Telstra urges Queensland farmers to dial before they dig

7 June 2019 – Telstra is urging Queensland farmers to Dial Before They Dig, following several incidents where underground cables were severed, affecting vital services.     
 
Regional General Manager Rachel Cliffe said there was lots of clean-up work happening across parts of north-west Queensland following recent flooding, and while Telstra understood property owners were getting on with the job, any ground breaking activity could damage the underground communications network. 
 
“We know how important connectivity is to our customers, particularly in the regions,” Ms Cliffe said. 
 
“When our fibre optic cables are cut, there can be some really serious consequences for the region. It can mean entire communities are disconnected, potentially preventing them from working, connecting with their family, and even calling Triple Zero (000), which in some instances can be life threatening. 
 
“Even something as simple as driving in a star picket or digging in your own backyard; any ground breaking activity can cause damage to our underground communications network and take customers, including emergency services, offline.
 
“With some simple planning and extra care, you can avoid costly damage to your valuable equipment, as well as ours.
 
“Dial Before You Dig is the essential first step you must take to ensure any ground breaking activity such as digging is safe and damage free.”
 
If you are undertaking a ground breaking activity (for example excavating) you must lodge an enquiry with Dial Before You Dig before you start.
 
There are several ways you can contact Dial Before You Dig to lodge your request: • online, anytime at www.1100.com.au • download the 1100 Dial Before You Dig iPhone App • dial 1100 from your phone, anytime during business hours
 
To report damages to Telstra equipment call 13 22 03.
 
-ends-
 
 
Media contact: Danita Goodwin
M: 0439886652
E: media@team.telstra.com
Reference number: 060/2019