Is your crossover compliant?

A new inspection program targeting non-compliant driveway access points will roll out across Baw Baw Shire.

Inspections will be carried out across urban areas from July.

Property owners and builders are being encouraged to act now to ensure their crossovers, also known as driveway access points, are compliant to avoid later costs.

Following council inspections, notices will be issued from August to any non-compliant crossovers. The notice will require property owners to bring their crossover into compliance at their own cost.

Council said the new inspection program would help improve public safety and reduce damage to community infrastructure.

Baw Baw Shire’s local laws require a suitable crossover to be installed at any point where vehicles access private property from council assets, such as roadways and nature strips.

It warned many were currently non-compliant and constructed with inappropriate materials.

These crossovers may be unable to support vehicle weight, leading to costly and hazardous damage to footpaths, nature strips, kerbing and roadways, council says.

Council added the avoidable cost to repair footpath damage was about $120,000 each year.

“Compliant crossovers are important to ensure the safety of all those using our roads and footpaths,” mayor Annemarie McCabe said. “This inspection program will aim to identify and reduce the number of non-compliant crossovers in urban areas within the shire to minimise the damage to community assets, reduce hazards for pedestrians and drivers, and bring down the cost to ratepayers from repairing damage that is avoidable.”

“Anyone with questions about the compliance of their crossover is encouraged to contact our asset protection team,” Cr McCabe added. “They can help answer any queries and ensure your crossover is compliant with standards and local law.”

For further information, email works@ bawbawshire.vic.gov.au or call 5624 2411.