NEW Delegations give NSW local councils more control

The new Temporary Delegation from Transport for NSW (TfNSW) makes it easier for local Councils to install pedestrian crossings (and other minor works) on local roads.

TfNSW has recently issued a new ‘Temporary Delegation to Councils’ that makes it easier for councils to install a range of minor traffic works on local streets by exempting these works from review by the Local Traffic Committee (LTC) process - see Temporary delegation to councils for minor works | Transport for NSW (full explanation and list of approved minor works). 

Previously councils did not control changes on local streets and required  all new traffic control facilities on local streets to be reviewed by the Local Traffic Committee for their Local Government Area (LGA). Created in the 1970s, LTCs are unique to New South Wales.  


What does this change mean for Community?
Under this delegation Councils are able to respond to requests for minor works such as pedestrian crossings without needing approval from an LTC. This change removes red tape and makes it faster for a Council to respond to a request and to implement their own priorities. (Note: This change is recent and not all Council officers are aware of the new Temporary Delegation).
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How can the Community use the new delegation to ask Council for a crossing on a local street?
People in the community can approach Council with more confidence because Councils can now use the new delegation to seek a faster approval to install a pedestrian crossing, given the request meets TfNSW criteria, without approval from an LTC. The new Delegation only applies under certain circumstances, e.g.: not within 100 metres of a set of traffic signals, only on a local road with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, not on bus routes or within 50m of a light rail corridor. Community members approaching Council should ensure officers are aware of the new Temporary Delegation, and inform Councils officers that they are authorised to install crossings (and 10 other minor works) without LTC approval. Note: Community members should also be aware that TfNSW pedestrian warrants do not apply on local roads. 

Other minor works included: 

• works to enable alfresco dining on a road (where there is no change to the number of continuous travel lanes)
• continuous footpaths
• converting existing pedestrian (zebra) crossings to raised pedestrian ('wombat') crossings
• mid-block treatments to manage vehicle speed including road humps, road cushions, chicanes and slow points
• pedestrian crossings
• pedestrian refuges
• 'No Stopping' controls at intersections
• kerb build-outs to reduce intersection crossing distance or manage vehicle speed (where there is no change to the number of continuous travel lanes)
• kerb modifications for footpath improvements or tree planting (where there is no change to the number of continuous travel lanes)
• associated changes to kerbside parking necessary to implement the proposal and to offset any parking impacts.