Even if there are overhead power lines in the area, there could still be underground cables nearby. These cables are commonly found in roadside and residential areas and can be easily damaged, causing potential serious injury and power outages.
That’s why planning is key to keeping you and our network safe, and your project on track.
Make sure you’re working safely by following these steps
Plan the work you want to do and prepare a hazard assessment, including identifying if our network equipment is nearby.
To do that, use the free beforeUdig to check for underground assets and/or do a visual check for overhead lines.
beforeUdig
BeforeUdig offers a service mapping underground cables and pipes from a variety of utilities providers.
When you lodge your proposed works, beforeUdig will let you know of any underground cables nearby and provide you with free reference maps, usually within a few hours.
Make sure you allow enough time to receive this information before the planned start date.
Reference maps are valid for 28 days from date of issue – after that you must request new maps. Please note: The accuracy of the maps cannot always be guaranteed because of road realignment, reconstruction, alterations to ground cover and property boundaries.
On-site cable location
If you require an on-site cable location, please contact a cable location service for an on-site cable check.
- Delta Utility Services Ltd – 0800 433 582
- Connetics – 03 353 7200
There is an increasing number of independent asset location companies. Aurora Energy cannot endorse the quality or accuracy of the cable location work done by these firms and assumes no liability for any damages that arise as a result.
For your safety, if you're a property owner and planning work within 4 metres from live network equipment (whether overhead or underground) or 5 metres from a power pole or stay wire (or 8 metres if creating unstable batter), you need to hire a professional to do the work. They'll need close approach consent from us.
If you're applying for close approach consent, you’ll need to allow at least four working days for us to process the application.
You don’t need a consent from us if you and any work activity stay outside the minimum safe distances.
Once approved, our close approach consent will include safety measures you must follow to ensure your safety and the safety of our assets.
Part of the consent requires on-site cable location by one of our approved contractors. We provide free electricity and communications cable mark outs for strategic assets only (66kV, 33kV and fibre-optic cables). A cost may apply for other cables.
They will indicate the location of cables by marking the ground to provide a digging guide. They may also be able to provide advice if you have any questions.
Please note:
- Mark out guides are a guide only
- It is your responsibility to identify hazards within your worksite
- You must hand dig to confirm the location of all cables before you start work
- Please allow up to four working days for contractors to arrange mark outs of our underground cables
- Location and mark out of any other underground utilities are your responsibility.
Carry out your planned work safely and to the conditions in the consent.
If you’re digging within 4 metres of underground cables, you must locate them before excavating. You must also pothole (hand dig) before any excavation within 2 metres of our undergound cables to confirm their exact location and depth before you start.
The site supervisor needs to be present during any work inside the minimum safe working distances.
If there’s an incident or near miss involving our network, you must report it to us.
When the work is complete, you need to reinstate any excavations under supervision by one of our approved contractors accordance with applicable Auora Energy standards.
Excavating near power poles
- Do not dig within five metres of our power poles or stay wires (or 8 metres if creating an unstable batter) because this could cause the pole to collapse. You must apply for a close approach consent first and we will specify required conditions for the work.
- Excavating is anything that disturbs or penetrates the ground including shovels, excavators, hammer drills, directional drillers and hydro excavators.
Tips for working near cables
- Our cables are laid at different depths in the ground varying from 400mm to over 1200mm.
- Over time, alterations to the ground cover may reduce or increase the depths. We cannot guarantee the exact depth of any cable.
- Don’t rely on finding buried marker tape when you dig as it may have shifted over time and depending on the age of the cable, tape may never have been laid.
- If you expose a cable during excavation, you must ensure that the cable is adequately supported and protected.
Any exposed cable must be protected from damage:
- Never move an exposed cable under any circumstances.
- Never stand on or climb over exposed cables.
- Never drop fill or waste material on an exposed cable.
The cable must be correctly reinstated after the work is complete. You will need to ensure the correct depth, fill materials and warning indicators are used.
Follow WorkSafe's Guidelines
Follow WorkSafe's Guide for Safety with Underground Services.
Close approach consent
We want to keep you safe while you're working near the electricity assets on our network. That's why only businesses (PCBUs) can apply for close approach consents.
This means individual property owners will need to engage a third-party contractor to do the work under a close approach consent on their behalf.
They'll need to obtain a close approach consent for all work within 4 metres from live network equipment (whether overhead or underground) or 5 metres from a power pole or stay wire (or 8 metres if creating unstable batter).
Apply for close approach consent
Safe is a 4 metre word - Look out below
Staying at least four metres away from overhead power lines and underground power cables is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of harm when you're working near our electricity network.
That’s why we want tradies and contractors (and the public) working near the electricity network to remember that ‘Safe is a 4 metre word’.
As part of our Safe is a 4 metre word safety campaign we've developed free resources for tradies and contractors that you can share with your workmates to help keep them safe and the job on track. Check out the campaign here.
Check before you dig - It could save your life
Always check for electricity cables and other services before you dig. Watch this important safety messaging from the Safe Digging Month campaign.
Trigger warning: Please note, the content in this video could be distressing for some people.
Don't play around with your safety – Know what's below
Watch this important safety message from beforeUdig in the video below. It's mainly for contractors and people who often work around underground power cables. But it also has helpful tips for anyone doing excavation work, even DIY projects at home.
Trigger warning: Please note, the content in this video could be distressing for some people.