Addressing costly but preventable utility service strikes a $2 billion quick, easy win for Victoria’s new Premier
For immediate release
New Victorian Premier Ben Carroll can secure a quick, easy win that will save the state budget as much as $2 billion by addressing costly but preventable utility service strikes.
Each year in Victoria, more than 6,000 reported incidences of excavation damage to underground utility assets occur, exposing Victorian workers to serious safety risks and significant community disruption.
What’s more, the State Government budgets between 8-12 per cent for utility service strikes on government projects.
“This means strikes are being normalised, even expected and actively bankrolled by Victorian taxpayers, instead of being prevented,” Before You Dig Australia CEO Mell Greenall said.
“Victoria’s underground utility infrastructure ecosystem has drifted from risk control to liability control, where the worksite becomes the testing ground. Every Victorian voter, taxpayer and utility consumer should be demanding urgent change before the next outage becomes an avoidable fatality.
“Since taking office, the new Premier is now on public record for acknowledging that Victorians are concerned about government spending and that every dollar the Carroll Government spends will be treated carefully, responsibly, with respect and only where it delivers the greatest value to Victoria.
“I congratulate Premier Carroll on assuming office but at the same time urge him to address this foreseeable, preventable issue. It is a quick, easy win and low-hanging fruit that the Government can demonstrate decisive action that would ease the pressure on the State Budget.”
For further information, case studies, multimedia or requests to interview BYDA CEO Mell Greenall, contact:
Simon Mossman
Head of Insight, Research and Advocacy
Before You Dig Australia
0417 064 104
[email protected]
About Before You Dig Australia
BYDA is a not-for-profit, industry-led organisation that operates Australia’s national “before you dig” referral service. Each year we facilitate more than 2.7 million requests for underground utility information from contractors, engineers, councils and the public. Our role is to connect those planning excavation with the asset owners responsible for critical infrastructure to prevent damage, disruption and injury. Read our latest research report here.