Use a crane in public space

You must get this permit for part or full occupation of footpaths, roads or laneways. You should apply for a permit as soon as you can.

It can take up to 10 business days to process your application.

You must conduct work in a safe manner. Impact to the surrounding area must be minimised.

You should consider the following issues before you apply to use a crane in public space.

Noise limits

Noise limits may apply depending on your hours of operation. To find out more read the Noise and Vibration Management Guidelines.

Public precautions

You may need to use barriers or signage to guide pedestrians or traffic around the work site and flagmen. Read more about permits to install hoardings, gantries or scaffolds on public land.

Traffic management

You must submit an approved Traffic Management Plan (TMP) when you apply.

Your TMP must be prepared by a qualified traffic management practitioner. Read more about Traffic Management Plans.

Ground bearing pressure and load limits

Mobile plant must be transported, positioned and used within our surface load limits.

If your works activity will require the use of plant that exceeds these limits, you must submit a ground assessment report prepared by a structural engineer. It must document a higher allowable ground bearing pressure in the proposed location. This will require detailed assessment and take longer than our standard timeframes. For more information, refer to section 10.5.1 in the Code of Practice for Building, Construction and Works.

Impact on businesses and residents

If your works occur after hours, or might impact traffic or residents, you will need to notify stakeholders in writing.

You must produce:

• A notification letter you will give to affected property occupiers
• A distribution map showing the properties where you will deliver the letter.

Read more about managing stakeholders impacted by your works.

You can use the notification letter and distribution map templates:

Fill in the online form to apply to use a crane in public space. To start an application, you'll need to log in with your registered customer account. Find out more about how to register and log in.

You will need to attach supporting documents as part of your application.

You must submit an approved Traffic Management Plan (TMP) when you apply. Your TMP must be prepared by a qualified traffic management practitioner.

You must provide a copy of a certificate of currency for public liability insurance. This must be for a value of at least $20 million. Read more about our requirements for public liability insurance.

Tower cranes on building sites that will operate or weathervane over public space require approval as part of a Construction Management Plan (CMP).

To amend, extend or cancel your permit, log in to City of Melbourne ServicesOpens in new tab and navigate to the My Permits page.

You can apply for a refund as part of the cancellation process. Application fees are not refundable or transferable.

You must pay an application fee of $117.90.

The space occupation fee is $2.40 per m2 per day.

The cost to amend an application is $55.80 per application.