I need to
Find underground cables
Know What's Below
For your safety and the safety of those around you, it's important to know what's underground before starting any digging, staking, fencing or excavation work.
To help you accurately locate underground power cables within Unison’s electricity network area, we provide a Cable Location service. This helps you work safely and reduces the risk of hitting Unison’s power cables.
What is a Cable Location service?
This service includes the provision of plans (where available) to indicate the approximate location of Unison's underground power cables and/or marking them out on-site. In most cases, this service is offered free of charge.
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For customers connected to the Unison network, or private land-owners, who are looking to locate Unison underground power cables on their property or near the property boundary, this service is provided free of charge.
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For customers connected to the Unison network, or private land-owners, who are looking to locate privately-owned service main cables (the service line which runs from the road boundary to your mains switch or meter board), customers are entitled to one location service per year, free of charge. Additional requests may incur a charge.
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For all infrastructure owners, utility asset owners (including territorial authorities) and all utility corridor contractors working in the utility corridor, Unison offers location services for which charges apply (see the schedule of charges below).
Unison does not own or have records of other private electricity installation cables and wiring which may be inside your property, such as cables which could run from a house to a garage, or from a garage to a pool. Please contact your local electrician to locate privately owned services.
Cable Location and Mark-out service charges (all charges are shown exclusive of GST);
Unison offers a free Plan service, along with a Cable Location and Mark-out service, to help locate our underground power cables.
| Plan service (provision of plans) | Free |
| Cable Location and Mark-out service of Unison's cables (connected customer and private landowners) |
Free |
| Cable Location and Mark-out service of privately-owned service main cables** (connected customer and private landowners) |
1 x free location service per annum (otherwise service fee applies*) |
| Cable Location and Mark-out service for infrastructure owners, utility asset owners and utility corridor contractors |
Service fee applies* |
| Service Fees | |
| Travel, locating and mark-out time (8.30am - 4.30pm, Mon-Fri) | $95/hr |
| Mileage | $1.87/km |
| Urgent (less than three working days) or after hours service | Surcharge applies |
*The Actual Fee will be based on time and mileage.
**A privately-owned service main cable is defined as the cable from the road boundary of a property to the mains switch or meter board, whichever comes first.
Close Approach Consent
Are you going to be working within five metres of an underground power cable or power box? Make sure you also apply for a Unison Close Approach Consent to get the job done safely.
A Close Approach Consent ensures Unison is aware of the work you will be carrying out, so that the necessary safety precautions can be arranged to allow you to carry out your work safely.