Australia's infrastructure expansion driven to prioritise underground utility safety amid rising risks and standards
Australia’s rapid infrastructure development faces critical challenges from the risks posed by underground utility assets, which are vital yet inherently vulnerable components of major projects. With the nation racing to meet net-zero emissions targets amid workforce shortages, understanding and mitigating sub-surface risks has become essential to prevent costly delays, safety incidents, and service disruptions.
Recent analysis from Infrastructure Australia reveals that over 40 per cent of major infrastructure projects suffer setbacks or budget blowouts attributed to insufficient investigation of subsurface utility networks. Nick Zembillas, a Subject Matter Expert at Colliers Engineering, highlights the complexity below urban construction sites, noting that undetected pipes or cables can halt progress for months and inflate project costs by millions. As underground services underpin everything from communications to water and electricity, any damage can have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate repair expenses.
In response, the Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) initiative has emerged as a critical platform for raising awareness and driving safety improvements in underground utility management. The inaugural BYDA Utility Safety Conference, set for 4–5 March 2026 at Melbourne’s RACV City Club, marks a significant milestone for the sector. It aims to unite contractors, asset owners, locators, engineers, planners, and regulators to collaborate on reducing underground utility strikes, elevating safety standards, and streamlining civil construction workflows across Australia.
The conference will address these challenges through a comprehensive program built around four pillars: Safety, Technology & Innovation, Collaboration & Engagement, and Knowledge & Training. A central theme, 'Connected. Protected. Respected.', reflects the shared responsibility that industry stakeholders carry to safeguard infrastructure and personnel.
Keynote presentations will set the tone for innovation and accountability. Professor Ujwal Kayande, Director of the Melbourne Business School’s Institute for Digital Innovation & AI, will explore how artificial intelligence could revolutionise the detection and management of underground hazards, potentially minimising risks and improving responses in real time. Meanwhile, Greg Smith, an international award-winning author and legal expert, will examine workplace health and safety governance, challenging attendees to re-evaluate current safety metrics and systems. Smith contends that many organisations invest heavily in data collection yet lack meaningful metrics to demonstrate compliance or true safety assurance, risking an “illusion of safety.” His session promises practical frameworks and case studies aimed at improving WHS effectiveness.
One of the conference's technical highlights will be a focused discussion on advanced Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) methods alongside the implementation of AS 5488, a national standard for defining and classifying underground utility data. According to Zembillas, integrating traditional ‘Before You Dig’ enquiries with comprehensive SUE protocols is vital for mitigating risks, streamlining project execution, and positioning Australia as a leader in underground utility safety.
The event’s structure encourages open dialogue to dissect the practicalities of utility damage prevention, enhanced planning and communication strategies, workforce skills development, and fostering stronger industry collaboration. Given that civil contractors often serve as the first line of defence on sites, directly translating project plans into ground actions, the conference emphasises breaking down silos among all parties involved to deliver safer and more efficient outcomes.
With early bird registrations already available to BYDA members and the standard two-day registration fee set at $750+GST, the conference presents an unmissable opportunity for utility and construction executives focused on safety, compliance, and operational excellence. This inaugural forum not only signifies an urgent call to action but aims to set new industry benchmarks for preventing utility strikes and nurturing a culture of zero harm, zero damage, and zero disruption.
In a sector where every excavation bucket carries inherent risks, the BYDA Utility Safety Conference 2026 promises to deepen understanding, share cutting-edge solutions, and forge stronger partnerships across Australia’s infrastructure landscape, advancing safety well beneath the surface for the benefits of communities and projects nationwide.