Temporary road closures

If you're looking for information on current road closures, please visit our City road closures page.

On this page you will find information regarding:

Using or closing a road

City of Gold Coast operates and maintains over 3000 kilometres of roads, as well as the verge/footpaths and parking lanes on state-controlled roads.

It is our preference that impact to all road users is minimised as much as possible.

A key focus is:

  • safety and compliance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 3 Works on Road and AS1742.3 and
  • ensuring consistency with the installation of temporary traffic control devices and consideration of all road users.

If you're proposing to perform any activity on our roads or verge/footpaths you'll need to apply for approval.

Road closure restrictions

Restrictions on road closures may apply during the Gold Coast’s busy school holiday periods for works within close proximity to the beach or in locations where the cumulative impacts of multiple development sites will impact the safe operation of the road network. These restrictions are assessed by the Temporary Road Closures team on a case by case basis and are limited where possible.

Restrictions will generally apply to:

  • lane closures
  • half road closures with hold and release
  • half road closures with detour
  • full road closures with detour for works.

Note: These restrictions do not apply to City events.

Approval types

Complete an online application form when conducting activities in, on, across or over a road and involving a verge/footpath, parking lane or travel lane requiring partial or full closure.

Temporary road closures

The City issues a Permit under Local Law 11, for works, or activities that interfere with road operations including full or partial road closures.

Examples include:

  • installing a structure in, on, across or over a road such as a gantry or hoarding
  • construction, maintenance, filming and events.

Works zone

A Works Zone permit is required for using designated parking spaces for vehicle loading and unloading. The spaces must be immediately adjacent to the construction site.

This permit is for exclusive use for more than four weeks.

Temporary parking

A Temporary Parking Permit is required for parking in designated parking spaces exclusively for longer than the regulated time so that the permit holder may engage in a temporary activity.

Examples of activities include:

  • minor maintenance works requiring access to a vehicle (for example, a shop fitout)
  • use of parking to facilitate an event.

If you need a permit for longer than four weeks to facilitate activities at a construction site, an application for a Works Zone permit should be submitted.

Supporting documents

Depending on the type of works/event, you may need to submit the following documents to support your application:

  • a site plan outlining the location of the works and available pedestrian access. This may be sufficient for minor impacts to a verge/footpath provided access for strollers and mobility devices is maintained.
  • a Traffic Management Plan (TMP), designed by a qualified Traffic Management Designer. A TMP is required if detouring pedestrians or there is any interference with the road.
  • an Event Management Plan
  • a Construction Management Plan
  • copies of other approvals (e.g. to conduct works involving breaking ground, such as a City Assets Permit under Local Law 11).

Notice period

Refer to the tables below for details of the required minimum notice period for temporary road closure and works zone permit applications. Please note the following:

  • Permits are issued for a reasonable time, e.g. five business days to complete one days’ work. This allows for contingencies.
  • Full or half-road closures with detours are issued for specific dates with a reasonable time for contingency.
  • Works Zone and Temporary Parking permits are issued for specific dates.

Road works & filming applications

Impact of works/filming Minimum notice period required
A partial interference with the road reserve 10 business days
A full or half-road closure involving a detour of traffic 15 business days

Use our online form to apply for a temporary road closure permit for road works and filming applications.

Events

Applications for event road closures should be lodged through the Events Liaison team.

Type of event Minimum notice period required
Previously approved (annual or recurring) events 1 month
New major events or significant changes to previous events 3 months

Submit the temporary road closure application(PDF, 228KB) form via email to eventapplications@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

The Events Liaison team will liaise with the Temporary Road Closures team on behalf of the applicant to obtain the necessary approvals.

Application assessment criteria

Applications are assessed based on location and include but are not limited to the following considerations:

  • traffic volume
  • traffic movement
  • pedestrian movement
  • cyclist movement
  • geometry of the road
  • public transport services
  • surrounding facilities, businesses and schools
  • other developments in the area
  • identified conflicts
  • stakeholder engagement/notification
  • City events
  • City projects.

The City may change the days and hours of operation requested on the application as a result of the assessment.

Refer to Development sites below for further requirements that could apply.

Submitting an application

To make an application, the applicant must be:

  • an individual (not a company)
  • registered with Temporary Road Closures
  • authorised to submit an application on behalf of the permit holder.

The permit holder must be registered with Temporary Road Closures.

Development sites

We work closely with all stakeholders to ensure open communication and an understanding of impacts that developments are likely to have on the surrounding road network during construction.

Traffic pre-start meetings

All developments that will have a medium to high impact to the City’s network should have a traffic pre-start meeting with the following representatives present before any applications are submitted and a permit is issued:

  • City's Temporary Road Closures team
  • the nominated builder and
  • nominated traffic management company.

To request a traffic pre-start meeting please email TRC@goldcoast.qld.gov.au and be aware of the following:

  • The Temporary Road Closures team will email you a pre-start meeting template to be completed and returned with a copy of your draft CMP and TMP.
  • The template response, CMP and TMP must be submitted to Temporary Road Closures before a traffic pre-start meeting is scheduled.
  • Traffic pre-start meetings will be scheduled on a Wednesday or Thursday between 8.30am and 12.30pm for a maximum of one hour.
  • Scheduled meetings will be for one site only.
  • Meetings will be conducted via TEAMS.
  • There must be a minimum of 5 business days between receipt of the above documents and the traffic pre-start meeting to provide officers time to review the documents, visit the site and seek further information if required.
  • Temporary Road Closure applications for development sites should not be submitted prior to a pre-start meeting taking place.

The meeting will discuss the basics of the build, proposed disruptions to the road network and the City's application and documentation requirements.

Approval to perform any activities or interfere with the road cannot be given until an application and relevant documents have been submitted and approval in writing is provided.

Applications

A number of applications may be required for a development site. This should be determined at the pre-start traffic meeting.

Operational approvals, continuous verge/footpath closures and Works Zone permits will be issued for a maximum of three months.

Activities not included in the operation approval, such as full road closures, will require a separate application with specific dates.

An application to extend or renew any approvals should be submitted no more than 21 days before the end date of current approval.

Applications may be cancelled if the required documents are not submitted or there are delays in the requested start date.

Operational approval

An operational approval may be approved for low-to-medium impact for daily construction activities such as:

Hold and release

Hold and release may be required for the safety of workers on site or the safety of passing road users during construction activities.

Traffic may be held for two minutes maximum with no build-up of traffic permitted. This must be performed by suitably-qualified Traffic Controllers.

Priority must be given to emergency vehicles and Translink bus services.

Daily verge/footpath closures

All efforts should be made to keep pedestrians on the same side of the road where possible.

A comprehensive Options Analysis as required in the MUTCD should be included in the traffic management plan. The City's preference is to:

  • guide pedestrians safely:
    - past the site on the existing verge/footpath
    - around the site through a parking lane (with suitable protection)
    - around the site through a traffic lane (with traffic held by a suitably qualified traffic controller),
  • hold pedestrians for a maximum of two minutes, or
  • detour pedestrians to a like-for-like facility.

A minimum 1.8 metres or the existing footpath width should be provided and include temporary pram ramps where required. All options shall comply with the requirements within the MUTCD including a 'like for like' surface.

After hours the verge/footpath must be returned to normal operational use unless otherwise approved.

Lane closures/half road closures

Lane closures or half road closures may be considered as part of an operational approval if the impact is considered acceptable on a daily basis.

Permitted times and conditions may vary according to the location of the works and the impact. This is strictly based on a site-specific assessment.

The Permit is issued to the traffic management company responsible for implementing the temporary traffic control measures.

Works zone

A Works Zone permit can be applied for to allow for loading and unloading materials if on-street parking is currently available immediately adjacent to the site.

A Works Zone is not for parking of construction-related vehicles or the storage of materials, including skip bins.

A plan should be submitted detailing the full length of the Works Zone and identifying existing crossovers.

The City will initiate the installation of regulatory signs and line marking to support the Works Zone for either:

  • Monday to Friday 6.30am to 6.30pm, or
  • Monday to Saturday 6.30am to 6.30pm.

The parking must be available to the public outside of these times unless otherwise approved.

The Works Zone permit is issued to the Principal Contractor.

Continuous occupation of a verge/footpath

It is the City's first preference that all amenities and materials associated with developments are contained within the property boundary. However, consideration may be given to occupation of the verge/footpath where this is not possible.

On receipt of an application for a full footpath closure with detour, an initial conflict check on the dates only will be conducted and an 'Approval in Principle' via email will be provided.

The email may also request a number of documents (if applicable) including:

  • a draft Letter of Notification to be issued to impacted residents and businesses. Please note this should include a map, not a traffic guidance scheme, to show residents and businesses where the closure is and how they will access their property.
  • a map identifying which residents/businesses will receive the notice and the proposed date of delivery. This may also include properties outside of the closure area that may be significantly impacted by the detour.
  • a Public Notice (template provided by the City) must be installed at both ends of the closure location. The applicant must:
    - print notice — minimum size A3 laminated or printed on core flute,
    - install notice 7 days in advance of the closure, and
    - remove notice once footpath has been reopened

Site sheds, hoarding, etc., should be a minimum 500 millimetres from back of kerb to accommodate on-street parking.

If an overhead pedestrian gantry is required it must be RPEQ certified.

This is strictly based on a site-specific assessment.

The Permit is issued to the Principal Contractor.

Full or half road closures with a detour

On receipt of an application for a full or half road closure with detour, an initial conflict check on the dates only will be conducted and an 'Approval in Principle' via email will be provided.

The email may also request a number of documents (if applicable) including:

  • a draft Letter of Notification to be issued to impacted residents and businesses. Please note this should include a map, not a traffic guidance scheme, to show residents and businesses where the closure is and how they will access their property.
  • a map identifying which residents/businesses will receive the notice and the proposed date of delivery. This may also include properties outside of the closure area that may be significantly impacted by the detour.
  • a document detailing where a Variable Message Sign (VMS) will be located and the wording that will appear on VMS boards:
    - 10 days in advance of the closure and
    - on the day of the closure.
  • a Letter of No Objection from KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd
  • proof of engagement with Translink
  • proof of engagement with Development Compliance for an Out of Hours permit.

The email will advise if a VMS is required and the date residents/businesses must be notified by.

The start date may need to be changed to ensure that compliance with all conditions can be met.

Consideration should be given to the above and relevant documents submitted at the time of lodging the application to minimise delays.

Additional permits & permissions

Queensland Police Service

You may need an additional permit from the Queensland Police Service after a permit has been issued by the City. Contact the Police Station local to the works to obtain a permit.

Light rail – KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd

Download our maps of areas potentially affected by light rail to determine whether your proposal impacts the light rail. Any proposed closure on or adjacent to the light rail corridor is considered to potentially impact light rail activities. If this is the case:

  • contact GoldLinQ to obtain written no objection and requirements regarding safe and reasonable coordination of proposed work/activities within their site.
    - Email: info@ridetheg.com.au
    - Phone: 1800 064 928 (KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd)
  • attach a copy of the no objection when submitting a Temporary Road Closure application.

Translink

For closures that impact bus routes/stops, please complete Translink's online form at least 21 days before works commence.

Provide proof of engagement with Translink when submitting a Temporary Road Closure application

Water and sewerage infrastructure

If the temporary road closure will affect access to City water and sewerage infrastructure you must contact GCW Asset Conflicts at gcwconflictassessments@goldcoast.qld.gov.au before lodging your application.

Check locations of this infrastructure by lodging a Search Request Form for the area concerned.

Excavation within the road reserve/works that interfere with the road

A letter of no objection is required for excavation within the road reserve (including verge) from the City Assets Branch. Contact 1300 GOLDCOAST for more information.

Attach a copy of the no objection when submitting a Temporary Road Closure application.

After-hours building & delivery permit

Legally, building work and deliveries that make an audible noise must only take place between 6.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday. No work is allowed on Sundays and public holidays.

An exemption for an after-hours building and delivery permit may be issued if:

  • works cannot be completed during standard work hours
  • works cause a danger to public safety during standard work hours
  • the works affects public infrastructure, for example, light rail
  • works would cause unacceptable traffic impact if done within standard work hours.

For more information, contact our Development Compliance team:

Phone: 07 5667 5978
Email: mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

For information about current road closures visit City road closures.

Apply for a temporary road closure permit

Online

Step 1.Gather your documents

Refer to 'Supporting documents' section above for information on what is required to support your application.

Note: A minimum 10 business days' notice is required for all applications with the exception of full road closures which require a minimum of 15 business days' notice.

Step 2.Complete and submit our online form

Submit online form

In person

Step 1.Gather your documents

Refer to 'Supporting documents' section above for information on what is required to support your application.

Note: A minimum 10 business days' notice is required for all applications with the exception of full road closures which require a minimum of 15 business days' notice.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Temporary road closure and works zone permit application(PDF, 228KB)

Step 3.Visit one of our customer service centres

Submit your application at one of our customer service centres Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm.

Please ensure you bring your supporting documentation with you.

By mail

Step 1.Gather your documents

Refer to 'Supporting documents' section above for information on what is required to support your application.

Note: A minimum 10 business days' notice is required for all applications with the exception of full road closures which require a minimum of 15 business days' notice.

Application timeframes will not commence until postal applications are received by the specific department. This could take up to 3 days from initial receipt of the application by Council.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Temporary road closure and works zone permit application(PDF, 228KB)

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Post to:

City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726