With the reduction of lot sizes and associated reduction in road frontage widths, particular attention needs to be given to the location of services and infrastructure to avoid conflicts and unnecessary costs and to simplify construction. This practice note provides some guidance to avoid some common traps in detailing for the provision of services and infrastructure to small lots. Services within lots Avoid locating sewer and roofwater mains along zero lot line boundaries Avoid locating sewer and roofwater mains within corner lots The preferred location for sewer and roofwater mains is within larger lots
Services and infrastructure external to lots Stormwater »» Locate stormwater gully inlets in the middle of lots, preferably larger lots »» Avoid small lots below large drainage catchments
Water meters »» Special attention is required to the location of water meters (and associated conduits) to avoid clashes with driveways for zero lot line lots
Power and communications »» Special attention is required to the location of power supply pillars and communications pits to avoid clashes with driveways for zero lot line lots »» Power supply authority required minimum clearances to power supply pillars should be accommodated
Sewer »» Special attention is required to the location of sewer manholes to avoid clashes with driveways for zero lot line lots (this is assisted by observing the recommendation above to locate sewer mains within larger lots where possible
Pad Mounted Transformers »» Plan for the location of pad mounted transformers well in advance and avoid visually intrusive locations such as parks and open space, other than edges »» Avoid locations along view lines »» If locations within lots cannot be avoided, locate within larger lots
Telstra CMux »» CMux are usually located within road reserve, however, as with power transformers, plan for their location well in advance and avoid visually intrusive locations such as parks and open space, other than edges »» Avoid locations along view lines
Access
Driveway locations at roundabouts and speed control devices »» Driveway locations at roundabouts and speed control devices require particular attention to ensure safe and convenient access to lots »» Speed control devices should be located such that they are clear of driveway locations or small lots. If this cannot be avoided, driveways should be constructed as part of the subdivision civil works in locations design to achieve the outcomes referred to above
Rear lanes »» Where possible, avoid locating utility services within laneways »» Where utility services within laneways cannot be avoided, they will generally be required to be located within an unpaved section of laneway along the edge of the trafficable surface
Common trenching Common trenching, or shared service allocation, involves the provision of a number of services within one trench or service allocation area. The advantages of common trenching include: »» elimination of a number of single trenches, each with its own construction, settlement and reinstatement problems »» accurate location of services for possible repair or maintenance »» reduced verge width »» increased verge width available for tree planting and/or landscaping »» less conflict between services as depth relativities are known »» more efficient use of construction equipment »» reduced verge and footpath disturbance for earlier establishment
Overland Flow
Stormwater overland flow can be particularly problematic for small lots and requires particular attention. »» Avoid small lots across the downhill end of a steep block »» Avoid cutting and retaining on the uphill side of lots sloping steeply (greater than one in eight) to the street, particularly where side slope is present as this generally results in diversion and concentration of overland flow along fencelines to a point of weakness »» Identify any natural depressions in the landform and ensure overland flow to and within these is managed to avoid nuisance to downstream properties
