Authorisation and Delegation Update 2025
Transport for NSW have recently updated the authorisation and delegation for councils under the NSW Roads Act 1993 and Road Transport Act 2013. The authorisation and delegation allows Councils to use prescribed traffic control devices such as signs and markings that are enforceable. The most significant update from these changes is the renaming of the Local Traffic Committee to the Local Transport Forum, along with a shift in the activities that are to be considered by these forums. Full details of the changes, along with a guide, accompanying fact sheets, a checklist, and examples can be found at: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/roads-and-waterways/committees-communities-and-groups/committees-and-groups/transports. For more information or to attend an online training course, email delegated_works@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Improving Level Crossing Safety
The Level Crossing Working Group (LCWG) is working on two initiatives to support the Level Crossing Strategy Council in improving level crossing safety.
Morgan Spruce – Paper at IPWC25
Paper presented by Morgan Spruce at the 2025 International Public Works Conference, Sydney, Australia, 26 August 2025.
Dams Safety Act 2015 Statutory Review
The Directorate has recently coordinated a submission to the NSW Government’s Statutory Review of the Dams Safety Act 2015, highlighting the financial and operational impacts of the legislation on local councils. Prepared in collaboration with the Water Directorate and informed by feedback from council asset managers and engineers, the submission raises concerns about the cost shifting associated with the new Dams Safety NSW levy, which commenced on 1 July 2025. It also outlines how compliance costs are prompting some councils to reduce the scale of proposed or existing dams, potentially increasing community risk and reducing service levels. The submission calls for clearer cost attribution, greater transparency, and a more equitable funding model that reflects the public safety role of council-owned dams. It reinforces the Institute’s commitment to advocating for sustainable infrastructure management and fair regulatory frameworks for local government. If you’d like to contact the Directorate in relation to this submission, please email rtd@ipweansw.org
RTD Submission – Interventions to reduce road trauma in regional NSW caused by speeding, fatigue, drink and drug driving
The Directorate has recently provided a submission to the Staysafe committee’s inquiry on the disproportion and impact of behavioural elements influencing crashes in regional NSW. The submission has been prepared with feedback from RSO’s, Council Executives and road safety experts. It highlights the pivotal role of local government in achieving Vision Zero, whilst underlining that significant support is required from the state, to achieve this their milestones. If you’d like to contact the Directorate in relation to this submission, please email rtd@ipweansw.org
DRFA Reform – Collection of Council Data
On 16 May 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) wrote to councils to advise of forthcoming changes to the way NSW delivers its responsibilities under the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). From 1 October 2025, the RA – working in partnership with NSW Public Works (NSWPW) and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) – will assume central responsibility for the administration, oversight and assessment of Essential Public Asset Reconstruction (EPAR), including Emergency Works (EW) and Immediate Reconstruction Works (IRW). While TfNSW and NSWPW will continue to provide technical and engineering support to councils, the RA will lead the coordination, assessment and funding of all EPAR, EW and IRW claims. A detailed transition plan is being developed to support this change and to strengthen systems, processed and resourcing arrangements. One key area of work underway is the development of benchmark rates for common road reconstruction treatments to help streamline EPAR application and assessment processes and reduce approval timeframes. To support this, the RA has engaged NSWPW to assist with the development of NSW Benchmark rates. These will be made available to councils as an optional tool to support the preparation of EPAR costings following natural disasters. NSWPW are now seeing input from your council on unit rates for typical road treatments – including sealed and unsealed road surfaces, as well as drainage structures – to help inform this work. NSWPW are requesting a copy of your capital works estimation spreadsheet that have unit rates developed from previous actual costings, other any unit rates costings that you may have for the following items; NSWPW understands that this list is extensive, but wish to get any of these items that you may already have in your estimation tools . Your participation in this consultation is important to ensure the benchmark rates reflect a realistic and consistent understanding of post-disaster reconstruction costs across NSW. The timeframe on this project is quite tight, so if Councils can have your unit rates back to us as soon as possible, or by 14th July , that would be appreciated. NSW Public Works Project lead – Michelle Viola 0447 816 338 or michelle.viola@pwa.nsw.gov.au , or any of your local NSW Public Work team. If you have any questions regarding the DRFA reform process, please reach out to drfa.queries@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au ,
EV Charging Submission
IPWEA NSW & ACT provided a submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Infrastructure for electric and alternative energy source vehicles in NSW. This submission focussed on the issues relating to charging infrastructure within the local road reserve, and also the role that councils play in manging the provision of such services to their communities. The submission can be accessed below.
Inquiry into Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services – NSW Government Response
IPWEA NSW & ACT notes the government response to the final report into the Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services. Whilst this response addresses some of the issues associated with local government infrastructure funding, it does little to address the fundamental challenges. The Insitute will also be advocating for a seat on the expert advisory panel that is proposed under the government response. The submission can be access below.
April 2025 Webinar – Design of Roads and Streets Manual
Watch the recording of the RTD’s April Webinar covering the Design of Roads and Streets manual. The manual is intended to be a reference for designers, planners and engineers. It pulls together design solutions, design parameters and local examples to guide practitioners in making contextual improvements to roads, streets and civic spaces. Learn about all the features of the Design of Roads and Streets manual, hear about how the principles of the manual are being applied in NSW and have an opportunity to ask the authors questions. Webinar speakers:
Roads Act 1993 Review
Transport for NSW are currently conducting a review of the NSW Roads Act, and the Roads and Transport Directorate are representing our members on the peer review advisory group, which has been convened to provide options to government for updates to the Act. You can read our submission to the initial issues paper for this review below.
