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Kerb and channel, commonly known as kerb and gutter, form a barrier between the road pavement and the nature strip. They provide road drainage and prevent water entering under the road surface. This helps maintain road condition by reducing the number of potholes and road defects.
Kerb and channel also help to lower stormwater flows and reduce silt in waterways and act as a barrier to prevent vehicles from leaving the road.
We undertake a number of kerb and channel projects each year consisting of either:
Council has an enormous task to provide kerb and channel adjacent to all urban properties in the City. Current funding levels for this work mean it will take many years to complete, therefore, projects are selected and prioritised according to strict engineering criteria including:
Other factors such as high traffic volumes and increased development within an area may also impact on decisions to implement new kerb and channel. Aesthetic reasons are given a lower priority.
As projects are prioritised based on engineering criteria, specific requests from residents are only one factor considered in the development of Council’s construction program. However, Council does have a forward works plan and our staff are able to provide feedback on projects that have been identified for the next few years.
Kerb and channel is not something that can be installed a piece at a time. As such, Council sets the program based on engineering criteria as outlined above. This may not reflect individual requests for kerb and channel; however, the result will ensure improved road conditions and drainage for the benefit of all residents.
Property owners make a contribution to the costs for kerb and channel.
The NSW Roads Act (1993) enables Council to seek a contribution from property owners towards the cost of kerb and channel construction on a public road. The amount charged can be up to 50 per cent of the cost of kerb and channel construction along their property frontage. The contribution helps Council undertake kerb and channel work at more locations than would otherwise be possible.
Property owners are not charged for replacement kerb and channel.
Council has considered the project costs of kerb and channel construction, and has determined the following standard contribution charges for property owners in its Fees and Charges for 2024-2025:
This charge is less than 50 per cent of the total cost of kerb and channel construction, the limit allowable under the Roads Act. Residential property owners will only be charged up to 25 metres, even if their property frontage is longer. There are additional concessions and conditions, such as where the property has frontages on more than one street.
For dual or multiple occupancy properties, the charges will be split evenly between the owners
Yes. At some locations, kerb and channel will be significantly more expensive to construct. Site variations such as gradient and topography, and the need for new underground drainage and the relocation of services, will increase the project cost. However, the same charge is applied in all locations, and Council covers any extra costs relevant to a specific location.
The costs to Council include all survey, design, traffic control, earthworks, drainage and associated road pavement reconstruction. These are necessary to ensure the project outcome is an effective improvement in stormwater and road management, and an efficient use of resources.
It is recognised that some residents have already paid for the construction of their driveway crossing.
If the driveway crossing is a piped or concrete channel crossing and was installed or approved by Council up to 15 years ago and is removed because of the new kerb and channel works, then a rebate from the kerb and channel contribution is available to residents. The rebate is a maximum of four metres per property, even where there were two or more previous crossings.
Council will undertake consultation with all affected property owners during the project design phase, prior to kerb and channel construction, and provide information regarding the charges to be levied. After the work is completed, an account will be sent to the property owner. When the account is received, the property owner can contact Council to request payment by instalments if the cost will cause hardship.
To allow the concrete to gain sufficient strength, no vehicles should be driven over the new kerb and channel for at least three days after the concrete is poured.
Where alterations are required to any existing improvements in the footway area, such as rockwork or landscaping, these will only be adjusted or replaced by Council if Council approval was previously obtained for these improvements.
Following the kerb and channel construction, the disturbed areas of the footway will be restored by backfilling, levelling and laying turf.
Existing street stormwater discharge drainage from a private property will be connected to the kerb and channel by Council. Any alterations required to drainage pipes or pits within the owner’s property will have to be carried out by the owner.
Yes. For example, if the property does not have a current vehicular entrance, or if the owner requires the present one to be relocated, or if additional accesses are requested, the owner will need to provide written details to Council, during the project consultation period. The details need to include a sketch of the requested work.
Work outside the scope of the Council project may be carried out by the owner or a licensed contractor. Levels, specifications and written approval must be obtained from Council before the work is commenced.
Council has an enormous task to provide kerb and channel adjacent to all urban properties in the city. Current funding levels for this work mean it will take many years into the future to complete. Therefore, projects are selected and prioritised according to strict engineering criteria including:
Kerb and channel fact sheet(PDF, 416KB)