Ground and preparation
Excavation depth, weak material, fill and compaction affect the platform beneath the slab. Existing concrete removal and disposal should be explicit.
Get the driveway scope clear before comparing prices
A driveway quote can look simple until two contractors have priced different jobs. One may include demolition and spoil removal; another may assume a prepared site. Pumping, reinforcement, edge thickening, drainage, crossover work and sealing may sit inside or outside the number. Ask for those boundaries in writing.
Albury and Wodonga crossover rules differ
AlburyCity identifies crossing permits under section 138 of the NSW Roads Act as a separate approval that may be required. Wodonga Council uses road-reserve and vehicle-crossing permits and can set standards for work between the property boundary and road. Do not assume a private driveway approval automatically covers the public crossover. Fees, widths and forms for each council are compared in the two-council permit guide.
Wodonga guidance also distinguishes the public crossing from the private driveway. Its road reserve works guidelines (January 2025) say the crossing surface may be stippled, coved, broomed or exposed aggregate, while a footpath that is rebuilt must match the existing plain grey concrete. Confirm the current property-specific requirements before work begins.
What affects the driveway design
Falls and stormwater
Hardstand water must not be concentrated onto neighbours. Levels should direct runoff toward an approved discharge arrangement without blocking roadside drainage.
Loads and reinforcement
Passenger cars, caravans, trailers and service vehicles do not impose the same demands. Thickness, joints and reinforcement should suit the intended use and site design.
Finish and maintenance
Plain broom finish, coloured concrete and exposed aggregate have different installation steps, appearance, sealing needs and repair visibility.
Useful information for a quote request
- Approximate driveway length and width
- Whether existing concrete or asphalt needs removal
- Street access and distance for a concrete truck or pump
- Known easements, services, pits or drainage lines
- Expected vehicles and preferred finish
- Whether the crossover is new, altered or unchanged
For budgeting questions, use the local concrete cost guide. It explains why a rate without site scope is not a reliable quote.
Information checked 12 October 2026. Confirm current requirements for the property and proposed work before accepting a provider’s quotation.
Mark the boundary between your driveway and the public crossing
A driveway replacement enquiry should show where the private surface ends and the public crossing begins. Photograph the kerb connection, any footpath, the boundary and the garage approach. Mark whether each part is being retained, widened, removed or reconstructed. This avoids a quote for private paving being mistaken for a complete frontage package.
AlburyCity’s section 138 approval is separate from DA or CDC approval for relevant road-reserve works. Wodonga’s road-reserve pathway has its own application and crossing requirements. Use the two-council crossover guide for the detailed comparison rather than transferring one council’s conditions across the border.
| Part of the frontage | Record for the enquiry | Ask the provider |
|---|---|---|
| Private driveway | Existing surface, approximate area and proposed replacement. | Removal, preparation, installation and disposal included? |
| Public crossing | New, changed or retained connection to the road. | Which council application and approved detail apply? |
| Footpath | Location and any proposed disturbance. | Who restores it, to which required finish? |
| Easement or service route | Known records and visible pits or covers. | Which checks are needed before excavation? |
Will the replacement be standalone or part of a home build?
Say whether the driveway is the whole contract or part of a new home, extension or larger renovation. Ask who contracts for demolition, the private paving and public reinstatement, especially when different providers quote separate components. A shared project description is more useful than assuming all three items are included in “new driveway”.
NSW residential concreting licence checks and contract requirements differ from the Victorian domestic building work test. The concreters in Albury and Wodonga overview provides the dated state comparison. Keep the written boundary of this particular driveway package with the quotation.
Keep the driveway usable through a cold-weather replacement
Before removal, agree where vehicles can park and how people reach the house. Identify any access needed by deliveries or other trades. Ask who protects the footpath and existing surfaces, how the property is left between stages, and how a forecast-related postponement is communicated.
The historical Murray frost guide is a reason to check current conditions, including in spring. It does not establish a frost-free booking date. CCAA curing advice provides technical background; the provider confirms protection and reopening requirements rather than this page prescribing one number of days.
Record levels before raising or widening an existing driveway
Include the garage threshold, entry steps, existing drainage and any observed water route in the inspection brief. Extra height or fill should not be assumed to fix a problem. For a mapped address, check Albury’s flood information or Wodonga’s overlay and overland-flow guidance before agreeing changes that may affect neighbouring land or access.
A photograph helps identify questions but is not a level survey or drainage design. Ask which measurements or documents are missing and who obtains them before the scope is final. When choosing a decorative driveway finish, confirm the public crossing and footpath detail separately.
Questions about this concrete work
Can aggregate extend across the Wodonga footpath?
The verified council guidelines distinguish the crossing finish from reinstated footpaths, which remain plain grey. Check the approved detail before ordering one finish for the whole frontage.
Is an Albury road-reserve application included in the house approval?
Section 138 approval is a separate requirement for relevant road-reserve works; record who handles it in the driveway scope.
Should I raise a driveway to deal with a flood overlay?
Do not assume extra height or fill resolves flooding. Have the proposed levels and effect on flow assessed for the particular property.
Does a winter quote need a different access plan?
Discuss temporary parking, forecast-related postponement and the provider’s handover requirements before demolition. No reopening date is promised.