Ground Penetrating Radar Sydney
Ground penetrating radar finds what is under your site without digging it up. Locate & Map runs GPR across Sydney for two jobs: locating buried services in soil, and scanning inside concrete before anyone cuts into it. Both are non-destructive, and both give you a result the same day the crew is on site.
Start with a FREE Consultation
How GPR Works
GPR antenna sends a radar pulse into the ground or the slab. When that pulse hits something with different electrical properties, part of it bounces back. The unit records the return, and our operator reads the pattern to identify what caused it.
Two points matter for anyone specifying GPR.
It does not need metal. Electromagnetic locating relies on a conductive path. That works well for cables and metal pipe, and it fails on PVC water mains, fibre conduit, clay sewer and plastic gas. GPR sees those, because it responds to a change in material rather than a metal signature.
It shows more than services. The same return that reveals a pipe also reveals voids, cracks, backfill trenches, changes in soil density and buried structures such as tanks and old slabs. On sites with a long history, that context often matters as much as the services themselves.
We pair GPR with electromagnetic induction on most jobs. Each method covers the other’s blind spots.
Depth, Soil and What Radar Cannot Do
Radar performance is set by two things: the antenna you choose, and the ground you point it at.
Lower frequency antennas reach deeper but return less detail. Higher frequency antennas resolve fine detail, such as rebar spacing in a slab, but do not travel as far. Our operators select the antenna against the target, which is why we ask what you are looking for before we quote.
Ground conditions do the rest. Radar travels well through dry, sandy and sandstone-derived soils. It attenuates quickly in conductive material, which means clay-heavy ground and saturated soil cut penetration down. Parts of western Sydney sit on clay-rich profiles, and after sustained rain the same site can return a weaker result than it did in a dry month.
GPR also cannot always tell you what an anomaly is. A tree root, a rock and a plastic conduit can present in similar ways. Dense utility corridors can stack returns on top of each other. This is why an experienced operator matters more than the equipment, and why we record our confidence level against every target rather than presenting radar as certainty.
If your project needs proof rather than probability, the service has to be exposed. That is Quality Level A work under AS 5488.
AS 5488 Quality Level B
Under AS 5488, geophysical detection using GPR and electromagnetic locators produces Quality Level B data. The standard sets QL-B tolerance at 300 mm horizontal and 500 mm vertical, and it requires metadata: the detection method used, the equipment, the survey date, and operator qualifications.
QL-B is the working standard for most excavation and design work in NSW. It is what Safe Work Method Statements typically call for before trenching, test pitting or boring begins. Working from QL-D records alone, meaning BYDA plans with no field verification, does not meet that bar.
Every GPR job we run is issued at QL-B with the metadata attached, and the outputs feed straight into our utility mapping deliverables in 12d, DWG, PDF and 3D.
GPR in the Ground
Outdoor utility detection is the larger half of our GPR work. Typical targets:
- Water, sewer and stormwater, including non-metallic pipe
- Gas mains and high pressure oil and gas lines
- Electrical and high voltage cabling
- Fibre optic and telecommunications conduit
- Buried tanks, pits, concrete encasements and abandoned services
Marks go on the ground, positions get surveyed, and the data comes back to our drafters. If you only need the site marked for a dig, we can stop there. If you need the site documented, our utility locating and drafting teams take it through to a plan.
We turn 10 years old this year!
We’re turning 10 years old this July and there’s never been a better time to see what we’re all about. Watch our video to discover how Locate & Map can support your project from start to finish. With a decade of experience behind us, you can trust us to get it right the first time.
Ceritified Locators
At Locate & Map, all our locator surveyors are CertLoc accredited (previously known as BYDA accreditation), ensuring they meet the highest industry standards for locating underground utilities.
This certification means our team is trained, tested, and qualified to work safely and accurately across a wide range of project types. Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or infrastructure work, you can trust that our locators use best-practice techniques, follow all relevant guidelines, and are equipped with the latest technology to get the job done right.
When you work with Locate & Map, you’re not just hiring a locator — you’re working with certified professionals who are committed to delivering clear, precise results every time.
24Hr Service
At Locate & Map, we understand that time-sensitive projects don’t always fit into a 9–5 schedule. That’s why we offer a reliable 24 hour service, working day and night to support your needs and minimise disruption on site.
Whether it’s an emergency locate, night works, or a tight construction timeline, our team is ready to respond quickly and safely. We coordinate closely with our clients and contractors to ensure all work is carried out with care, precision and full compliance — no matter the hour.
With a strong focus on safety and communication, you can trust Locate & Map to deliver dependable service when you need it most.
Professional Reports
At Locate & Map, we provide detailed and accurate reports tailored to your project requirements. Our deliverables are available in 12d, DWG, and PDF formats, making them easy to integrate into your existing workflows — whether you’re an engineer, surveyor, architect or project manager.
Every report is prepared by experienced professionals to ensure clarity, precision, and compatibility with industry-standard software. No matter your field, we’ll make sure you receive the data you need in the format you prefer.
Cost Effective
With over a decade of industry experience, Locate & Map knows how to keep your project running on time and within budget. Our streamlined processes, skilled team, and accurate data help reduce costly delays, design changes, and safety risks on site.
By identifying underground utilities correctly the first time, we help you avoid unnecessary surprises and rework — saving both time and money. When you partner with Locate & Map, you’re investing in efficiency, accuracy, and long-term value.
GPR in Concrete
The same technology, at a higher frequency, looks inside slabs, walls, columns and decks. Before a core, a cut or a drill, GPR shows the reinforcement and services in the way.
That work is covered in detail on our concrete scanning page. The short version: post-tension cables, rebar, mesh, conduit and voids, imaged in real time, marked on the surface before anyone touches the concrete.
Why Sydney Contractors Use Locate & Map
- CertLoc accredited locator surveyors, previously known as BYDA accreditation
- More than a decade of Sydney sites, from domestic works to major infrastructure
- GPR and electromagnetic locating run together, not sold separately
- 24 hour service for night works, shutdowns and short-notice programs
- In-house drafting, so field data becomes a usable plan without a third-party handover
Client Testimonials
We had a great experience with Locate and Map. Their service was professional, efficient, and very helpful throughout the entire process.
The team was easy to communicate with, always willing to assist, and went the extra mile to make sure everything was done right.
Highly recommend them – truly a great company to work with!
Wow, Locate and Map are a pleasure to work with. They are very professional and always respectful. They do a fantastic job all-round and have been a pleasure to work with and for.
I would recommend them to anyone requiring locating survey or utility services.
Locate & Map is an outstanding local company that truly walks the talk when it comes to supporting community. Whether it’s sponsoring local carols or backing junior sports teams, they never miss an opportunity to get behind our community. Always willing to answer the call and help the next generation thrive — we’re so grateful for their ongoing support!
Sydney Service Areas
We run GPR across Sydney Metro and the surrounding regions:
GPR scanning Sydney | GPR Parramatta | GPR Penrith | GPR Liverpool | GPR Blacktown | GPR Bankstown | GPR Campbelltown | GPR Chatswood | GPR Manly
Book a GPR Scan in Sydney
Tell us the site and what you need found, and we will match the antenna, the method and the crew to it. Call (02) 8753 0049 or use our contact page.
Locate & Map. 201/49 Queens Rd, Five Dock NSW 2046.