Crown roads

Crown roads are often referred to as ‘paper roads’ because the majority have not been constructed.

There are many Crown roads within the public road network that are not used or required for public access. In these cases, we can sell or close Crown without compromising the public interest.

• We are not a road construction authority.
• We may allow a road user to complete small-scale works on certain Crown roads.
• If large-scale construction must be carried out, we may transfer the road to the local council to administer construction according to its standards as the roads authority.
• To enquire about the maintenance or construction of council roads, contact the relevant local council.

• We encourage local councils to use NSW Government funding to repair damage to Crown roads after natural disasters.
• Crown roads used to access private residences should be repaired promptly.
• There are 2 NSW disaster guidelines with information on the support available and how to access it:
  • NSW Disaster Assistance Guidelines 2021
  • NSW Natural Disaster Essential Public Asset Restoration Guidelines 2018

Information for residents

If you’re affected by a recent natural disaster and you no longer have safe access to your home or property, contact your local council to request assistance.

Information for councils

Councils should use the guidelines to help access funding after a natural disaster.

• Disaster declarations made by the NSW Government, list an Australian Government Reference Number for the local government area it applies to.
• For those local government areas, funding is available to repair damaged Crown roads used by the community.
• To access the funding, councils must work with their regional administering agency. Contact Transport for NSW and/or Public Works Advisory as soon as possible after the disaster to notify the scope of emergency works.

Consent for emergency works

• We provide general consent under the Roads Act 1993 on the basis that works will be done in Crown road corridors to restore pre-existing conditions to a level that reinstates access.
• As part of this consent, councils need to provide the location and details of works to Crown Lands.
• We do not include any works to structures in the blanket approval – those works need to be applied for using the standard Crown Lands approval process.

Resourcing implications

• Under the guidelines, local councils are responsible for arranging quotes, engaging contractors and preparing funding claims.
• If councils don’t have the resources to do the emergency works, they should contact Transport for NSW and Public Works Advisory.
• Resource sharing may be available – visit the Office of Local Government’s Local Government Emergency Recovery Support Group.

Responsibility for maintenance after emergency works

• Ongoing responsibility and maintenance of repairs made to Crown roads remains as per existing agreements with Crown Lands.
• The emergency arrangement does not alter any existing agreement nor does the responsibility devolve to councils because works were done due to a natural disaster.
• If the Crown road was eligible for transfer prior to the disaster repair works, it may still be eligible for transfer at a future date. Discuss the issue with us.