Corridor Access Requests
Working in the road corridor: Corridor Access Request (CAR)
If you are planning to carry out any work or activity within the road corridor you must apply for a Corridor Access Request (CAR) before starting the work.
This applies to any activity that affects the normal operation of the road, footpath, berm or underground services, such as excavation, utility work, tree felling, road maintenance, inspections, traffic management setups, or temporary structures.
Submitting a CAR is a legal requirement designed to:
- Ensure the safety of road users and workers through proper traffic management planning.
- Protect public infrastructure, such as roads, footpaths, and underground utilities.
- Coordinate activities across contractors and service providers to minimise network disruption.
The CAR places responsibility on the contractor for ensuring that the work is completed to required standards. The contractor remains liable for any defects and for reinstatement quality during the defect liability period, as defined in the permit conditions.
CAR process and requirements
For guidance on how we manage requirements under both Traffic Management Plan (TMP) approaches, refer to our Corridor Access Request (CAR) process flow chart (PDF, 39KB).
All submitted TMPs must include our TTM risk acknowledgement form (PDF, 138KB).
Each PCBU is responsible for identifying and managing risk as required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Taupō District Council is in a transition phase and are committed to working alongside contractors to ensure a smooth shift towards a risk-based traffic management approach and process.
- Transition timeline: Taupō District Council will fully transition to the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management (NZGTTM) on 1 April 2026. Until this time, TMPs based on either CoPTTM or NZGTTM will be accepted, provided they meet our safety and risk management requirements.
- Taupō District Council's role: We will act as a reviewer of safety and risk, not an enforcer of method. Our focus is on ensuring that TMPs are justified, defensible, and tailored to site-specific risks.
No Impact works
Taupō District Council has introduced a new category called “No Impact Works” to support right-sized traffic management and reduce unnecessary temporary traffic management (TTM) for low-risk activities.
This approach aligns with national direction and public expectations, allowing minor works to proceed without formal TTM - provided strict criteria are met while still requiring appropriate permissions and accountability from the Principal Contractor or PCBU. This ensures continued safety for all road users without over-regulating truly minor or isolated work.
Low-risk activities that meet our “No Impact” criteria can submit a No Impact Works Acknowledgement Form, bypassing the full TMP requirement.
The full TTM exemption criteria and conditions are outlined on page 1 of our No Impact Works Acknowledgement Form:
Apply for a Corridor Access Request
You can submit your Corridor Access Request (CAR) using the Submitica online portal. You will need to register, or login to your existing account and follow the instructions provided.
Once you submit your application, allow 20 working days for processing. You cannot start the work until you have approval.
Legislation and penalties
Taupō District Council is responsible for managing the local road network, with authority delegated to the Road Corridor Manager under the Local Government Act 1974 and the Land Transport Management Act 2003.
We support contractors in transitioning to risk-based traffic management while ensuring safe and compliant corridor works. We are dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality, and well-coordinated work within the road corridor. Your compliance protects public infrastructure and enhances community wellbeing.
Legal framework for CARs
The requirement to submit a CAR is supported by several pieces of legislation, including:
- Utilities Access Act 2010
- Local Government Act 1974 and Local Government Act 2002
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA)
- Land Transport Act 1998
- National Code of Practice for Utility Operators’ Access to Transport Corridors
- Relevant Council bylaws and policies
These laws place duties on PCBUs to plan work responsibly, protect public safety, and avoid damage to existing assets.
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to obtain a CAR or comply with its conditions can result in enforcement action. This may include:
- Fines of up to $20,000 under the Local Government Act (refer to Section 239: Offences in public places)
- Reinstatement and repair costs charged to the responsible party (see Local Government Act 1974, Section 335A – Damage to roads and cost recovery)
- Health and safety penalties under HSWA (penalties can reach up to $500,000 for individuals or $3 million for companies in serious cases)
- Infringement notices or stop-work orders (WorkSafe NZ has the authority to issue notices and stop unsafe work)
Contact us
If you have any questions about CARs or TMPs, or need further assistance, contact our corridor management team by email to transport@taupo.govt.nz.
