Excavating Near Pipelines
Before you Start
Before you start any project involving ground disturbance, you need to identify the location of buried pipelines and other infrastructure within the proposed work area. The approximate location and type of pipeline present within the proposed work area will be identified during our visit. Visit our Click Before You Dig page for more information.
If the proposed excavation is within 30 metres of a high-pressure pipeline, Contact Us prior to the start of work. One of our technicians is required to be present on site during excavation and backfilling activities around the pipeline. A crossing agreement is required for all high pressure pipeline excavations.
Exposing the Pipeline
- The pipeline must be exposed by hand before the use of mechanical excavation equipment within:
- 1 metre of distribution mains & service pipelines; and
- 5 metres of high pressure pipelines.
- Mechanical equipment must not be used within 30 centimetres of the pipeline.
- There must be at least thirty 30 centimetres clearance between the bottom of our pipeline(s) and the top of the crossing pipeline(s) or works.
Report all Damages
- Any damages to AUI equipment regardless of severity is to be reported to AUI, who will conduct a free inspection.
For more information on pipeline excavation regulations and procedures please visit: