We are traffic engineers servicing Albanvale, Albion, Ardeer, Brooklyn, Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahey, Derrimut, Hillside, Kealba, Keilor, Keilor Downs, Keilor East, Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Kings Park, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Sydenham, Taylors Lakes, Tullamarine.
This guide demystifies Brimbank Council’s requirements for traffic and parking reports, providing a clear pathway to a successful planning application.
Why Brimbank Council Mandates Traffic & Parking Assessments
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Core Purpose: The primary reason for these assessments is to ensure new developments do not negatively impact local amenity, safety, and infrastructure.
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Council’s Goals: Brimbank Council aims to effectively manage traffic flow, ensure road safety for all users, and provide adequate and well-designed parking for residents and visitors.
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Guiding Policy: The Brimbank Parking Strategy 2019-2029 is a key policy document that informs Council’s decision-making on parking-related matters.
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Types of Reports: Depending on the scale and nature of your project, you may need a simple Traffic Statement for a minor impact or a full Traffic Impact Assessment for a more significant development.
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The Risk: Submitting a planning application with an inadequate or missing traffic report is a common reason for significant delays or outright rejection by Council.
The Role of the Brimbank Planning Scheme
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The Brimbank Planning Scheme is the legal document that formally triggers the need for a traffic and parking report.
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Key clauses, particularly Clause 52.06 for car parking requirements, dictate the specific performance standards your development must meet.
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The land use zoning of your property (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) directly influences the scope and complexity of the required assessment.
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A generic, ‘one-size-fits-all’ report will not suffice; your submission must be tailored specifically to the site context and the Brimbank Planning Scheme.
Key Concerns for Council Planners
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Traffic Generation: How many new vehicle trips will the development create during peak hours and throughout the day?
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Parking Supply vs. Demand: Is the proposed number of car parking spaces sufficient for the intended use, and is it justified against the planning scheme?
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Road Network Capacity: Can the local streets and intersections handle the additional traffic safely and efficiently without causing undue congestion?
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Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: How does the development impact the safety and accessibility of footpaths, crossings, and cycle routes in the vicinity?
Core Components of a Compliant Report for Brimbank Council
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To ensure a smooth assessment process, your traffic and parking report should follow a clear, logical structure and include all essential components.
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The report must be prepared by a qualified and experienced traffic engineering consultant who understands Council’s expectations.
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Think of this section as a checklist of ‘what to include’ to demonstrate a thorough and professional analysis.
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A comprehensive, evidence-based report shows due diligence and makes it easier for Council planners to assess and approve your proposal.
Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)
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Detailed analysis of existing traffic conditions, including current traffic volumes and road network performance.
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Trip generation calculations using recognised and accepted rates (e.g., RMS/TfNSW traffic generation guides).
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A clear assessment of the traffic impacts of the development on nearby intersections and road segments.
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Practical recommendations for any necessary mitigation measures or road network upgrades to accommodate the new traffic.
Car Parking Demand Assessment
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Calculating parking requirements based on Clause 52.06 of the Brimbank Planning Scheme.
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Understanding the Impact of Amendment VC277: This state-wide amendment introduced new car parking rates into Clause 52.06. It is crucial to use these updated rates for your calculations to ensure compliance.
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Utilising Car Parking Requirement Maps: VC277 also allows councils to use maps to specify different parking rates for particular areas. A thorough assessment must identify if your site falls within a mapped precinct with unique requirements.
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Robust justification for any proposed variation (reduction or surplus) from the standard parking supply rates.
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Assessment of the proposed parking layout, including aisle widths, space dimensions, and access, against the relevant Australian Standards.
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Explore our traffic engineering services for detailed assessments.
Site Access and Internal Circulation
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Technical design review of driveways and access points to ensure they are safe, efficient, and compliant.
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Swept path analysis using specialised software to demonstrate that all necessary vehicles (e.g., cars, delivery vans, waste collection trucks) can manoeuvre safely.
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An assessment of pedestrian and cyclist access and safety within the site, including connections to external paths.
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A compliance check against Australian Standards, primarily AS 2890.1, AS 2890.2, and AS 2890.6.
Navigating Brimbank’s Specific Policies and Precinct Plans
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Demonstrating deep, specific knowledge of the Brimbank municipality is critical for a successful outcome.
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Our experience covers projects across all of Brimbank’s suburbs, including Albanvale, Albion, Ardeer, Brooklyn, Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahey, Derrimut, Hillside, Kealba, Keilor, Keilor Downs, Keilor East, Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Kings Park, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Sydenham, Taylors Lakes, and Tullamarine.
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A successful report shows that your analysis goes beyond generic state-wide requirements by referencing specific council documents and strategies.
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This local expertise is critical for projects in complex or sensitive locations and ensures your proposal aligns with Council’s strategic vision for the area.
Aligning with the Brimbank Activity Centre Strategy
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Your report must acknowledge Brimbank’s hierarchy of activity centres, which is a core part of its strategy to manage growth, jobs, and community amenities.
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Metropolitan Activity Centres: These are the major hubs, including Sunshine, St Albans, Brimbank Central, Deer Park, and Caroline Springs. A proposal in these areas must align with high-level strategic plans.
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The Sunshine Town Centre Structure Plan: For any project in Sunshine, which Council positions as the "capital of Melbourne’s West," compliance with this key document is non-negotiable. It guides long-term development, building heights, access, and public realm improvements.
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Regional and Neighbourhood Centres: Developments within centres like Sydenham or Keilor must consider their respective structure plans, which dictate urban design, transport connections, and local character.
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Your assessment must demonstrate how the development’s parking and traffic plan supports the specific function and future vision of its designated activity centre.
Residential Parking Permit Policies
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Developments in established residential areas can significantly impact the availability of on-street parking for existing residents.
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Your report must consider Council’s approach to managing scarce on-street parking, including areas subject to parking permit schemes.
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Providing sufficient off-street parking within your development is the most effective way to minimise negative spillover impacts on neighbouring streets.
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Our team has experience across thousands of sites; learn more about us.
Sustainable Transport and Future Planning
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Brimbank Council’s strategic vision includes strong support for walking, cycling, and public transport use.
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Your report should detail how the development incorporates facilities like bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities (showers, lockers) to encourage active transport.
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Demonstrating how your proposal aligns with Council’s long-term sustainable transport goals can be a significant positive for your application.
The ML Traffic Assessment Process: From Quote to Submission
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We follow a clear, step-by-step process designed to provide clients with certainty and a high-quality outcome.
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We set clear expectations for timelines, communication, and deliverables from the very beginning.
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Our approach is collaborative, and we work closely with you and your architect or town planner to achieve the best design outcome.
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This structured process is designed to eliminate surprises and ensure a smooth planning application process.
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Our promise: The senior consultant who quotes the work, does the work.
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Fee Proposal
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We review your preliminary plans and discuss the project’s scope and specific challenges.
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We identify Brimbank Council’s precise report requirements for your planning application.
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You receive a detailed, fixed-fee proposal with a clear scope of work and no hidden costs.
Step 2: Data Collection and Technical Analysis
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We conduct site visits to understand the local context and perform traffic surveys if required.
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Our senior engineers perform a detailed technical analysis of traffic impacts, parking demand, and access design.
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We liaise directly with your design team to provide input and ensure a coordinated, compliant design.
Step 3: Draft Report and Final Submission
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We prepare a comprehensive draft report for your review and comment, ensuring all your questions are answered.
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The report is finalised with all necessary plans, diagrams, and technical appendices for submission to Council.
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We provide ongoing support and are available to respond to any queries from Council during their assessment phase.
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Ready to start? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
Common Pitfalls That Delay Planning Applications in Brimbank (And How to Avoid Them)
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This section addresses the frequent, avoidable mistakes we see in traffic reports submitted to Council.
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ML Traffic acts as a proactive partner, helping clients identify and resolve these issues before they become a problem.
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Avoiding a Request for Information (RFI) from Council is a key objective that saves you significant time and money.
Underestimating Parking Demand
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The Mistake: Relying on incorrect or outdated rates, or failing to provide a robust, evidence-based justification for a proposed parking reduction.
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The Impact: Council may issue an RFI demanding a redesign, or in some cases, refuse the application due to insufficient parking.
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The Solution: A rigorous parking demand assessment based on the current Clause 52.06 rates, local surveys, and a clear planning justification.
Poor Vehicle Access Design
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The Mistake: Proposing non-compliant driveway grades, inadequate sight lines for safety, or forgetting to check for service and delivery vehicles.
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The Impact: Council will not approve an unsafe or impractical access design, forcing costly redesigns late in the process.
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The Solution: Proactive design review and swept path analysis to certify compliance with all relevant Australian Standards from the outset.
Ignoring Local Context and Policy
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The Mistake: Submitting a generic report that fails to reference Brimbank’s specific strategies, such as the Activity Centre Strategy or local structure plans.
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The Impact: The report lacks credibility and demonstrates a poor understanding of Council’s strategic objectives, making planners skeptical of its conclusions.
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The Solution: Engaging a specialist consultant with demonstrable, current experience in preparing successful reports for planning applications within the Brimbank municipality.
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See examples of our work in our project articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a traffic and parking report for Brimbank Council cost?
The cost depends on the scale and complexity of the proposed development. A simple report for a small project will cost less than a full Traffic Impact Assessment for a large mixed-use site. We provide a fixed-fee proposal after an initial review of your plans.
How long does it take to prepare a traffic report for a planning application in Brimbank?
Typically, a report can be prepared within 1-2 weeks from engagement, provided we have all the necessary information. More complex projects that require traffic surveys may take longer. We will always provide a clear timeline in our fee proposal.
What happens if Brimbank Council requests further information (RFI) on my traffic report?
If you engage ML Traffic, we provide ongoing support during the council assessment phase. We will review Council’s request and prepare a formal response to address their queries efficiently, which is included in our fixed fee.
Do I need a traffic report for a small extension or a dual occupancy development?
Often, yes. Even small developments can trigger the need for a traffic report, particularly if they involve changes to vehicle access or a reduction in the required number of car parking spaces under the Brimbank Planning Scheme.
Can ML Traffic Engineers help with the design of my car park or driveway?
Absolutely. We provide expert advice on car park and access design to ensure full compliance with Australian Standards (AS 2890 series). This proactive approach helps avoid costly redesigns later.
What specific information do you need from me to provide a quote?
To provide an accurate quote, we typically need a full set of architectural plans (site plan, floor plans, elevations) and a brief description of the proposed development.
Get a Compliant Report for Your Brimbank Project
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your Brimbank project today.
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Over 30 years of experience with councils across Australia.
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Direct access to senior engineers for every project.
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Specialists in traffic reports for planning applications.
