ADVOCACY: EVIDENCE AND IMPACT

BYDA’s advocacy efforts are grounded in evidence, and focused on practical change to improve safety, reduce damage and inform national reform.  

What the evidence shows 

BYDA’s research estimates that utility strikes result in $4.6 billion each year in direct and indirect costs. These costs include service disruptions, repair and reinstatement, project delays, lost productivity, safety incidents, and downstream impacts on communities and businesses.  

Most utility strikes are not caused by isolated mistakes. They are the result of systemic weaknesses across the planning, design, and delivery lifecycle.  

Key contributing factors include:  

• Inconsistent regulation and requirements across jurisdictions  

• Outdated and fragmented utility data, often provided as static PDFs  

• Limited visibility of risk early in planning and design  

• Gaps in skills, training, and risk management capability  

These issues compound under time pressure and complex project environments, increasing the likelihood of damage even when existing processes are followed.  

The three reforms Australia needs: 

BYDA’s economic and policy analysis shows that meaningful reductions in utility strikes require coordinated reform across three areas. 

Implement Nationally Consistent Legislation for Underground Asset Management

A national approach to underground asset management could reduce strikes by 7% and save us around $322 million every year. Consistency in regulations would make it easier to plan projects safely and responsibly. 

Establish Minimum Data Standards and a Digital Asset Register 

By improving data standards and having a comprehensive digital register, we’d reduce accidental strikes and increase public infrastructure efficiency. This change alone could cut strikes by 17%, saving $782 million annually. 

Uplift Skills and Capabilities in Utility Risk Management 

More than 3,000 utility strikes occur each year due to insufficient training and awareness. Mandatory risk management training for workers on the ground could reduce strikes by 8%, leading to $368 million in savings each year. 

BYDA publications 

Read the latest research and reports to access insights and understand the reforms needed to reduce damage and risk.  

Our impact 

BYDA’s advocacy is informed by national evidence and strengthened through collaboration. We work with asset owners, industry, government, and research partners to ensure reform proposals are practical, credible, and grounded in real-world experience. 

Our research and reform agenda has helped shape understanding of utility damage as a national safety and productivity issue. Through data, analysis, and pilots, we have supported more informed decision-making across industry and government. 

This impact includes: 

• Establishing the first national estimate of the economic cost of utility strikes 

• Providing evidence to support regulatory, policy, and standards discussions 

• Demonstrating the safety and productivity benefits of digital utility data 

Media and public commentary

BYDA contributes to public discussion on utility safety, infrastructure delivery, and digital reform through selected media and industry publications. Explore the evidence and insights informing national utility safety reform. 

Working together 

BYDA’s advocacy is ongoing and collaborative. We welcome engagement from organisations and individuals interested in improving utility safety, reducing risk, and supporting nationally scalable reform. Reach out to the BYDA team to help turn evidence into action, supporting a future of zero damage, zero harm, and zero disruption.