Underground Utility Locating in Wollongong
Locate underground utilities safely across Wollongong with certified GPR, EMI, and vacuum excavation services. Trusted by civil engineers, councils, and developers to prevent costly strikes and ensure compliance.
Why Is Utility Locating Mandatory Before You Dig in Wollongong?
Before any excavation or development, detecting underground services is not only best practice, it’s a legal and safety requirement across NSW. Utility locating involves identifying the position and depth of pipes, cables, gas mains, and telecom conduits. In a fast-growing city like Wollongong, underground congestion is common, from Telstra and NBN fibre to water and sewer lines under footpaths, roads, and slabs.
Smartscan Locators helps developers, councils, and contractors avoid underground clashes using AS5488-22 standards. Our Wollongong technicians use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), and Non-Destructive Digging (NDD) to ensure every scan meets Quality Level B or A when required. It’s compliant subsurface certainty backed by CAD mapping and GPS-enabled mark-outs.
What Tools and Techniques Are Used for Utility Detection in Wollongong Projects?
Utility locating isn’t a one-size-fits-all job. In Wollongong’s variable terrain, from beachside developments to industrial zones, locating accuracy depends on using the right technology for the target utility type and environment.
Smartscan Locators deploys a multi-technology approach:
We use Leica and Mala GPR units for non-metallic lines like PVC water mains, electromagnetic locators (e.g., Vivax Vloc3) for live power and traceable cables, and vacuum excavation trucks for QL-A physical verification when needed. With all work conducted to AS5488-22, our team produces utility maps in CAD/PDF, supported by GPS plots, colour-coded mark-outs, and photographic logs. Whether you’re managing a road upgrade, a DA submission, or a residential extension. We equip you with site intelligence that reduces risk and meets WHS obligations.
What Services Are Included in Wollongong
Utility Locating Packages?
Subsurface Utility Mapping with CAD & GPS Output
We provide detailed subsurface utility maps designed to meet the documentation needs of developers, engineers, and council reviewers. Using advanced GPS-enabled equipment, we capture positional data, depth estimates, and utility alignment across the worksite. All data is formatted into geospatial outputs such as CAD or PDF files, ensuring easy integration into your site plans. These maps support permit approvals, clash detection, and risk assessment workflows.
GPR and EMI Scanning for Comprehensive Detection
Smartscan Locators combines Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) to detect both metallic and non-metallic underground services. GPR is ideal for locating plastic pipes, empty conduits, or buried structures, while EMI is effective for live power, copper, and traceable cables. This multi-technology method ensures no critical asset is missed — particularly important in Wollongong’s mixed residential and industrial zones where undocumented private services are common.
Non-Destructive Digging (NDD) for QL-A Verification
In situations that require absolute confirmation of asset position — such as high-risk zones, HV areas, or shallow services — we use vacuum excavation to expose underground utilities without damage. This process upgrades the detected asset to SUI Quality Level A, which is the highest level of locating accuracy under AS5488. It’s the standard most council and Tier 1 contractors expect before trenching or excavation can begin. We conduct this safely with low-noise vac trucks suited for urban or night work.
Mark-Outs with AS5488 Colour Codes and Notes
Each detected utility is physically marked out on-site using the Australian standard colour codes for electricity, communications, water, gas, and sewer. Our mark-outs also include key annotations such as estimated depth, direction, and service type. These visual cues provide immediate reference for site crews and machinery operators, helping avoid damage during trenching or boring. We also provide on-site briefings so that everyone understands what’s been located and where safe digging zones begin.
Reporting and Photo Logs for Compliance and Records
Every scan includes detailed documentation that proves due diligence was followed before excavation. This includes time-stamped photos of all mark-outs, equipment logs, technician notes, and SUI classification levels (e.g., QL-B, QL-A). Our reports are essential for WHS compliance, client handovers, and principal contractor audits. We also offer optional delivery of digital reports via email or cloud portal, ensuring easy access for your team or third-party consultants.
Which Project Types in Wollongong
Require Certified Utility Locators?
From home builders to Tier 1 contractors, accurate locating protects timelines and assets.
Residential Construction & Renovations
Private properties often have undocumented utilities. Locating before landscaping, digging, or extending your home avoids damaging power, gas, or water lines.
Civil Infrastructure & Roadworks
Road upgrades, pipe realignments, and bridge works demand full SUI mapping. We support Tier 1 and council projects with CAD plans, GPS logging, and QL-A verification.
Government & Council Development
DA applications, school upgrades, or park installations often require AS5488 locating with clear deliverables for stakeholder approval.
What Makes a Utility Locating Provider
in Wollongong Truly Reliable?
AS5488-22 compliance for every service
GPR, EMI, and vacuum excavation capability
CAD and GPS-enabled mapping
Certified by DBYD, NULCA, WPCG
140+ years of combined industry experience
Areas We Serve
Need Utility Locating Wollongong? We travel to wherever safe excavation is needed.
Sydney Metro & Greater Western Sydney
Serving Sydney Metro and Western Sydney with professional upholstery cleaning.
Liverpool, Kings Langley, Campbelltown
Serving Liverpool to Penrith with expert, and a reliable upholstery cleaning services.
Bankstown, Castle Hill, Camden
Providing expert upholstery cleaning in Bankstown, Castle Hill, Camden, and surrounding Sydney suburbs.
What Do Clients Need to Know Before Booking a Utility Locator in Wollongong?
Is utility locating required by law in Wollongong?
Yes. NSW excavation law and most councils require asset detection before digging. It’s part of your WHS obligations and protects from fines, delays, and damage.
How does Smartscan Locators differ from Dial Before You Dig (DBYD)?
DBYD offers free utility plans but does not confirm on-ground locations. We verify with certified detection tools and expose unknown or private assets not listed in DBYD plans.
How much does utility locating cost in Wollongong?
Residential scans typically range from $350–$550, while commercial projects start at $700. Full infrastructure scans with GPS/CAD mapping and QL-A exposure may reach $3,000+ depending on scope.
Do I need vacuum excavation for every job?
Not always. For compliance-critical zones, we use NDD to confirm exact depth and position (Quality Level A). We’ll advise if it’s necessary after initial scanning.
What deliverables do I receive after the scan?
You’ll get a mark-out on-site, photo documentation, optional GPS data, and CAD or PDF utility maps, along with a report showing the applicable SUI quality levels.
Book Your Utility Locating Wollongong Today
Get the job done right, without damaging underground assets. Smartscan Locators is here to support your Utility Locating Wollongong with the tools, certifications, and knowledge to dig safely.
