23 YEARS · CERTLOC · NULCA · AS 5488
Spatial intelligence for existing site conditions.
Above and below ground.
Orbital is a Brisbane-based spatial-intelligence specialist. 23 years locating in South East Queensland. CERTLOC certified. NULCA member. AS 5488-aligned across QL-A, QL-B, QL-C and QL-D. In strategic alliance with Vac2U for non-destructive excavation.
Credentials & Alliance
What we deliver
Three pillars. Six capabilities. One coordinated deliverable.
Above ground and below ground spatial intelligence, captured to AS 5488 quality levels and packaged in the formats your design team, BIM coordinators and asset records actually need.
Underground service locating
Dual-method EMF + GPR locating to AS 5488 quality levels. Radiodetection RD8100M and RD1500 GPR. CERTLOC certified locators, NULCA member, 23 years across SEQ soils.
Vacuum excavation alliance
Non-destructive QL-A verification through our Vac2U strategic alliance. Loganholme-based, covers Brisbane / Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast / Northern NSW. One project lead, two specialists.
CCTV pipe inspection
WSAA-compliant CCTV with Wincan-compatible reporting to council submission format. Built around build-over applications, asset documentation and capital-works defect surveys.
Topographic survey
GNSS RTK and total station to GDA2020 Zone 56. Surface levels, contour modelling, feature pickups — recorded against the same spatial framework as the underground services.
Drone capture & reality modelling
Visible-light drone capture for orthomosaic, point cloud and textured 3D mesh, supported by GNSS RTK and total station geometry capture for survey-grade ground control and feature accuracy.
CAD & spatial deliverables
DWG + PDF CAD layered to your spec. Point cloud (.las / .laz / .ply / .pcd / .s3mb). 3D mesh (.osgb / .obj / .fbx / .i3s / .s3md / .ply). Output specified for Bentley, Autodesk, Esri and SuperMap workflows.
How we work
From brief to deliverable in three coordinated steps
Same disciplined approach whether the brief is a residential pre-locate or a fifty-hectare brownfield SUE assignment.
1. Scope
Send us the site address and the brief. We return a fixed-price quote, the AS 5488 quality-level mix we recommend per service, and a clear scope for any Vac2U coordination. Most projects in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast are scoped within 48 hours.
2. Locate & capture
On-site work. Dual-method EMF + GPR for underground services. Total station and GNSS RTK for surface. Drone photogrammetry where the project warrants it. CCTV with WSAA discipline. Vac2U on the truck where QL-A verification is in scope.
3. Deliver
CAD plan (DWG + PDF) layered to your CAD spec. Point cloud and 3D mesh in the formats your BIM lead needs. Wincan-compatible CCTV report for any pipe inspection scope. AS 5488 cover sheet specifying quality levels per feature. The deliverable is the product.
FAQS
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what engineering consultants, civil contractors, builders and asset owners ask before engaging us.
What’s the difference between QL-A, QL-B, QL-C and QL-D under AS 5488?
QL-D is records review. QL-C is surface survey of visible evidence. QL-B is non-destructive locating with EMF and GPR — that is our standard deliverable. QL-A is physical verification with vacuum excavation — delivered through our Vac2U alliance where the brief calls for it. Quality levels can be mixed per feature on a single job.
How quickly can you mobilise to a site?
Most Brisbane and Redlands jobs are scoped in 24 to 48 hours and mobilised within 2 to 5 business days. Gold Coast, Logan and Ipswich are similar. Sunshine Coast is typically 5 to 7 days. Urgent same-day attendance is sometimes possible depending on crew availability — call us first thing in the day.
Do you do vacuum excavation as well?
Not directly — vacuum excavation is the specialist domain of our strategic alliance partner Vac2U. For any project that needs QL-A verification, we coordinate Vac2U as part of the same deliverable. You get one project lead and one set of documentation. Vac2U is based in Loganholme, on the doorstep of our standing catchment.
What deliverable formats do you provide?
DWG and PDF CAD. Point cloud in .las / .laz / .ply / .pcd / .s3mb. Textured 3D mesh in .osgb / .obj / .fbx / .i3s / .s3md / .ply. Wincan-compatible CCTV reports. Drone orthomosaics where applicable. We deliver in the format specified by your BIM coordinator or engineering consultant — Bentley, Autodesk, Esri or SuperMap.
What areas of South East Queensland do you service?
Standing catchment: Brisbane, Redlands (our Sheldon home base), Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast (including Tweed Heads) and the Sunshine Coast (Caloundra through Noosa). Hinterland and rural-residential areas covered. Northern NSW edge coordinated jointly with Vac2U.
Can you supply locating equipment?
Yes — Orbital is an authorised Radiodetection dealer (RD8100M, LMX200 GPR) and supplies SPX-CCTV cameras. Equipment ships with an orientation session on delivery or over the phone so your operator is productive quickly. Jamie Ware brings 23 years of field experience, including having trained a number of the locators currently working across South East Queensland.
Have a question before sending a brief?
Drop us a line — usually back to you within one business day.
Service locating across South-East Queensland
Orbital provides AS 5488-compliant subsurface utility engineering, vacuum excavation, GPR and CCTV pipe inspection across the region. Same-day mobilisation available.