Module 1 of 8
Welcome to gas awareness
What you need to know to work safely near gas infrastructure, and the part your council plays in planning out the risk of a gas asset strike.
In this pack we will cover
Your role
Your role in planning out the risk of striking an underground gas asset.
Why this matters
The risks, and the outcomes a single mistake can set in motion.
What to do
What we need you to do when planning, approving and training.
You play a pivotal role through your authority as key gatekeepers whenever anyone builds near these assets.
Module 2 of 8
The lifecycle
Natural gas is transported from gas production plants to consumers via the natural gas system. It is worth understanding where your decisions sit within it.
The system comprises high pressure transmission pipelines and the distribution network, with its lower pressure services, being the gas mains and service lines. Assets sit under roads, footpaths, nature strips and private land right across the areas your council administers.
From production to the consumer
Compressor Stations
Network
Your role in this lifecycle
Every stage of that network is protected, or exposed, by the decisions made at the planning counter. You play a pivotal role through your authority as key gatekeepers whenever anyone builds near these assets.
Module 3 of 8
Why your role matters
Your role is to prevent, approve, and, where necessary, enforce.
Prevent
Require early consultation with gas distributors and permits before works near pipelines.
Approve
Grant planning permits only when gas safety and distributor conditions are met.
Enforce
Issue fines, stop-work orders, or escalate breaches to the regulator and authorities.
Nothing gets built near a gas asset without passing through your hands first. That is why early consultation is the single most effective control you hold.
Module 4 of 8
Key risks
Six risks show up again and again in incidents involving councils and their contractors.
Excavation damage
Striking gas assets during digging or drilling can cause leaks, explosions, or serious injury.
Non-compliance with legislation
Failing to meet legal safety obligations can result in prosecution and heavy penalties.
Lack of planning and notification
Not using BYDA or informing Tas Gas can lead to uncontrolled high-risk work near gas assets.
Work near strategic assets
Unauthorised activity within 25 m of strategic mains can trigger major gas incidents and supply loss.
Improper use of high-risk equipment
Blasting or using high-pressure vacuum trucks without controls can damage critical infrastructure.
Poor emergency preparedness
Not having proper procedures, equipment, or exclusion zones increases harm during a gas incident.
Module 5 of 8
Outcomes we seek to prevent
A single strike can escalate within minutes. These are the consequences that sit behind every permit decision.
Immediate consequences
Consequences that follow
Module 6 of 8
When planning
Your safety obligations at the planning and permit stage.
Underground checks
Include underground infrastructure checks as part of the planning approval process.
Pipeline planning corridor
Notify Tas Gas of all Development Applications to ensure risks are assessed and technical advice is available.
BYDA compliance
Ensure roadwork and excavation permits comply with BYDA processes.
Gas clearance checks
Ensure gas clearance checks are a required tick-box in road opening and permit systems.
Check gas infrastructure early, not after permits are issued. Once a permit is out the door, your leverage is gone.
Module 7 of 8
When training
Your safety obligations when building awareness across your planning and works teams.
Awareness presentation
Use the awareness presentation to train planning and works teams on responsibilities and risks.
Distribute handouts
Distribute check before you dig handouts to civil contractors and staff involved in field works.
Promote safe behaviour
Promote safe excavation behaviours and timely consultation with gas asset owners.
Confirm protocols
Confirm enforcement protocols for non-compliant contractors and escalation points.
Module 8 of 8
Always remember
Three things to carry back to your team.
Your approvals influence long-term safety.
Ensure your team checks gas infrastructure early, not after permits are issued.
Roadworks and planning decisions carry serious safety requirements.
Safety tools available to you
Check before you dig handouts
Field-ready handouts for civil contractors and staff involved in excavation works. Request copies from your Tas Gas contact.
Awareness presentation
The full presentation pack for running sessions with your own planning and works teams.
Get in touch with us
We value your partnership and are here to support you. Your engagement helps us ensure safe, efficient, and reliable management of our gas assets.
Knowledge check
Test your understanding
Ten questions drawn from the modules you have just completed. You need 8 out of 10 to pass and unlock your certificate.
Completion
Your certificate
Your certificate unlocks once you have passed the knowledge check with 8 out of 10 or better. Head back to the knowledge check when you are ready.