When Do You Need a Traffic Management Plan in Western Australia?

If you are planning construction, roadworks, utilities, or events in Western Australia, it is critical to understand when a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is required. A compliant TMP helps protect workers, road users, and the public while ensuring your project meets Main Roads WA and local authority requirements.

What Is a Traffic Management Plan (TMP)?

A TMP outlines how traffic will be managed safely around a worksite or event. It details signage, traffic control methods, pedestrian management, vehicle movements, and risk controls. In Western Australia, TMPs must comply with Main Roads WA requirements and Australian Standards.

When Is a Traffic Management Plan Required in WA?

Any party undertaking work on a road must prepare a TMP that adequately provides for the safety of workers and road users.  Additionally, a TMP must also be designed to maintain an adequate level of service to road users. Traffic management planning should be undertaken in accordance with the AGTTM Part 2: Traffic Management Planning.

In WA, to ensure a consistent approach is taken when developing a TMP one of the Main Roads TMP templates must be used as a basis for the plan. Any section headings that are not applicable to the TMP being developed must be kept in the document and noted as not applicable.  This requirement then results in the TMP section numbers being the same throughout all TMPs used in WA.

For longer-term projects with multiple stages and/or activities, it is best practice to develop an overarching Project Traffic Management Plan.  The Project TMP can then cover the overall scope of works, staging, project objectives, risk management, traffic analysis, communication plan, etc. and have specific TMPs for specific work activities or stages. The TMPs that sit under the overarching Project TMP must use the TMP template that retains section headings.   Where information is captured elsewhere, this can be referred to rather than being replicated.

TMPs are required when your activity impacts any public road, footpath, or shared space. Common situations include roadworks and civil construction, utility installations and maintenance, traffic control for events, building works affecting footpaths or parking, and oversize or overmass vehicle movements.

Local councils and Main Roads WA may require a TMP as part of the permit or authorisation (approval) process. In Perth and regional areas like Bunbury, requirements can vary slightly by authority, but the obligation to manage traffic safely remains consistent.

Who Can Prepare a Traffic Management Plan?

TMPs must be prepared by trained and experienced traffic management professionals who understand WA legislation and local conditions.  In WA, all TMPs must be prepared by a person holding Main Roads accreditation in Advanced Worksite Traffic Management (AWTM).

A person holding Main Roads accreditation in Worksite Traffic Management (WTM) may make on-site modifications to the TMP in accordance with its scope and objectives (following any modification, the residual risk must not be higher to workers or road users).

Why Getting It Right Matters

Non-compliant or poorly designed Traffic Management Plans can lead to site safety issues, shutdowns, penalties or fines, project delays, just to name a few. A well-prepared plan, working with all key stakeholders involved, ensures smooth approvals and safer project delivery.

Conclusion

If your project affects traffic in any way, a Traffic Management Plan is likely required. Engaging a professional traffic management provider in Western Australia ensures compliance, safety, and efficiency from planning through to delivery.