How close can a driveway be to a street tree, utility pole or intersection?

ACT driveway standards prescribe minimum clearances from street trees, utility infrastructure and intersections. For a dual-occupancy driveway, the location should be checked against these clearances before the access is finalised.

• Existing mature street tree: the driveway must be outside the greater of the tree's canopy drip line or the minimum offset specified in MIS 07. In some circumstances, works within the canopy drip line may be considered where they remain outside the Structural Root Zone and appropriate tree-protection measures are demonstrated.
• New or small street tree: the required clearance is determined under MIS 07, Section 2.2.3, based on the applicable tree requirements.
• Power pole, streetlight column, mini-pillar or padmount substation: at least 1.5 m from the outside edge of the asset to the edge of the driveway.
• Ground-level services such as pits and manholes: generally at least 1.2 m clear, although MIS 07 contains asset-specific requirements.
• Intersection: for a block at an intersection, City Services requires the driveway to be at least 6 m clear of the tangent point.

The driveway must also maintain appropriate sightlines to oncoming traffic, taking into account street trees and other structures or obstructions.

Reference: Municipal Infrastructure Standard 07 (MIS 07) Driveways, Edition 1 Revision 2 – Sections 2.1.2 and 2.2.3, Tables 7-1 and associated tree-clearance tables - Municipal Infrastructure Standard 07 Driveways (Edition 1 Revision 2)