Story: What to do Before Digging on Public Areas
Episode: 8
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
Air Date: 10 October 2026

Nigel discovers why underground services need to be considered when digging in communal areas, and how planning for tree roots and overhead powerlines can help prevent damage to essential infrastructure.

• Nature strips, verges and communal gardens can contain underground utility lines, so it’s important to check before digging in these areas.
• Damaging services can affect entire streets or suburbs and lead to significant repair costs, making it essential to check utility plans and exclusion zones.
• Tree roots can also interfere with underground services, so consider the mature root system of a tree before planting and ask your nursery about its expected growth.
• It’s also important to look up before planting, avoiding trees that could eventually grow into overhead powerlines.
• Before digging, visit BYDA at byda.com.au to check for underground services. The free online service is easy to use, with results usually returned within a couple of hours.

For more information, head to:
byda.com.au