Every infrastructure project begins with information. Yet one of the industry’s most critical datasets – utility information – has traditionally been fragmented across multiple asset owners, formats and systems.
For engineers, designers and project managers, this can mean time-consuming plan retrieval, design uncertainty and avoidable project risks before work has even begun. It’s a long-standing challenge that affects planning, design and project delivery across Australia.
To help address this, Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) has launched the pilot of the BYDA Digital Utility Portal (BDUP) – an innovative digital platform designed to transform how utility information is accessed during the planning and design phases of infrastructure projects.
Rather than replacing the existing utility plan request process, the pilot represents an important step towards a more connected, digital approach to utility information, giving industry the opportunity to help shape the future of infrastructure planning.
A smarter way to access utility information
The BYDA Digital Utility Portal brings together available underground and overhead utility information into a single interactive map, allowing users to view multiple utility networks simultaneously instead of interpreting separate plans from individual asset owners.
Users simply draw an area of interest and, where participating utility data is available, utility information is displayed within seconds. The information can then be downloaded as GIS-compatible files, CAD or PDF for use within existing planning and design workflows.
Importantly, the portal has been developed specifically for planning and design activities. It complements BYDA’s existing referral service, which remains the essential process for anyone undertaking excavation or ground disturbance.
By making utility information easier to access and interpret during the earliest stages of project development, the platform supports better-informed design decisions and earlier identification of potential utility-related risks.
Why it matters
Australia’s infrastructure sector continues to deliver increasingly complex projects within constrained timeframes and budgets. At the same time, underground and above-ground utility networks continue to grow in both scale and complexity.
Research commissioned by BYDA found that more than 15,000 utility strikes occur across Australia each year, costing the economy more than $4.6 billion annually through repairs, project delays and service disruptions. The research also identified improved digital utility data as one of three national reform priorities capable of significantly reducing these impacts.
The digital utility portal is BYDA’s response to that opportunity.
By providing faster access to consolidated digital utility information, the platform has the potential to improve project planning, increase design confidence and support more efficient collaboration across project teams.
Early industry testing has already demonstrated the practical benefits of this approach. During a case study with infrastructure services provider Ventia, users reported improved visibility of utility networks, greater confidence when interpreting utility information and significant time savings compared with traditional workflows. Utility information was available in seconds rather than hours, while participants highlighted the value of viewing all available utilities together within a single digital environment.
An opportunity to help shape the future
The BDUP is now being piloted across selected areas of Greater Sydney, Brisbane Olympic precincts, Perth and North West Western Australia.
During the pilot, verified commercial users – including engineers, planners, designers, geospatial professionals, surveyors, consultants, contractors and participating asset owners – can access the platform at no cost in exchange for providing structured feedback throughout the pilot period.
That feedback will play an important role in refining the platform as additional utility data, functionality and user insights continue to be incorporated.
For IPWEA members, the pilot provides an opportunity not only to explore a new way of accessing utility information, but also to contribute directly to the development of a solution that has the potential to improve planning, design and infrastructure delivery across Australia.
Digital transformation is reshaping every aspect of infrastructure management. Utility information is no exception. By participating in the pilot, industry can help shape a more connected, efficient and informed future – one where better access to utility information supports better infrastructure outcomes for everyone.
For more information or to participate in the national pilot visit: BYDA Digital Utility Portal Pilot 2026.
#Sponsored
#AssetManagement