Before You Dig Australia

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Know What’s Below

If you’re involved in construction or excavation work please use the Before You Dig Australia service to identify the range of services in your work area, including gas pipelines.

It is also important that you are familiar with the information presented in our Pipeline Safety Awareness video and Know What’s Below brochure. This information is for those who work in the vicinity of our assets, including utility company workers, local government workers, construction workers and land developers.

APA is happy to provide free awareness sessions to upskill you and your employees, so that you know how to work with us to keep safe and avoid asset damage. We can visit your workplace, provide an on-line awareness session, or send a range of aware resources to suit your needs. To arrange this contact us via:

FREECALL 1800 103 452

EMAIL apaci@apa.com.au

Information for contractors

Why do I need to use the Before You Dig Australia service before undertaking works?

Using the free Before You Dig Australia services is the essential first step to avoid damaging underground utilities, and keep you safe, when carrying out works. Damaging any underground utility can cause widespread disruption and in some cases isolate entire communities from essential services. If you are found to be negligent in causing damage to underground utilities you can face severe penalties.

Unauthorised activity within the pipeline easement is an offence reportable to the Pipeline Regulator. Offences can incur substantial fines, which are issued by the regulatory authorities – not APA.

How can I get a high pressure gas pipeline located?

APA provides a service to electronically locate and temporarily mark the alignment of our gas pipelines before works commence. Because of the risks involved with high pressure gas pipelines, locating may only be done by engaging with APA.

Depending on the category of pipeline, a fee may be charged for electronic location. In the case of higher risk works, APA will require you to have the gas pipeline location physically proved by a vacuum truck. Such works can only proceed under APA authorisation and supervision.

What approval do I need from APA to undertake work in the vicinity of a high pressure gas pipeline?

We’re here to work with you so you can get your work done safely without unnecessary delays. Because there are high risks with getting things wrong, please plan ahead and give us the time the get it right. APA approves all works within the easement and any work that may impact on the gas pipeline. Our written approval may include conditions that ensure the protection of the pipeline.

In some cases, this will include supervision of works by APA. Depending on the category of pipeline and circumstances the cost of this supervision may be recovered by APA.

Unauthorised activity around high pressure gas pipelines is a danger to those carrying out the activity and the community. Damaging a gas pipeline can result in fatalities and have long term financial, economic and environment impacts.

Any unauthorised activity within the pipeline easement is a reportable offence to the appropriate Pipeline Regulator. Offences can incur substantial fines, which are issued by the regulatory authorities, not by APA.

Engage with APA early and as required throughout your works to ensure you meet all the requirements for working around our assets and avoid the consequences of unauthorised works.