Streetlights and traffic lights
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is responsible for the planning, approval, installation, operation and maintenance of traffic lights, not local councils.
Each traffic light location is assessed on its individual characteristics, including traffic volumes, crash history, pedestrian activity, land availability and long‑term network planning.
Who is responsible for what?
Council does not install, repair or control permanent traffic lights or street lighting.
Report a problem with traffic lights
Report a streetlight fault
Streetlights are maintained by Powercor. If the fault is related to a damaged pole or a possible safety hazard, please call their 24 hour service line on 13 24 12 to report this fault. You can also report the streetlight faults via the link below.
Request new traffic lights, timing changes or new green arrow lanes.
All requests for new traffic lights must be assessed by DTP. Council can forward your request on, however DTP makes the final decision based on traffic engineering assessments.
Regarding light timing and changes, traffic signals are controlled centrally through the SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System) network. Only DTP engineers can:
- change signal phases and timing;
- adjust pedestrian crossings and intervals;
- add turning arrows;
- coordinate nearby intersections
Council cannot modify traffic light operations.
How intersection decisions are made
Traffic lights and roundabouts are chosen based on safety, traffic flow and long-term planning.
Traffic flow
- Roundabouts work best when traffic volumes on each approach are roughly similar. They rely on gaps in circulating traffic.
- Traffic signals are preferred when one road carries much heavier traffic than the others. Signals can allocate green time to manage imbalance.
Safety
- Roundabouts reduce severe crashes by slowing vehicles.
- Traffic lights are used where speeds are higher or crash history exists.
Pedestrians and cyclists
- Traffic lights provide safer crossings when pedestrian volumes are high, safe crossing points are needed or when school zones or vulnerable users are present.
- Roundabouts can be harder to cross, especially multilane designs.
Speed environment
- Roundabouts naturally slow traffic to around 20–30 km/h.
- Traffic lights suit higher speed roads where slowing traffic for a roundabout would be impractical or unsafe.
Space, design, heavy vehicles
- Roundabouts need more land, especially for heavy vehicle design (turning paths, central island size).
- Roundabouts can also be difficult for B-doubles or road trains unless designed very large.
- Traffic lights fit constrained areas and and are easier to retrofit into constrained urban zones.
- Traffic Signals are also often preferred on major freight corridors for smoother heavy vehicle movements.
Cost and maintenance
- Roundabouts have higher upfront construction costs but lower ongoing maintenance.
- Traffic Signals are cheaper to build but require ongoing electrical, hardware, and timing maintenance.
Future planning
- Traffic Signals offer more flexibility:
- timing can be changed;
- additional lanes can be added; and
- coordination with nearby signals improves flow.
- Roundabouts are harder to change once built.
When assessing decisions around traffic lights and roundabouts, DTP considers:
- traffic volumes and delays;
- crash history;
- safety audits;
- SIDRA (Signalised Intersection Design and Research Aid) modelling to compare performance;
- pedestrian and cyclist needs;
- freight and bus route considerations; and
- land availability and cost factors.
Why new traffic lights can take time
Installing new traffic lights is a complex process that requires multiple stages of assessment, design and approval. This includes:
- detailed traffic engineering assessments
- design and safety reviews
- electrical and communications connections
- approval from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP)
- procurement and construction
- integration into the statewide traffic signal network
Each step ensures the intersection is safe, efficient and works with the wider road network.
Once installed, traffic lights are managed by DTP, who are responsible for routine maintenance, signal timing adjustments, monitoring and emergency repairs.