Learning Hub

1. Australian – New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS)

• These are the baseline national standards that apply across all states and territories.
• They cover fundamental design principles, safety requirements, material specifications, and performance standards.
• Examples: AS/NZS 1170 (Structural), AS/NZS 2890 (Parking), AS/NZS 3500 (Plumbing).

Use: Mandatory across Australia and NZ; State, Council, and Utility standards are derived from or must comply with these.

2. State/Territory Specific Standards

• Developed by state-level departments such as DTP (Victoria), TfNSW (NSW), TMR (Queensland).
• They adapt AS/NZS standards to align with state-specific legislation, policies, and local conditions.
• Often provide Austroads Supplementary Guidelines or state-specific design notes.

Use: When working on major infrastructure projects, state roads, and urban development guidelines.

Overlap: Overrides generic AS/NZS where state-specific policies apply (e.g., DTP Road Design Notes in Victoria).

3. Local Council Standards

• Councils interpret state and national standards for local urban infrastructure, such as:
• Driveways, kerbs, footpaths, drainage assets.
• Often compile these into Infrastructure Design Manuals (IDM) or individual council design guides.

Use: Essential for minor roads, subdivisions, local parks, and streetscape works.

Overlap: May conflict with state standards in detail (e.g., crossover widths), but must still respect the overarching AS/NZS framework.

Resolution: Council standard applies unless state-level approval is needed (e.g., VicRoads/DTP controlled road).

4. Utility & Water Authorities Standards

• Utilities (e.g., AusNet, Jemena, APA) and Water Authorities (e.g., Southeast Water, Sydney Water) have their own asset-specific standards.
• Covers pipelines, sewer systems, power supplies, and gas infrastructure.

Use: Applied in projects impacting utility assets, water supply, sewer systems.

Overlap: Often stricter than AS/NZS for their specific assets.

Resolution: Utility/Water Authority requirements override general standards for their infrastructure (e.g., Water Authority's sewer design standards will supersede Council drainage standards in shared zones).