Non-Destructive Digging Contractor in WA
For 50+ years, Boretech Contracting has delivered non-destructive digging (NDD) and vacuum excavation services across Perth metro, regional Western Australia, and New South Wales.
Our truck-mounted vac units run on high-pressure water to break soil and a suction hose to extract spoil, giving you a clean, controlled excavation with zero mechanical contact near live underground services.
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What Is Non-Destructive Digging?
Non-destructive digging, also called vacuum excavation or hydro excavation, is the only excavation method that removes material without mechanical contact with the ground. That distinction matters when you are working in Perth’s inner suburbs, where a single corridor can contain Telstra copper, NBN conduit, Western Power LV cable, Water Corporation mains, and gas reticulation all within half a metre of each other.
Here is how it works:
- A high-pressure water lance breaks the soil at the target location
- A suction hose draws the loosened material into the truck’s onboard spoil tank
- Nothing hard touches the ground below the surface at any point
The result is a positively exposed service that your crew can see, measure, and work safely around before any mechanical equipment gets near it.
Boretech operates truck-mounted NDD units with 8,000-litre spoil capacity. Our vac trucks are available for wet hire with a licensed operator in WA and NSW, and run daily across our own civil excavation and directional drilling programmes.
Why Clients Choose Boretech for Non-Destructive Digging in Perth WA
Boretech has run vacuum excavation as an in-house capability since we started operating on the NBN and Telstra networks. Our vac trucks are staffed by our own crews, maintained in our Balcatta workshop, and built into every programme we run, not hired in when a project needs them.
50+ Years of Combined Experience in WA Underground Infrastructure
The supervisors and project managers running Boretech’s NDD programmes bring over 50 years of combined experience across civil construction and underground utility installation in Western Australia.
That depth of knowledge covers ground that most contractors have not worked in:
- Perth sand profiles from Joondalup to Rockingham
- Limestone and calcrete in the southern suburbs and Swan Coastal Plain
- Clay and coffee rock through the inner metro corridor
- Hard rock up to 290 MPa in Kalgoorlie, the Pilbara, and Mid West WA
No Service Strikes. Ever.
The consequences of a service strike are not abstract. A strike on a Western Power HV cable shuts down a neighbourhood. A gas main strike triggers an emergency response. A Telstra strike kills active network services across a street.
Boretech’s NDD process is designed to make those outcomes impossible before mechanical works begin:
- Full DBYD referral submitted before every mobilisation
- Electromagnetic utility locating completed across the full work corridor on arrival
- NDD used to physically expose services at every critical location before drilling or excavation proceeds
- All field personnel trained in service strike prevention under site-specific SWMS
Our Own Fleet, Maintained In-House
Boretech’s vacuum excavation units are company-owned, serviced in our Balcatta workshop, and operated by our own licensed crew. There is no call to a hire company when a project needs NDD, no unfamiliar operator arriving with a machine you have never seen before, and no availability gap that delays your programme.
Our 8,000-litre spoil tank capacity means:
- Fewer disposal runs on full-day scopes
- Consistent production through the work shift
- No output drops mid-programme from machine changeovers
Wet Hire Available in WA and NSW
For clients who need vacuum excavation capacity on their own project, Boretech offers wet hire of our 8,000L vac truck with a licensed operator. Available across Western Australia and New South Wales.
What wet hire with Boretech includes:
- A purpose-built, maintained truck-mounted vacuum unit
- A licensed, experienced operator familiar with WA and NSW utility environments
- Flexible daily or weekly hire arrangements
- No plant ownership costs, no operator sourcing, no machine management on your end
Wet hire enquiries: vactruck@boretechcontracting.com.au
One Subcontractor for NDD, Open Cut, and HDD
Splitting NDD, excavation, and directional drilling across separate subcontractors is the fastest way to create programme delays. Boretech self-performs all three in-house, which means:
- Service confirmation from NDD feeds directly into our HDD or excavation crew with no handover gap
- No second subcontractor to schedule, brief, or wait on at critical programme points
- One SWMS, one induction, one point of contact for the full scope
- Proven on complex mixed-method programmes including freeway extensions, national park crossings, and live rail corridor works
How Boretech Manages Non-Destructive Digging Projects
The same six-step process runs on every NDD scope Boretech delivers, from a two-hour service exposure in Subiaco to a multi-week vacuum excavation programme supporting an HDD package in the Goldfields.
Step 1 – DBYD Referral and Pre-Mobilisation Review
Before any crew or equipment moves, the project team submits a Dial Before You Dig referral and reviews all available utility plans, design drawings, and site access information.
The DBYD response is mapped against the project corridor to identify service conflicts, gaps in records, and locations where NDD is required to confirm what is actually in the ground before other works begin.
Step 2 – On-Site Utility Locating
On arrival, Boretech’s crew runs a full electromagnetic locating sweep across the work area. This establishes the position and approximate depth of all detectable underground services before NDD or any other works commence.
Locating is not skipped based on programme pressure. It is the step that makes everything after it safe.
Step 3 – Vacuum Excavation and Service Exposure
With locating complete, the vac truck is positioned and the high-pressure water lance is applied at the target location. Spoil is drawn into the 8,000L onboard tank through the suction hose.
In high-density utility corridors, the crew works methodically through the area, positively exposing and confirming each service before moving to the next location.
Step 4 – Service Confirmation and Crew Handover
Once services are exposed, their position and depth are recorded and communicated to the excavation or HDD crew before mechanical works begin.
Where Boretech manages the full scope, handover is internal and immediate. Where NDD is a standalone scope ahead of another contractor, exposed services are clearly marked and documented for the principal contractor’s records.
Step 5 – Spoil Management and Site Control
All extracted spoil stays in the onboard tank throughout the works. It is removed to an approved disposal facility at the end of shift or managed on-site depending on the scope.
When the vac truck is running in support of an HDD programme, drilling fluid and mud returns are managed through the same equipment. The road reserve and work area stay clean throughout.
Step 6 – Reinstatement and Demobilisation
Trial holes and excavated areas are backfilled, compacted, and reinstated to the specified standard. All spoil, water, and waste is removed from site.
The scope is signed off against project documentation before Boretech demobilises.
Who We Work With
Boretech delivers NDD and vacuum excavation for clients across the utility, civil, resources, and government sectors in WA, SA, and NSW.
Utility Network Operators
Utility operators including NBN Co, Western Power, Water Corporation WA, and licensed gas network operators require NDD as a mandatory step before any excavation or drilling near their assets. Boretech has delivered vacuum excavation scopes directly for operators across all four sectors, and our crews understand the documentation, permit conditions, and installation standards each operator requires on their network.
Principal Contractors
On major civil programmes, NDD is not a one-off step. It is required at drill entry and exit points, across congested service corridors ahead of bulk excavation, at every crossing where records are unclear, and whenever ground conditions raise doubt about what the plans show. Boretech integrates NDD into our civil and HDD delivery so delivery partners are not managing a separate subcontractor to keep the programme moving. One contractor, one schedule, one accountability chain.
Mining and Resources Clients
Mine sites in the WA Goldfields and Pilbara require vacuum excavation for underground service exposure, pit infrastructure installation, and utility trench preparation in environments where buried assets cannot be damaged under any circumstances. Boretech's Kalgoorlie regional base reduces mobilisation time into the Goldfields significantly. Our crews hold the site inductions, safety documentation compliance, and regional field experience required to operate effectively on mine sites across WA.
Local Government and Public Sector
Road reserve utility records in older Perth suburbs are often incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting. Local government infrastructure works in areas like Belmont, Bayswater, Morley, and the inner metro ring regularly uncover services that DBYD records do not show. Boretech delivers NDD for councils and road authorities across Perth metro and regional WA, working under road reserve permits, live traffic management plans, and the reinstatement standards required by each authority.Button: Discuss Your Project With Us
Licences, Accreditations and Safety
Licences and Registrations
- EC Licence: 14748
- WorkSafe Restricted Asbestos Removal Licence: WR2407
- ABN: 68 623 214 497
- ACN: 623 214 497
- Compliant with the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA)
Safety and Compliance
- All field personnel trained in SWMS compliance and service strike prevention
- DBYD referral and on-site utility locating completed before mobilisation on every project
- NDD used to positively expose services before any mechanical works commence
- Experienced under live traffic management plans, road reserve permits, and environmental management plans
- WorkSafe Restricted Asbestos Removal Licence WR2407 held for ACM encountered during excavation
Recent Projects Involving NDD and Vacuum Excavation
Morley/Ellenbrook Pipeline Relocations, Bayswater WA
Boretech delivered NDD and HDD works on the Morley/Ellenbrook pipeline relocation programme in Bayswater, working in one of Perth’s most congested utility corridors.
Variable ground conditions including sugar sand, sticky clay, and coffee rock sat in the water table throughout the alignment. Vacuum excavation was used to confirm service positions at each drill shot location before the Vermeer D40x55DR commenced boring. Night shift delivery across five nights with zero incidents.
Mitchell Freeway Extensions, Perth WA
Boretech delivered 65 drill shots across the Mitchell Freeway Extension programme in limestone, caprock, and sand, with NDD supporting pre-drill service verification across the full scope.
The vac truck ran continuously through the programme, managing service exposures and drilling fluid returns at multiple active bore locations simultaneously across this high-complexity urban infrastructure corridor.
City of Belmont, Perth WA
Boretech completed civil excavation and underground utility installation for the City of Belmont across inner eastern Perth suburbs, with vacuum excavation used throughout to expose existing services in the road reserve before open cut trenching commenced.
Works were completed to local government reinstatement specification with full pavement restoration.
Locations We Serve Across WA and Australia
Boretech operates from our Balcatta workshop and Perth office, with a regional base in Kalgoorlie supporting faster mobilisation into the Goldfields and regional WA.
Perth Metropolitan Areas
- Balcatta
- Joondalup
- Osborne Park
- Morley
- Ellenbrook
- Midland
- Malaga
- Cannington
- Rockingham
- Armadale
- Fremantle
- Canning Vale
- Cockburn
- Mandurah
- Stirling
- Wanneroo
- Bassendean
- Bayswater
- Belmont
- Victoria Park
- Subiaco
- Nedlands
- Claremont
- Cottesloe
- Karrinyup
- Scarborough
- Inglewood
- Mount Lawley
- Mirrabooka
- Nollamara
- Bentley
- Thornlie
- Gosnells
- Maddington
- Kenwick
- Wangara
- Landsdale
- Dianella
- Yokine
- Innaloo
Regional and Goldfields WA
- Kalgoorlie
- Geraldton
- Esperance
- Albany
- Karratha
- Port Hedland
- Dampier
- Newman
- Broome
- Tom Price
- Carnarvon
- Exmouth
- Merredin
- Narrogin
- Northam
- York
South West WA
- Bunbury
- Busselton
- Margaret River
- Collie
- Harvey
- Capel
- Dunsborough
- Manjimup
- Bridgetown
Interstate
- Adelaide SA
- Sydney NSW
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Destructive Digging in Perth WA
Non destructive digging (NDD) is a safe excavation method used to locate underground utilities and expose underground infrastructure without damaging buried utilities or underground assets. Unlike destructive digging, traditional excavation methods, or mechanical excavation using heavy machinery, non destructive excavation uses high pressure water or compressed air to break up soil while a powerful vacuum system removes the loosened soil and resulting slurry into a sealed spoil tank.
This vacuum excavation process allows operators to safely excavate around gas lines, power cables, telecommunication lines, underground pipes, water pipes, and other underground services without direct mechanical contact.
Hydro excavation uses pressurised water and high pressure water jets to loosen soil in the excavation area before a vacuum system removes the material. The vacuum system removes more soil quickly and cleanly, helping crews safely expose underground services while minimising disruption to the surrounding area.
This process is safer than manual digging, traditional digging methods, or using a traditional excavator near underground infrastructure because it reduces utility strike risks, costly damage, and repair costs.
Air excavation is another form of non destructive digging that uses compressed air instead of high pressure water to loosen soil. It is commonly used around tree roots, root systems, and environmentally sensitive areas where dry excavation is preferred.
Like hydro excavation, the loosened soil is removed using a powerful vacuum excavation system, allowing crews to visually confirm underground assets and safely expose buried utilities without damaging surrounding infrastructure.
Vacuum excavation should always be considered before mechanical excavation or bulk excavation begins near underground utilities. On many construction projects, underground services such as gas lines, power cables, telecommunication lines, and water pipes are located within congested utility corridors where traditional excavation methods create unnecessary safety risks.
Using non destructive digging NDD before excavation work begins helps contractors locate underground utilities, confirm the exact location and exact depth of underground infrastructure, and avoid costly mistakes.
Destructive digging and traditional digging methods rely on heavy machinery or manual digging that can accidentally strike underground services. A utility strike involving gas lines, water pipes, or power cables can result in major repair costs, delays, and safety risks for contractors and asset owners.
Non destructive excavation is considered the safest method because operators can safely expose underground infrastructure without direct mechanical contact, reducing environmental impact and protecting critical infrastructure.
Yes. Non destructive digging services are widely used to locate underground utilities before construction projects, excavation work, or site preparation begins. Boretech combines electromagnetic detection, ground penetrating radar, and vacuum excavation to visually confirm underground services onsite.
This process helps identify buried utilities and underground pipes before excavation starts, helping contractors avoid costly damage to underground assets.
Hydro excavation can safely excavate through a wide range of soil types and ground conditions, including sandy soils, compacted gravel, limestone, and clay. Operators adjust the high pressure water flow depending on the excavation area and surrounding underground infrastructure.
In harder conditions where more soil resistance is encountered, Boretech can combine non destructive digging methods with controlled mechanical excavation where required.
Yes. Vacuum excavation is considered an environmentally friendly excavation solution because it minimises disruption to soil, underground infrastructure, and the surrounding area.
Compared with traditional excavation methods and destructive digging using heavy machinery, hydro excavation creates less environmental impact and keeps excavation sites cleaner and safer throughout construction industry projects.
There are several key reasons why non destructive digging services are widely used across complex infrastructure projects and construction projects:
- Safely expose underground services and buried utilities
- Reduce utility strike risks and costly damage
- Lower repair costs and delays
- Protect underground assets and critical infrastructure
- Improve cost effectiveness on excavation projects
- Reduce environmental impact and disruption
- Safely excavate in tight spaces and sensitive environments
- Support cleaning pits, HDD works, and site preparation
- Provide a more responsible choice than traditional digging methods
Boretech Contracting delivers NDD and vacuum excavation across Perth metropolitan areas from its Balcatta workshop, including all inner and outer metro suburbs from Joondalup in the north to Mandurah in the south. Regional WA is serviced across the Goldfields, Pilbara, Mid West, and South West regions, with Boretech’s Kalgoorlie regional base reducing mobilisation time into the Goldfields significantly. In New South Wales, Boretech operates for wet hire engagements and project-specific NDD scopes. For enquiries about coverage for a specific location or project, contact the estimating team at estimating@boretechcontracting.com.au or call (08) 6377 7682.
Get Safe, Fast & Reliable Non-Destructive Digging Across WA & NSW
Avoid costly damage, delays, and service strikes with Boretech Contracting’s professional vacuum excavation services. From single service exposures to large-scale civil and HDD support packages, our experienced crews, licensed operators, and specialised fleet deliver safe, efficient excavation with minimal disruption across Perth metro, regional WA, and NSW.
For project and job enquiries: estimating@boretechcontracting.com.au (08) 6377 7682
Vac truck hire enquiries: vactruck@boretechcontracting.com.au
Workshop and office: 5 Kenhelm St, Balcatta WA 6021
Regional office: 96 Egan St, Kalgoorlie WA 6430
Licences: EC 14748 | WorkSafe Asbestos WR2407 | ABN 68 623 214 497
