NULCA represents companies who are locating the utilities in the field as well as manufactures and retailers of locating equipment. This is a very positive approach to the advancement of our industry, as we are able to have firsthand knowledge of new and innovative equipment from other members.

Some of our members have vacuum excavation units and this number is increasing rapidly due to the fact that service providers such as Telstra, Optus, PowerTel and power utilities are tending towards this as their preferred potholing technique.

Recently, at the General Meeting after the AGM, Dominic Puiu from Dial Before You Dig gave a presentation on the number of strikes that have occurred on Telstra cables over the last few years in New South Wales. It was certainly interesting to see that the Central Coast area around Gosford and Wyong, was one of the areas with a high strike rate. There is certainly potential for locating work in this area. It would appear that this sort of information might become available to NULCA members in all states in future.

Ian Palmer from J B Hunter Technology also gave a presentation at the meeting. He presented the draft form of our training package, bringing on a great deal of enthusiastic discussion regarding what could or should be considered an adequate basis for training and then how it could be examined in a practical situation. The input from members was gratefully received and Ian also requested input from all NULCA members regarding:

* Cathodic protection of pipelines, * Risk Assessment and Work Method Statements as examples for participants in the course, and, * Any other input that you feel is appropriate for this training package.

After editing, we look forward to it being introduced as a course which will be a step towards the recognition of locators as members of a profession equal to other trades.

Currently, NULCA has members in all states except Tasmania. As a scattered association we find it difficult to meet face to face on a regular basis. In order to assist with member interaction we now have a “Forum/Blog” page on our web site (www.nulca.com.au) on the Members Only page, where you can share information and ideas with other NULCA members. Normal legal constraints apply to this site. Our thanks to Treasurer, Shirlee Cook for her speed in getting the Forum/Blog page up and running.

Our future as an association depends on a strong base which reflects an involved and active membership, and a committee that is responsive and responsible to its members whilst actively steering the membership towards world’s best practice in the field of locating. To this end it would almost appear necessary for NULCA to organise a field for the location industry. Something I sincerely hope our current committee can achieve.

As each locator is basically a “protector” of the underground assets of utility owners, and limits the “strikes” made by other contractors/individuals, it appears to be most unfair that Professional Indemnity insurance is both difficult to obtain and expensive. The more our membership grows, the greater our chance of negotiating fairer rates of insurance for our members.