Commentary on Sections Part 4 : Street Works Section 43: Directions relating to timing of street works
108.Section 43 amends section 56 of NRSWA. Section 56 gives authorities certain powers to direct utilities as to the time at which their works may be carried out, where the authority believe that the works would otherwise cause serious disruption to traffic. At present NRSWA enables the authority to direct the utility only to carry out work at certain times of the day, for example between 10am and 3pm. If they work outside of the directed times they commit an offence.
109.The amendment made by subsection (2) enables an authority to direct a utility only to carry out works at certain times and on certain days, or both at certain times and days, for example between 10am and 3pm on the 1st and 2nd of November.
110.At present, the direction may only deal with proposed works. Subsection (3) adds a new subsection (1A) to section 56 of NRSWA, which enables a street authority to make a direction where works have already commenced.