When you’re managing public works, the hidden network of gas, water, telco, and electrical lines beneath every site presents an ever-present risk. Whether it’s constructing roads, installing drainage, or enhancing community infrastructure, a single bucket in the ground can have significant safety implications, costly delays, and disrupt essential services to the community.
That’s why Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) is bringing the industry together for its first national Utility Safety Conference in 2026 – an event built around damage prevention, collaboration, and improving safety.
Event Details
- When: 4–5 March 2026
- Where: RACV City Club, Melbourne VIC
- Early Bird registration now open: $650 + GST (save $100 on standard registration until 30th September)
Why you should be there
The BYDA Utility Safety Conference will be a national forum focused on the practical changes needed to drive down utility strikes and lift safety standards across the public works and construction sectors. This conference puts you in the same room as asset owners, locators, engineers, planners, contractors and regulators, all working towards the same goal: zero damage, zero harm, and zero disruption.
What’s in it for you?
- Learn from Industry Experts: Hear from national and international speakers who are experts in utility safety, regulation, and infrastructure risk. You’ll gain practical insights into what’s working (and what’s not) in the field.
- Focussed Conversations: Network and exchange ideas with contractors, asset owners, and safety leaders. The program is built to spark discussion and break down silos between organisations and roles.
- Tackle the Real Issues: The agenda will cover challenges we face:
- Preventing utility strikes through better planning and communication
- Building stronger safety systems that work on project sites
- Addressing skills and training gaps across the workforce
- Strengthening collaboration across organisations and roles
Theme: Connected. Protected. Respected.
This year’s theme highlights the role everyone plays in reducing underground risk and explores how better connection across the industry can protect people and infrastructure. Our range of speakers feature industry experts, thought leaders, and focuses on damage prevention, protection of utility infrastructure, workers, and the community. Check out the full line up of Speakers as well as the Conference Program.
This is BYDA’s first-ever national utility safety conference, and it marks a pivotal moment in the industry’s approach to damage prevention. It’s a chance to set new benchmarks, have honest conversations, and shape how we move forward together.
If you want to:
- Stay ahead of safety and compliance requirements
- Build stronger partnerships with asset owners and workers
- Reduce project delays, incidents, and rework
- Be part of a safer, more efficient future for the industry
…then this is your event.
Book now – Early Bird closes soon
Attendees will walk away with practical knowledge, new connections, and a clearer view of where the industry is heading. Plus, the opportunity to have your voice heard at a national level.
- Early Bird registration: $650 + GST for a 2-day pass (save $100 until 30 September 2025)
- Standard registration: $750 + GST
Save an additional 10% on conference registration when you enter the code IPWEA10 at the checkout. Secure your place and register now via Eventbrite to dig into safety at the BYDA Utility Safety Conference 2026.
