approval to Conduct.

Generally, North Sydney Council lists a minimum of three days’ notice to police, and in the City of Sydney you may be asked to discuss user-pay police for a closure.

At AAA Traffic Control, we check your job against these triggers, council by council, before a plan is lodged. 

4. When Police Approval Is Usually Not the Deciding Factor

In most council conditions we see, police approval is tied to closures and higher impact works. 

This is where a short stop/slow traffic control arrangement for minor repairs on a local road often proceeds under council consent and a compliant traffic management plan. 

Councils write their own rules, though, which is why local knowledge matters for traffic control Sydney projects. AAA Traffic Control can tell you early whether your job sits on the police side of the line or the council side. 

5. Quick Reference for Traffic Control Approvals

Let’s have a look at where you’d usually require police approval in NSW.

Situation	Police approval	Also likely needed
Full road closure	Usually yes	Council approval, traffic management plan
Lane closure on a local road	Depends on the council	Section 138 consent, traffic control plan
Work on a State road or near signals	Often yes	TfNSW ROL
Race or police-run event	Yes	Council consent, event traffic control plan
Minor stop/slow on a local road	Often not	Council consent, traffic management plan

6. Get the Traffic Management Plan Right

Whichever approval applies, reviewers will look at your traffic management plan and the traffic guidance scheme that sets out your traffic control measures. 

TfNSW published and updated a Technical Standard, and a legislative update to road work speed limit signs to follow the standard. If your traffic control plan still cites the old manual, have it reviewed before you lodge.

Get a review and update yours quickly and at the best rate.

How We Can Help

Not sure which approvals your job needs? AAA Traffic Control would be glad to help you navigate the complexities with ease. At AAA Traffic Control, we deliver the traffic control Sydney sites need, and we have experts who are TfNSW G10 certified. 

Traffic control services at AAA Traffic Control also include traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes prepared to the latest standard. 

If you need help with security or a police approval for traffic control work in NSW, please contact us at

FAQs

Q. What is the difference between an ROL and a council road occupancy permit? 

An ROL comes from TfNSW and covers State roads. A council permit covers local roads and footpaths. If your works are on a State road or close to traffic signals, you may need both. And lastly, neither approval is a sign-off on your traffic control plan.

Q. Do I need police approval for a road closure in NSW? 

Usually, yes. North Sydney and Willoughby councils, for example, list NSW Police approval as part of a full closure application. Closures can also need approval from a local traffic committee. North Sydney Council lists a minimum of 3 days’ notice to police, but we recommend checking your council’s timeframe.

Q. Can I close a road for a crane lift in Sydney? 

Yes, with approvals. Mobile crane closures in the City of Sydney go through a traffic committee process, and conditions can include an ROL from the Transport Management Centre and a discussion with local police about user-pay police. Applications need a traffic management plan.

Q. What are user-pay police? 

User-pay police are officers deployed for a private job, closure or event at the applicant’s cost. City of Sydney conditions have asked applicants to contact the local police area command to discuss them for road closures. Crucially, costs and availability are set by NSW Police.

Q. What happens if I start traffic control works without approval? 

ROL conditions permit TfNSW, a police officer or an authorised council officer to change or cancel a licence at very short notice. We have seen councils refuse or withdraw permits and impose penalties as well. That is why at AAA Traffic Control, we always map approvals before a crew goes on site.