Locate a cable

Please note that Top Energy is currently undergoing a significant software upgrade project. Between Monday, 22 September, and Monday, 13 October, we will not be processing any High Load, Cable Location, or Close Approach applications during this period. Please ensure that applications are in before 22 September. Applications received during this period will be put on hold to be processed from 13 October.

We thank you for your understanding and patience during this period.

A cable location application engages Top Energy to mark the location of underground electricity cables before you dig or excavate to ensure your work is undertaken safely and to avoid any costly damage to the electricity cables.

We need a minimum of 5 working days to approve your application. Submit your application below.

If your project requires ongoing support from Top Energy—such as engineering input, cable location services, or close approach assessments—please connect with us early. These services may involve additional costs and must be agreed upon in advance to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance

We do not charge to locate our own cables. If you want us to provide location services for cables on private property, such as your service cable, the charge is $138 per hour, including GST (minimum charge of $138).

You, as the applicant or your contractor, are required to be on-site when the cables are being located and marked. This is to ensure that the marked-out area is correct and to confirm that you fully understand the mark-out and your obligations. Top Energy will call you to make an appointment.

Same-day cancellations or failure to be on-site at the appointed time will generate a $138 fee.

The process

For your planning purposes, we are registered with the BeforeUDig service. Registered customers using this service will receive a plan for our nearby assets. This plan can be used to mark out where you intend to dig, which can then be uploaded as part of your cable locate process application.

We will review our records and provide a plan indicating the approximate location of electrical cables at the worksite location. We then spray paint on the ground the approximate location (but not the depth) determined using an electronic cable locator.

Locating cables has many variables.

The position is subject to reasonable tolerance and may not be directly below the marked area; and the depth of cover may also have changed since installation as ground levels are altered;

The applicant or their contractor must verify the position of cables before excavating; this must be done with careful potholing by hand digging. Top Energy can provide a quote for this service.

The spray paint markings on the ground are only valid for a maximum of 30 days or until they are not clearly visible due to spray paint deterioration, whichever occurs first. If work has not proceeded after 30 days or the markings have disappeared, you will be required to apply for another cable location request.