Getting power to a new shed, pump or house site on a rural block takes two trades: someone to dig the trench, and a licensed electrician to lay the cable, connect it and sign it off. Here’s how the job runs from start to finish, what it involves, and how to avoid paying for the same trench twice.
The short version: plan the route, check for buried services, dig the trench, lay conduit and cable, get it inspected before backfill, then connect and certify. When the earthmover and the electrician are on the same crew, it all happens in one visit.
Step 1: Plan the route
Start by walking the line from the power source to where the power needs to go. That source is usually your main switchboard, a meter box or a pole on your boundary. A good route:
- Is as short and straight as practical, since cable is priced by the metre
- Stays clear of where trucks will drive, tanks will sit and future buildings will go
- Avoids rock outcrops, big tree roots and wet gullies
- Can share the trench with water or data if you plan ahead
Your electrician works out the cable size from the length of the run and the load you need at the end of it. A long run to a workshop with a welder needs a heavier cable than a short run to a lighting circuit, so tell them what you plan to plug in.
Step 2: Check what’s already in the ground
Before anyone digs, lodge a free enquiry with Before You Dig Australia (BYDA). Network owners send back plans showing their cables and pipes near your dig site.
Watch out for private services. BYDA plans show network assets. Private services, such as an old cable to a pump, an irrigation line or a pipe the previous owner put in, usually won’t appear on them. If you’re unsure what’s on your block, ask around and dig carefully near anything suspicious.
Step 3: Dig the trench
This is where the earthmover comes in. For most rural runs we use the Positrack with a 1200 mm trencher and 350 mm chain. It cuts a clean, narrow trench quickly and makes backfilling simple. For rocky ground or wider trenches, the 5.8 tonne excavator does the job.
How deep the trench goes depends on the wiring system your electrician chooses and where it runs, and the Australian wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000) set the minimum cover. Runs under driveways and vehicle areas need extra depth or protection. Your electrician confirms the depth before we start, so the trench only gets dug once.
Step 4: Lay the conduit, cable and warning tape
The electrician lays the cable in conduit, with orange electrical warning tape above it in the trench. Anyone who digs there in future finds the tape before they find the cable. If water or data share the trench, they’re kept apart from the power cable.
Step 5: Inspect, then backfill
The electrician checks the installation before the trench is closed. Then we backfill, compact over the trench so it doesn’t sink, and tidy the surface.
Step 6: Connect and certify
Your electrician makes the final connections at both ends, tests the circuit and issues the certificate of testing and safety. If the job is a brand new connection to the network, there’s one more step.
New connections with Ergon Energy
For a new house site or a new supply point, someone has to apply to Ergon Energy for the connection. You can do it yourself through Ergon’s Customer Self Service portal, or your electrical contractor can apply through Ergon’s Electrical Partners Portal. From there:
- Ergon classes the application as Basic or Negotiated, depending on how complex it is
- You accept the connection offer
- You choose an electricity retailer, and the contractor submits the Electrical Work Request
- Ergon connects the premises, and the metering provider installs the meter
Ergon’s published target for completing a rural connection is 10 business days once all the paperwork is in. More complex jobs take longer, so apply early. If you’re building a house, this should happen well before lock-up.
What does it cost?
Every run is different, so we quote each one. The main factors are:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Length of the run | More trench, more conduit and more cable |
| Cable size | Heavier loads and longer runs need bigger, dearer cable |
| Ground conditions | Rock slows the trencher and may need the excavator |
| Crossings | Driveways and tracks need extra depth or protection |
| What’s at the end | A light and a power point is simpler than a full sub-board |
For the digging side, the Positrack with trencher is $165 per hour with an operator, and small jobs start from $660 + GST for a 4-hour minimum, travel included.
Why one crew beats two
On most rural jobs, the earthmover digs the trench and leaves, then the electrician turns up days later. If the depth is wrong or the route changes, somebody comes back. When the same crew digs and wires, the trench is dug to the right spec the first time, the cable goes in the same day, and the trench is closed before the next storm fills it with mud.
That’s how we work. Our licensed electricians (Qld Lic. 92899) travel with the machines, so pads, driveways, trenching and power can all be done in one booking.
Next step: see what our electrical team does on rural blocks, or send us the route and what you need powered for a fixed written quote. Planning a new build? Read our site prep checklist first.
Want real numbers for your job?
Grab the free South Burnett price guide, or send us a few photos and get a fixed written quote. We reply within 2 business hours.
