Geospatial information systems (GIS) and data are at the heart of Before You Dig Australia’s new five-year strategic plan.

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA), formerly known as Dial Before You Dig, is the national organisation for prevention of damage to above- and below-ground utilities, and prevention of injury for professionals such as construction workers, surveyors and locators.

According to BYDA’s CEO, Mell Greenall, the “BYDA’s vision is clear: zero damage to member/utility infrastructure resulting from construction and ground-breaking activities, preventing community disruption, and protecting people and property from harm”.

Amongst other activities, the plan involves BDYA:

• Providing useable and relevant plan information to users.
• Supporting asset owners to improve the quality of plans and supporting safety information.
• Becoming an industry leader on GIS and asset information.
• Setting the standards for asset location and protection.

It also involves developing and promoting education and awareness to increase industry skills and setting industry standards to enhance capability, and advocating for nationally consistent best practices with government and regulatory bodies.

You can read more about BYDA, it’s work and aims, in our recent interview with Mell Greenall.

BYDA’s five-year strategic plan was presented at a recent webinar, a recording of which you can watch below.