1995

Underground Envirotech Australia – now known simply as UEA – was established in Goulburn to provide trenchless installations for utility companies in the southern region of NSW and the ACT. ActewAGL and Telstra are among the first clients to utilise the technology for electrical upgrades, sewer renovations and new communications networks. UEA’s TT 10S Grundodrill is the first HDD rig of its kind to work in the ACT and surrounding areas.

On the back of the telecommunications boom, UEA grows from the initial 3 employees to over 70 personnel. Backed by a fleet of Vermeer HDD rigs UEA enters the rock drilling market with a D50 x 100 supported by a DFE cleaning system.

1998

2000

UEA capitalises on its strength within the utilities sector and increases its market share in the Greater Sydney area – in particular the electricity market. By the year 2000 offices are open in Sydney and Canberra, servicing a large part of NSW and the ACT.

Once established in Sydney, UEA’s commitment to high quality work and innovative approaches opens up opportunities to become a panel contractor in the electrical market with Endeavour Energy and other major civil contractors. Further diversification into other infrastructure sectors, such as water, waste water and sewer quickly follow.
2000 to 2007

2000
2007

2008

UEA move into the maxi rig market with the purchase of a 300,000 pound HDD rig a Vermeer D300 x 500. Projects become more complex, bores longer and pipes bigger.

UEA wins the ASTT New installation of the year award for the Brighmore Park Project – 1,403 metres of 500mm PE on grade. This success paves the way for a long-term relationship with Sydney Water and its contractors eventually delivering in excess of $60 million of projects.

2010

2011

UEA installs, what was at the time, the largest PE pipe in Australia – a 1,200mm pipe – as part of the Mardi Mangrove project.
UEA successfully completes its first ocean outfall HDD on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, NSW. This paves the way for multiple installations across the country over the next 5 years.

2016

2016

UEA takes delivery of a new 330 tonne Gallagher HDD rig as well as significant support equipment as the company begins to focus on larger more complex projects.
An additional Vermeer D330 x 500 is added to the UEA Maxi Rig Fleet to further cement UEA’s position in the market. UEA is now recognised as an industry leader with the ability to successfully deliver significant projects around Australia.

2017

2018
2021

UEA focusses on its core business, HDD, during this period. Continual improvement to our techniques, operator training and education backed up by industry leading HSEQ solutions ensure we continue to lead the way in the industry.

UEA adds a new Herrenknecht 250C HDD rig to its growing list of maxi rig spreads to meet growing demand for larger and longer HDD installations throughout Australia.

2022

2023

A second Herrenknecht 250C and another DFE cleaning system is acquired to meet the increased demand for maxi rig services. The rig is put to work immediately on what was UEA’s largest ever contract at the time – Port Kembla Gas Installation for Nacap.