JOINT VENTURE TO DRIVE “CAR” SERVICE FOR AUSTRALIAN COUNCILS

Melbourne-headquartered software and services company PelicanCorp and not- for-profit group Dial Before You Dig have launched a joint venture to introduce the Corridor Access Request (CAR) service local government in Australia.

The service manages the entire business process associated with requests to dig in road reserves submitted to local government and other road authorities by construction and contracting businesses.

Local councils require anyone intending to dig in a road corridor to apply for and have approved a road opening notice prior to the start of works.

PelicanCorp managing director Duane Rodgers says the CAR service offers significant benefits to both councils and contractors.

“Requiring only minimal resources, Councils and other road authorities can reduce the time needed to process corridor access requests and consequently they can increase revenue through a higher volume of permit requests,” he said.

As a part of the service councils and road authorities have access to an online workflow solution called CAR Manager. The CAR Manager system shows all CAR requests on a map and also provides required workflow tools to guide users through the permit approval process.  The CAR service records a complete history of road works for warranty and restoration purposes.

Contractors using the Dial Before You Dig service for the traditional plan request from utilities will also now automatically have requests for permits delivered to participating councils and road authorities.

Contractors will enjoy reductions in the time to lodge and obtain a permit for road access.

“As councils in New Zealand have embraced the CAR system, so contractors also benefit through consistent processes in submitting requests to different councils,” Mr Rodgers said.

“We expect to see a very positive response to CAR from local government in Australia to help in managing road opening permits,” he adds. 

Since it was launched in New Zealand, the CAR service has been implemented by more than 45 local government bodies and accounts for some 80 percent of the road opening permits granted nationally each year.

The new joint venture company, DBYD Technologies Pty Ltd is responsible for ongoing marketing and support of the CAR system in Australia while the data used by the system is supplied and managed by Dial Before You Dig.

About Dial Before You Dig

Dial Before You Dig is a national not-for-profit group of state associations made up of member organisations that own Australia's underground assets. Its members are primarily owners of Australia’s underground assets including electricity, gas, communications and water companies. About 125 councils of some 650 across Australia are members of Dial Before You Dig. They look to protect the storm water drains, sewerage infrastructure, irrigation and network cabling between council locations.

About PelicanCorp

PelicanCorp’s technology and service suite has been designed and built around the network and asset design and construction processes. Civil contractors operating in the ‘before you dig’ sector, use PelicanCorp’s services to locate and protect the essential infrastructure of public and private sector organisations including those providing  telecommunications, power, water and  other services.  PelicanCorp operates in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Europe and Singapore. It was established in 2000 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. For further information please visit www.pelicancorp.com