What is a Crossover? (Victoria) — The Complete, Simple Guide

What is a Crossover? (Victoria) — The Complete, Simple Guide

Written by: Maree REUS

|

Published on

|

Time to read 1 min

What Is a Crossover? (Australia-Wide Guide)

A crossover — sometimes called a vehicle crossing or driveway crossover — is the section between the road and your property boundary.
It’s built on public land, for private use, and always requires local council approval.

Why Crossovers Matter

Crossovers:

  • Provide safe, legal vehicle access

  • Protect kerbs, drains, and public paths

  • Maintain road drainage and safety

  • Ensure pedestrians remain safe

Types of Crossovers in Australia

Urban Crossovers

  • Include a kerb layback and sealed surface

  • Often cross over footpaths

  • Rarely require drainage pipes

Rural Crossovers

  • Wider and often surfaced with gravel, asphalt, or concrete

  • Require culvert pipes and headwalls for drainage

  • Designed for larger vehicles and equipment

Visual References

Image 1: Simple crossover diagram (Whitehorse City Council)
Alt text: Diagram showing road, kerb, crossover, and driveway boundary.


 

Image 2: Layout with footpath and kerb layback (Hornsby Shire Council, NSW)
Alt text: Crossover design showing footpath, driveway, and road interface.


 

Image 3: Rural vs urban responsibility diagram (Greater Bendigo City Council)
Alt text: Diagram highlighting property owner vs council responsibility in a crossover.


 

Image 4: Technical layout with dimensions (City of Greater Geelong)
Alt text: Engineering drawing with crossover width and slope specifications.


 

Also Called

  • Vehicle Access Crossing (VAC)

  • Driveway Crossover

  • Access Crossing

  • Driveway Vehicle Crossing

When You Need a Crossover

You may need a new or upgraded crossover to:

  • Provide access for a new home or shed

  • Relocate or add a driveway entrance

  • Upgrade an informal track to council standards

Council Approval — Always Required

Because a crossover is built on public land, approval ensures:

  • Safe location and sight lines

  • Proper drainage and stormwater management

  • Compliance with local and Australian standards

Australian Design Standards

While each council sets its own rules, common requirements include:

  • Setbacks: 1 m from utility pits, 1.5 m from street trees

  • Surface slopes of 2–2.5%, with a maximum grade of 5%

  • Crossover widths: ~3 m for single driveways; up to 7 m for rural access

Common Misconceptions

  • “It’s just a driveway” — Not quite. It sits on public land and is regulated.

  • “I can skip the permit” — Risky. Non-compliant work can lead to fines or removal.

Typical Costs

  • Urban: Lower cost, minimal drainage

  • Rural: Higher cost due to drainage and materials

  • Permit fees vary by council

Why Use a Specialist

  • We manage the permit application

  • We design and build to local standards

  • We liaise with council to ensure sign-off

What to Do Next

For a smooth, compliant vehicle access:

  • Contact us for a free initial consultation

  • Explore our guides on permits, drainage, and construction

References & Image Sources

← Go back