Vehicle & Stock Crossings
Installation and Maintenance of Vehicle Crossings
An application for the installation or maintenance of a vehicle crossing should be completed and submitted to a Tararua District Council Service Centre. There is an application fee payable at the time of application.
Application Form | Vehicle Crossing
If you are building a new house and are applying for a Building Consent, it is strongly recommended that you submit the application for a vehicle crossing at this time to avoid any delays to your project, as well as plan sufficient time to install the vehicle crossing before your building works commence.
As part of the process for approving an application to install or alter a vehicle crossing, you must submit a Corridor Access Request prior to commencing any works. Any contractor or property owner who undertakes works that do not meet the required level of compliance, will be instructed to remove or repair the crossing at the expense of the property owner.
Can I Use a Private Contractor?
You can use a private contractor, or you could choose to use Council's contractor under the Tararua Alliance partnership.
If you choose to use a private contractor, they will need to be pre-approved by the Tararua Alliance to ensure that they have the correct experience and qualifications to complete the works for you.
If you choose to use the Council's preferred contractor, you should indicate this on your application and contact the Tararua Alliance to arrange for a site visit to be undertaken (once you have submitted your application and paid the applicable fees).
If you are unsure who to use or who may already be approved, it is recommended that you contact the Tararua Alliance before your project arrangements.
Design of Vehicle Crossings
It is important to choose the right design for your vehicle crossings. Failure to consider the design requirements may mean higher maintenance costs in the future, damage to vehicles and footpaths, or removal of the non-complying vehicle crossing.
It is important that you discuss design requirements with the Tararua Alliance prior to application, design specifications can also be found in the Tararua District Plan.
For many dairy farmers, the regular crossing of cattle/stock across public roads is vital to the management of their farming operation. Dairying is a significant activity carried out in the district making a significant contribution towards the district and regional economies.
Ideally, stock underpasses are the best option. Although they may be an expense in the short term, long term benefits are that stock are less stressed and can walk down the race without having to be supervised at the road crossing. This saves time and staff resources.
The movement of cattle/stock across both sealed and unsealed roads can have an impact on safety of road users and damage to the road surface.
In accordance with Council’s Policy for Regular Droving of Dairy Stock in Public Places;
- Folding “Stock Crossing” warning signs be erected either side of the crossing points, at sufficient distance from the crossing points to adequately warn road users. The signs are to be folded closed when the crossings are not in use.
- An amber flashing light be installed at each crossing point and to be operating whenever stock is crossing the roads.
- Effluent is to be cleaned off the roads after each crossing of stock. If the road is washed consultation must be held with Horizons Regional Council about the disposal of the washing down water.
- Stock must be driven across the roads in one movement under the supervision of a responsible person during daylight hours only.
- If tapes are placed across the road to guide stock, they must be erected immediately prior to the stock crossing and be removed immediately afterwards. The tapes must be placed no higher than 100mm above the road to enable the free passage of traffic.
- The owners of stock will maintain a public liability insurance policy to protect them and the Council against any claims for damage caused through the stock crossing the roads.
- The cost of repairing any damage to roads directly attributable to stock crossing roads may be recovered from the owners of the stock.
Council’s Stock Crossing Guidelines have additional information regarding this activity: