RURAL AREAS

Shelter belt planting is not permitted on the road reserve.

In some cases in rural areas we may permit the planting of trees/vegetation in the road reserve if Council Officers do not think it will cause visibility issues. Council does not actively encourage planting of trees and shrubs on the road reserve as often they cause safety and visibility issues once fully matured, however the following types of trees and shrubs are potentially suitable for roadside planting:

• Sophora microphylla or prostrata (Small-leafed Kowhai)
• Dodonea viscosa purpurea (Purple Akeake, less frost tender than the green)
• Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood)
• Pseudopanax ferox or P. crassiflolia (Lancewood, Horoeka)
• Hoheria populnea (Lace bark)
• Olearia hectorii or O. fragrantissima (Hectors tree daisy)
• Fraxinus ornus (Mana ash)
• Acer rubrum ‘Walter Columnar’ (Maple)
• Quercus robur ‘fasitagata’ (Columnar oak)

Other species may be acceptable and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Planting should be a mix of deciduous and evergreen. Taller species should be narrow growers. Plantings should not cast heavy shade or seed/sucker freely.

Council reserves the right to require a qualified arborists’ report on the structure and condition of the plants at the cost of the applicant, and may request future removal.

In the first instance you can email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees). Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

URBAN AREAS

Planting trees in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted.

Street trees are planted by Council in the road reserve on some streets. If you would like to petition for street trees to be planted in your area, contact the Parks and Recreation Unit at Council on 03 687 7200.

RURAL AREAS

Temporary fencing is permitted in the road reserve in rural areas without permit or licence provided that:

• Plastic standards are used (you must not use steel warratahs)
• Fencing is placed at least 1.5m from the edge of unsealed roads or 2.5m from the edge of sealed roads.
• Fencing only occupies the road reserve for a maximum of 20 consecutive days.

We encourage residents installing temporary fencing to think first and foremost about safety and to ensure there is enough room on the road reserve for a car/road user to pull over.

Temporary fencing in rural areas is monitored by Council’s Land Transport Unit, who may request removal if fencing poses a risk to road users.

URBAN AREAS

In the first instance email CAR@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

RURAL AREAS

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees). Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

The standard minimum distance of above ground services from the road edge varies based on road surfacing type, road width, and volume of traffic, but is required to be a minimum of 6.0m from the centre of the formed road. High traffic volume roads will require services to be a minimum of 10.0m from centre of the formed road.

URBAN AREAS

Generally, the installation of permanent fencing in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted, however there are exceptions where the legal boundary and the formed road boundary do not match which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees). Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

RURAL AREAS

Grazing bulls in the road reserve is not permitted at any time.

Stock may be grazed in the road reserve during daylight hours only and must be fenced in.

• You must use plastic temporary fencing (refer to the temporary fencing and electric fencing guidance sections above for more information)
• Signage must be placed 150m in each direction of where stock are grazing to warn motorists/road users. this is required to be removed when you remove your stock.
• Stock grazing in the road reserve must be moved out at the end of each day.

URBAN AREAS

Grazing stock in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted at any time.

RURAL AREAS

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees).  Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

If you are needing to place new/replacement advance warning sign for dairy crossings across the road, you will need to have an occupation approved.

URBAN AREAS

Signs are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases. Contact the Planning Unit at Timaru District Council on 03 687 7200.

RURAL AREAS

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal, detailing the size of the proposal and offsets from the formed road, along your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees).  Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

Please be aware your application may be subject to other consents and approvals depending on the size and function of the structure (ie Building Consent, Corridor Access Request (CAR) and an approved Traffic Management Plan), which will be discussed with you during the application process.

URBAN AREAS

Certain types of structures are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases.

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees).  Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

Please be aware your application may be subject to other consents, which will be discussed with you during the application process.

RURAL AREAS ONLY

Stock underpasses may be constructed in the road reserve, but you need to obtain approval from Council first. Factors such as traffic volumes and visibility are considered when assessing proposals.

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. A full engineering design is required for proposals to construct stock underpasses requiring the road to be rebuilt over the structure (see Example B above).

Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees). Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

Please be aware your application may be subject to other consents and approvals (ie Building Consent, Corridor Access Request (CAR) and an approved Traffic Management Plan), which will be discussed with you during the application process.

You will be required to hold your own public liability insurance, both during construction and for the life of the structure.

RURAL AREAS

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees).  Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

Please note that pipe or cable installation works in the road reserve must be completed by a Council Infrastructure Approved Contractor and require a Corridor Access Request (CAR).

URBAN AREAS

Certain types of structures are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases.

In the first instance email infrastructureconsents@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.

Based on the initial staff assessment, if your request is acceptable, you will then be asked to complete an application form (including paying any relevant application fees).  Application does not constitute approval which is required before any work commences.

Please be aware your application may be subject to other consents, which will be discussed with you during the application process.

RURAL AREAS

In rural areas it is not permitted to use the road reserve for storage at any time, excluding one exception: hay bales may be stored in the road reserve provided they are stored flush to your property boundary and are not stacked.

URBAN AREAS

Generally it is not permitted to use the road reserve for storage in urban areas. In some instances e.g. to facilitate development; Council may approve the use of urban road reserve for storage on a temporary basis.

In the first instance email CAR@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) and an approved Traffic Management Plan if your proposal is acceptable. It is strongly recommended that you hold your own public liability insurance. Please note at no time is scaffolding permitted to be installed in the road reserve.

Scaffolding in the road reserve is not permitted at any time.

RURAL & URBAN AREAS

It is not permitted at any time, in either rural or urban areas, to place or store large objects in the road reserve, such as boulders, rocks or non-frangible posts.

RURAL AREAS

The use of barbed wire fencing in the road reserve is not permitted at any time.

You may install electric fencing on a temporary basis provided that:

• It is signposted
• High visibility tape is used
• It is installed 1.0m from the edge of unsealed roads or 2.5m from edge of sealed roads

Electric fencing cannot be used adjacent to State Highways.

Temporary fencing is permitted in the road reserve in rural areas without permit or licence provided that:

• Plastic standards are used (you must not use steel warratahs)
• Fencing is placed at least 1.5m from the edge of unsealed roads or 2.5m from the edge of sealed roads.
• Fencing only occupies the road reserve for a maximum of 20 consecutive days.

We encourage residents installing temporary fencing to think first and foremost about safety and to ensure there is enough room on the road reserve for a car/road user to pull over.

Electric fencing in rural areas is monitored by Council’s Land Transport Unit, who may request removal if fencing poses a risk to road users.

URBAN AREAS

In urban areas it is not permitted at any time to install barbed wire fencing or electric fencing in the road reserve.