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“We run a strict dig permit system at Coogee Chemicals, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time a locating tech from Subtera is booked in. They know our system and what documentation is required”
John Reid, Coogee Chemicals

"For $1 we spend with Subtera at the design stage of a project we expect to save $4 on the overall project, its just makes good business sense, AS 5488 is the way to go for future projects.”
Paul Blignaut, AECOM

“When we get called in for burst water main at a defence base we need to act quickly, we call Subtera because of their availability, knowledge of the defence infrastructure and have all the documentation to get the dig permit over the line”
Tom Flower, Ace Plus

“Our sole focus is saving our client's time and money by mapping the subsurface infrastructure for intelligent design”
Dale Shearsmith, Managing Director

“Subtera have a flexible attitude towards services investigations and proved to be creative problem solvers during site works. They demonstrated high levels of commitment and professionalism as they sought out viable solutions to some of the unique challenges posed by working on Rottnest Island."
Aaron McCreath, Rottnest Island Authority

About

History

When Subtera started out as MP Electrolocation over a quarter of a century ago, our business was a subset of Mosman Plumbing.

Today, our business has outgrown our origins, and we work with some of Western Australia’s biggest Environmental, Construction and Civil Engineering companies as well as Federal, State and Local Government clients, in the metro area and remote locations.

From our high quality ground penetrating radar, to concrete scanning and underground cable location, we carry out a wide variety of underground services across Perth and WA.

Team

Our teams are available for fast deployment anywhere in the state for subsurface locating or concrete scanning work around Perth. Each team member has had extensive training and experience in subsurface locating. All our vehicles are identically equipped with a Mala Ground Penetrating Radar 500mMHz (Ideal for outdoors), Mala Ground Penetrating Radar CX 1.6GHz (Ideal for concrete scanning), Radiodetection 8000 line locators and Pit lifting aids.

Once on site, we can deliver results quickly – using high resolution images from nearmaps.com.au with all services marked and colour coded, tab markers, PVC markers or paint on the ground.

Affiliates

We are members of The National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NULCA) and are Telstra, Westnet and Perth Transport accredited.

Projects

Fiona Stanley Hospital
Fremantle Ports
Perth - Mandurah Rail Link
RAAF Pearce
Joondalup Health Campus upgrade

Key Clients

Our vision is to create a more standard-driven industry that delivers clients the results that they need quickly, in the format they choose

Process

Subtera’s goal is to respond quickly to client requests for information and quotes on subsurface utility location and concrete scanning across Perth, to provide prompt, competitively priced service, and to deliver the subsurface scanning results direct to the client from site.

PLAN

Consider the project you have in hand, and get started on subsurface location work before you go to site. Subtera can help here with preparatory work including desktop research and planning assistance.

LOCATE

The Subtera team, properly briefed and armed with the right information, can complete their subsurface work quickly and efficiently, and deliver visual confirmation of service locations whilst still on site. Our ground penetrating radar and cable locators in Peth are both reliable and safe.

PROTECT

Having established where the services are located, you should have a plan as to how to protect them from the earthmoving and construction works you plan to undertake. Subtera can assist in this area.

PROCEED

Get to work on your project armed with the knowledge of the existing subsurface utilities. Eliminate costly planning delays, prevent life threatening incidents and damage to existing subsurface utilities.

Subsurface utilities surveyed and added to AutoCAD drawing

Subsurface utilities located

High resolution photo of area

Our teams are equipped with the latest electromagnetic line locating and ground penetrating radar technology, ready to travel anywhere in Western Australia to respond to our clients’ needs

Services

The key to efficient, accurate subsurface utility location is arriving on site properly briefed and informed, with the right equipment. Subtera utilises a cloud based scheduling system which enables our teams to have all the plans required for the job onsite. All the records pertaining to your job are archived and are always on hand for immediate retrieval.

Location Targets

There are a broad range of services and utilities that may be present underground on site, consisting of different materials and coatings. Our subsurface location equipment is designed to detect and locate the entire spectrum of underground services in Perth. READ MORE

Copper and fibre communication cables
Electrical cables
Gas and water pipes
Security and fire systems
Conduits within concrete slabs

Industry Standard Quality Levels

Even the most experienced engineers, planners, developers and construction supervisors are often unaware that there are four levels of classification for Subsurface Utility Information (SUI AS 5488-2013) under Australian Standards.

When asking for a quote from Subtera, the most effective way is to determine which of these four quality levels best applies to the project, and nominate it on your quote request.

Subsurface Location Equipment

Subtera utilises two different kinds of non-destructive underground service location equipment (Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Line Locators), using both on-site as a cross-referencing mechanism to ensure accuracy. Subtera maintains strong relationships with technology providers such as Radiodetection and Mala, to ensure that we can offer state of the art equipment tuned precisely to our clients’ needs. READ MORE

Concrete Scanning

Concrete can be a difficult medium to work with, as different slab constructions and thicknesses of it can distort the signals of the equipment and provide confusing results.

Our concrete scanning equipment can identify problems in concrete such as rebar deformation and voids, but in general the Subtera concrete scanning teams are searching for services embedded in the concrete for clients planning to core through it without affecting utilities or structural integrity. READ MORE

Our safety systems are integrated into all of our activities to achieve our goal of ZERO harm

Safety

Not only does Subtera provide safety by undertaking high risk subsurface utility location for our clients, but it is at the core of our business. The environments we work in routinely are harsh with high risks. Therefore we operate under an Occupational Health and Safety System ensuring our commitment to protecting the health and safety of our employees and public in the workplace. Our safety systems are integrated into all of our activities to achieve our goal of ZERO harm.

SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENTS

Each time a Subtera team member arrives onsite a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement is completed and signed. This time stamped document is then attached to the job ticket for archiving purposes.

BEST PRACTICE

Our clients demand the highest safety standards but as each company has a different approach to safety, satisfying all the requirements can be difficult. At Subtera we are always liaising with the leaders in OH&S in these international and national companies to keep abreast of the best practise in our industry.

Careers With Subtera

As a growing, progressive company with an expanding client list, Subtera is often looking for experienced and trainee personnel to join our team. If you enjoy working outside, can work without direct supervision on site, and love working with the latest technology, a Subtera career may be for you.

Subtera maintains strong relationships with technology providers such as Radiodetection and Mala, to ensure that we can offer state of the art equipment tuned precisely to our clients’ needs

News and Updates

Bakers Hill Subsurface Utility Survey

To survey the subsurface utilities on the Great Eastern Highway, Bakers Hill. This included: Full pot holing Installation of PVC markers
Read more
Subsurface Utility Survey for Proposed Water Pipeline

Our client: Rottnest Island Authority. RIA is the statutory body that controls and manages Rottnest Island
Read more
Rebranding

What started out as a tweak to our existing website turned into a full rebrand. Often in business you are at the coal face trying keep everyone happy and get the …
Read more
Subsurface Utilities GIS

The Claremont Showgrounds has been an iconic Perth venue since its inception in 1905. It’s a 32 acre site housing a variety of infrastructure and the home of some of the …
Read more
3D GPR Scanning

Often the Building Management of a shopping centre will find itself in a position where it needs to revaluate its kiosk’s leasing layout. But being able to supply the new kiosk …
Read more