News | 03 December

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) says reforms are urgently needed to address the economic cost of utility service strikes, with new research showing Victoria’s civil construction industry is the worst performer.

Each year, service strikes nationwide cause a staggering $4.6 billion damage bill with most incidents driven by poor regulation, outdated data standards, and inadequate training, according to BYDA’s seminal research report, Economic Assessment of Utility Strikes in Australia.

Victoria has the worst safety record of all the states and territories with 9,300 strikes, ahead of NSW on 5,100, followed by Queensland with 3,800 service strikes.

By industry or source of cause, civil construction is responsible for 2,700 utility strikes, followed by home owners (1.8k damages), the building industry (1k), then fencing/landscaping (696 damages).

“BYDA’s research is tremendously helpful but at the same time, very troubling – especially knowing that Victoria’s civil construction industry is the worst for utility strikes,” CCF Victoria Lisa Kinross said.

“We have to own this responsibility and do everything in our power to drive the change that’s urgently needed.

“We support the reforms that BYDA is calling for. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. With proper collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders, together we can address the regulatory issues, outdated data standards and inadequate training identified through BYDA’s research.”

BYDA’s research indicates the potential to reduce utility strikes by 30 per cent and save $1.3 billion each year in Australia by implementing three recommended reforms for utility safety:

  • Implement nationally consistent legislation for Underground Asset Management – a national approach to underground asset management could reduce strikes by seven per cent (7%), saving $322 million every year. Consistency in regulations would make it easier to plan projects safely and responsibly.
  • Uplift skills and capabilities in Utility Risk Management – Over 3,000 utility strikes occur each year due to insufficient training and awareness. Mandatory risk management training for workers on the ground could reduce strikes by eight per cent (8%), saving $368 million each year.
  • Establish minimum data standards and a Digital Asset Register – improving data standards and having a comprehensive digital register could reduce accidental strikes by 17 per cent, saving $782 million annually, increasing public infrastructure efficiency.

Find out more

Read BYDA’s full Economic Research Report: https://portal.byda.com.au/byda-initiatives/economic-research/

Check out the Damage Data Dashboard stats: https://bydadatainsights.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/07a379d7c5e5435a8a91ca5251e42d38

Learn about the reforms: https://portal.byda.com.au/byda-initiatives/reform-for-utility-safety/

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