Technology used to make finding gas pipe locations easier

30 May 2012

Technology used to make finding gas pipe locations faster and easier

Nova Energy announced today the availability of online maps indicating the location of its gas lines around the country using the PLAN.IT system. Nova Energy technical manager Craig Muirhead says the PLAN.IT solution, which not only makes gas line locations available, but also provides a fully automated enquiry management system - is a move to increase productivity in an area where consents, data and damage can cause major delays.

The initiative by Nova Energy comes just days after results from the first Ernst & Young New Zealand Productivity Pulse Survey showed that on average New Zealand worker will waste a full day of work in a week due to delays caused by technology and ‘red tape’, such as necessary paperwork and time spent waiting for approval from management.

For councils and roading contractors, whose work can affect assets owned by utility operators such as Nova Energy, the processes involved have traditionally been time consuming and communication has not always been easy.

Nova Energy’s free service uses BureauCo’s PLAN.IT software solution which allows registered users to access geospatial imagery, and brings a number of communication and approval streams together forming an integrated community allowing for a more efficient cooperative service.

Local Government Online ("LGOL") announced its support for PLAN.IT being used across councils, contractors, asset owners and other stakeholders in 2011. LGOL CEO, Cassandra Crowley said the findings of documents like Ernst & Young New Zealand Productivity Pulse illustrates well one of the reasons LGOL supports use of smart solutions like PLAN.IT.road.

“We need councils, businesses and individuals to be doing what adds the most value - lets automate where we can to provide robust, auditable services that free up valuable employee time to deliver services elsewhere. It’s great to see companies like Nova Energy instantly recognising the business value of joined up systems and open data” she said.

Regulation was introduced earlier this year to improve the processes surrounding work in roading corridor management and attempt to minimise disruptions and damage. Nova Energy recognised that the PLAN.IT solution not only meets, but actually exceeds, the regulatory requirements, doing so in a way which minimises the time spent on red-tape and menial tasks.

“The National Code of Practice for Utility Operators Access to Transport Corridors came into effect on 1 January this year and our experience to date is very few contractors have noticed any difference in the way business and councils are managing work in and around the road and utilities,” says Nova Energy technical manager Craig Muirhead.

“Not only does the PLAN.IT software solution provide valuable information to the community, contractors and customers but it enables our team to work more efficiently and effectively with councils.”

www.localgovt.co.nz

ENDS

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