WINTER EDITION 2010
What‖s Happening at Dial Before You Dig…. IN THIS ISSUE DBYD—What’s Happening The Essential First Step All the news from around Australia
DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG is a referral service for information on underground pipes and cables anywhere in Australia. Lodge your application online now—or call 1100 during business hours. CHECK OUT THE DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG WEBSITE www.1100.com.au NEED TO SPEAK TO A DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR STATE? You‖ll find our contact details online now.
We are always making the effort to improve the way we do things at Dial Before You Dig. Our new online service has been in operation for over 6 months and we hope all of our users are enjoying the simplicity and speed of the web based service. The next step for us in terms of lodging enquiries is mobile phone based technology which we are currently working on and we are looking at a release later in the year. This will mean the ultimate in convenience for busy Dial Before You Dig customers particularly those out and about in the field. With the introduction of new technology we often see the demise of old technology. While we have not set a particular date it is fairly certain that we will be discontinuing the fax service in the near future. The number of people faxing in their Dial Before You Dig enquiries continues to decline steadily and it certainly is not an efficient way for our team to process the enquiries. Additionally, a brief written description of the dig site on paper is not the best way to ensure the accuracy of the proposed dig site. So if you are dedicated fax user it may be time to give our online service a go - sooner rather than later! We are also investigating general improvements in our service including an online resubmit button to make it easy to re-lodge an enquiry. You always need to make sure your plans are current so re-submitting a enquiry will become easier in future. We are also looking at an improved solution for the lodgement of large enquiries which often cause problems for users and underground asset owners alike. Remember we are always looking to improve the way we do things. If you do have any feedback do not hesitate to use the feedback tool at www.1100.com.au
The Essential First Step In our last newsletter we talked about the fact that Dial Before You Dig is only the first step in ensuring that your excavation project is safe. That is because after you lodge an enquiry with us, you still need to study the plans, communicate with the asset owners if necessary, pot hole to find the asset and then protect it before you proceed. Dial Before You Dig is in fact, the Essential First Step in safe excavation. You need to you use the service for every job, every time. You will now see this message more and more in our marketing and advertising. So don‖t forget, Dial Before You Dig - The Essential First Step.
www.1100.com.au
DBYDNEWS Winter 2010 / 2
Queensland News Qld Growth in Enquiries Over the past two years which encompassed the world economic meltdown there were many businesses that were forced into liquidation and financial ruin. Some managed to ride out the storm and are just getting back on their feet now. The DBYD service was not shielded from the crisis and we were expecting to see negative results on growth. However as you can see from the graph below comparing our enquiries from 08/09 to 09/10 we have seen a 29% growth on enquiries. This growth defines that the message is continuing to spread out into the community & contracting industry the importance of utilising the DBYD service.
SA/NT News A Good Year It‖s been an amazing year for the service here is South Australia and Northern Territory with the number of enquiries lodged exceeding all expectations and very significant growth achieved compared to 2008/2009. Awareness of the service has never been higher and now we need to make sure that this growth translates into reduced incidents involving underground networks. It has been particularly pleasing seeing enquiry levels start to really take off in the Northern Territory. We have been making a real effort to promote the service up north in recent years and it seems like the importance of our service is being recognised. Thanks to all our Dial Before You Dig customers who have supported the service.
Sponsorships and Activity It‖s been a busy time recently with Dial Before You Dig sponsoring Darwin University Trade School, Regency Tafe and Peer Veet Apprenticeship awards and the Civil Contractors Golf Day. There has been regional visits as well as awareness presentations detailing the importance of safe excavations. We also had a stand at the National Tradesman‖s Expo at Wayville. We always have a presence at this event as it is important to remember that damaging underground networks is just as likely during a home improvement project as it is during the construction of a multi lane highway!
New Members Recently SA/NT has had two new underground asset owners become Members by registering their infrastructure with us. BP Australia have registered their pipelines at Largs North in metropolitan Adelaide and Adelaide Energy are looking to protect their gas pipelines in our South East around the town of Penola. If you know of any organisations who have valuable underground infrastructure, no matter how small the actual network is, have them get in touch with Dial Membership Update Our latest new member to register their assets with the DBYD service is Optilinx who have registered approximately 400 kms of communications network in North Queensland. Toowoomba Regional Council as a result of the 2008 council amalgamations, which consolidated eight shire councils into one have taken a great step forward in announcing that as of the 1st July, 2010 the entire region will be covered by the DBYD service. Prior to the amalgamation there were just two shires registered in DBYD so a great effort by all concerned!
Before You Dig. All organisations can benefit from registering their assets with us even if it is a single data cable from one side of the street to the other.
Leaders & Training Awards. DBYD Variety Golf and CCF Sponsorship This year DBYD sponsored a hole at the Variety Charity Golf event held at the Rydges Resort, Yeppoon. Over 260 golfers attended the event which now rates as the largest regional golf charity event in Queensland. The day was a great success in raising funds for a local boy named Corey who has a disability.
sponsors the Pipe Laying Award and this year’s winner was Gareth Teggart from the BMD Group. The gala event was attended by 300 guests and provided great exposure for DBYD within the civil excavation industry. Queensland Board In recent times we have had Rob Mitchell from ENERGEX stand down from his position on the Board, the new appointed Director from ENERGEX is Tom Williams. The Board thanked Rob for his commitment in serving on the Board and at the same time welcomed Tom as the newly appointed Director.
Once again this year DBYD were a sponsor at the CCF’s Industry
www.1100.com.au
DBYDNEWS Winter 2010 / 3
Look Out For… Our new range of merchandise, our new
WEST AUSTRALIA NEWS
service brochures, corporate brochures and
Progress in WA
corflute signs. All play a part in getting the
The Dial Before You Dig service in Western Australia continues to grow from strength to strength. Many of the initiatives suggested by customers and members have been introduced into the Dial Before You Dig system nationally resulting in benefits for everyone.
message of safe excavation into the community and providing information on how to use our service. If you or your organisation could use any of these items do not hesitate to let us know.
Welcome Philip Townsend We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Townsend as the new
The outcomes of these initiatives have been demonstrated in the improved ease of utilising the web site and the speed of the responses from the various members, particularly WA Gas Networks and Telstra (Usually within the same day 24/7). The Water Corporation is developing and Western Power is investigating similar response systems.
national Operations Manager. Philip comes to us with a wealth of experience within service
Life Cycle for CanTeen
organistions working in contract management
Dial Before You Dig is one of the sponsors of this community event in WA. It is a 3 day fund raiser for kids with cancer. The support for this worthy cause increased from $78,000 for 2009 to over $125,000 in 2010. This group is seeking corporate sponsors. If anyone is interested, please call 9291 6708 or 9424 8116.
and operations. We wish Philip all the best in his new role.
Benefits of Co-branding Dial Before You Dig is a trusted resource for thousands of businesses and people Australia wide. Associating your brand with Dial Before You Dig reminds your stakeholders and the community to protect underground assets, therefore reducing the risk of financial loss and enhancing public safety. Displaying our trademark communicates your organisation‖s attitude to public safety—and that‖s a good thing. You can promote your association in corporate promotions,
Presentations Many awareness presentations have been delivered to numerous groups across the state. The presentations may be the Dial Before You Dig awareness presentation by itself or with a utility‖s (E.g. – Telstra) plan reading presentation. Some of the recipients of these presentations are;
Challenger TAFE in Fremantle Western Power in Jandakot Transfield in Bibra Lake Horizon Power in Esperence Shire of Norseman in Norseman
uniforms, signage, websites and merchandise. Below is a good example (a co-branded magnet) initiated by Epic Energy.
Horizon Power Depot—Esperence Anyone interested in receiving a FREE presentation, contact the Manager, Dial Before You Dig WA on 9424 8116.
There is no cost for using the Dial Before You Dig trademark for a suitable co-branding
Coming Events
activity. Speak to your local Manager to find
out more.
The Civil Contractors Federation (WA) Earth Awards in August Road shows to release the Utility Providers Services Committee reviewed Code of Practice later in this year. Tradesman‖s Expo in June Dowerin Field Days in August
New Member The latest member is WA is Wenco Pty Ltd.
www.1100.com.au
DBYDNEWS Winter 2010 / 4
VIC/TAS NEWS Signing of the ESV DBYD Memorandum Of Understanding On Thursday 10th June, 2010 a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was signed (pictured below) that Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) will assist DBYD in a collaborative fashion to develop, evolve and implement the DBYD ―Register of Incidents‖. The continuance of this agreement for a further three years demonstrates the commitment from both parties to improve the safety of underground assets in the community.
NSW/ACT NEWS Dial Before You Dig – It‖s the Law in NSW On 1 July 2010 Dial Before You Dig was enshrined in law in New South Wales. It is now compulsory in New South Wales to notify Dial Before You Dig of excavation work.
Targa Tas - Rex wins 4 in a row Vic/Tas sponsored Rex Broadbent & Duane Rodgers again this year in the Targa Tasmania with Rex Broadbent being successful in the Classic Competition for the 4th year running again obliterating the field with his main competitors either not being able to keep up or crashing out. Duane finished in the Top 10 in Early Modern, and 1st in Category and 1st in Class.
Conferences / Expos: King of the Beach - Beach Volleyball - St Kilda Beach 2/4/10 Safety in Action - Melbourne Exhibition Centre - 20/04/10 – 22/04/10 Tradesman‖s Expo - Melbourne Showgrounds - 4-6/6/10 Design Build – Melbourne Exhibition Buildings 23-25/06/10 Come to see us at these upcoming events: Building and Home Improvement Expo 9-11/07/10 ABC gardening show 1-3/10/10
Gas leak in Tasmania Residents in a Hobart suburb returned to their homes after being evacuated in the morning of Wednesday June 9 because of a gas leak. About 50 residents in Queen, Balmoral, King and Quayle Streets were asked to leave their homes after a maintenance crew cracked a pipe with police then setting up a 400 metre exclusion zone. One resident described seeing heat-like waves coming off the road and a strong smell which took her breath away.
New Members We have recently signed 3 new members to the team:
Nillumbik Shire Council – The Shire of Nillumbik covers an area of 431.94 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 60,623 who live in close-knit communities which range from typical urban settings to remote and tranquil bush properties.
Elgas - Elgas, a member of The Linde Group, was established in 1984 as an energy company specialising in Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG. Elgas is the largest marketer of LPG in Australia and is everything you want in hassle free LPG. Whether you're a home or business customer, they can help you with all of your LPG needs.
Alcoa - Alcoa operates two aluminium smelters in Victoria, at Point Henry in
Damage to gas and electricity networks must be notified to the managing authority as soon as possible. The penalty for interference with electricity or gas works has been doubled to $22,000 for individuals and $440,000 for corporations. The maximum jail sentence has also been increased to five years. Gas and electricity network owners can recover the costs of damage to their mains and cables. Dial Before You Dig must be notified for· Almost all work on private property, including work approved by a local Council, · Work by a public authority and · Work on underground utility services. For more information, your local energy authority can supply you with a copy of the WorkCover Authority‖s
Work Near Underground Assets Guideline.
Geelong and Portland. Portland Aluminium is an unincorporated joint venture project between Alcoa of Australia Limited (45%), Eastern Aluminium (Portland) Pty Ltd (10%), CITIC Nominees Pty Limited (22.5%) and Marubeni Aluminium Australia Pty Ltd (22.5%).
www.1100.com.au