A new report 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Each year, service strikes nationwide cause a $4.6 billion damage bill with most incidents driven by poor regulation, outdated data standards, and inadequate training, according to Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)’s seminal research report, Economic Assessment of Utility Strikes in Australia.
BYDA, the leading voice for utility damage prevention in Australia, found that Victoria has the worst safety record of all the states and territories with 9300 strikes, ahead of NSW on 5100, followed by Queensland with 3800 service strikes.
A utility strike occurs when excavation equipment comes into contact with underground utility lines such as gas, water, telecommunications, and electricity.
By industry or source of cause, civil construction is responsible for 2700 utility strikes, followed by home owners (1.8k damages), the building industry (1k), then fencing/landscaping (696 damages).
CCF Victoria Lisa Kinross said the BYDA’s research was “tremendously helpful but at the same time, very troubling – especially knowing that Victoria’s civil construction industry is the worst for utility strikes”.
“We have to own this responsibility and do everything in our power to drive the change that’s urgently needed,” she said.
“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 With proper collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders, together we can address the regulatory issues, outdated data standards and inadequate training identified through BYDA’s research.”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, saving $322m every year. Consistency in regulations would make it easier to plan projects safely and responsibly.
- Uplift skills and capabilities in utility risk management – more than 3000 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, saving $368m 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 $782m annually, increasing public infrastructure efficiency.
Read BYDA’s full Economic Research Report here: https://portal.byda.com.au/byda-initiatives/economic-research/