Friday 16 July

Top Victorian electricians honoured

Today, the best of Victoria’s talented and committed workers in the electrotechnology industry were recognised at the annual Excellence Awards hosted by peak industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

The 2010 NECA Excellence Awards is an opportunity for the industry to officially recognise the talent and achievements of electrical and communication contractors in Victoria.

Ten companies received the top state award in front over 600 industry representatives including contractors, educators and government representatives at the pinnacle showcase of the electrical and communications industry at Crown Casino.

Chief executive officer of NECA’s Victoria chapter, Mr Philip Green, said the winning ten companies were chosen because of their commitment to excellence, significant engineering achievements and importantly finishing the complex jobs on time and in budget.

“The projects that the winning companies completed were just phenomenal,” Mr Green said.

“As the electrotechnology industry continues to grow and tackle new technological challenges, it is encouraging to see that Victorian electrical and communication contractors are leading the country in everything from occupational health and safety through to energy efficiency and the wiring of smart homes.”

The winning companies and their projects are listed below:

Category 1 – Domestic Residence

A single residence project in the domestic sector where the applicant’s contract value is less than $1 million.

Winner: Urban Intelligence

Project: Private Residence in Malvern

Why: This project had outstanding technologies in all aspects associated with a domestic residence, enabling Urban Intelligence to display their abilities with design and installation, producing an achievement well above the normal standard.

Category 2 – Small Contracting Business

A small contractor, employing less than 10 technical employees, demonstrating a wide range of skills.

Winner: New Wave Electrical Contractors

Project: Royan Truck & Trailer Repairs

Why: New Wave Electrical designed and installed electrical and communications for factory and offices for Royan Truck and Trailer Repairs, where energy management was an important factor.

Category 3 – Environment and Energy Efficiency

A project where the design, product selection, lighting, processes or technologies are considered to preserve a site’s natural environment and/or to create an energy efficient and sustainable installation.

Winner: Corke Instrument Engineering (Aust) Pty Ltd

Project: Bogong Hydro Power Station

Why: This project was a 140 MW hydro power station with high and low voltage and associated controls, with high voltage cabling installed under the East Kiewa River

Category 4 – Occupational Health and Safety

A business, individual or project that has demonstrated commitment to achieving an optimal occupational health and safety environment.

Winner: Nilsen (Vic) Pty Ltd

Project: Development of OH&S Policy

Why: Senior management of Nilsen were keen to improve the safety performance of the company and ensure the active participation of employees from all levels of the organisation in the process. To achieve this goal the company embarked on a program to achieve a sustainable OHS cultural change.

Category 5 – Industrial Project

An industrial project which may include, but is not limited to, undertakings of a civil, mining, high voltage, manufacturing or process nature.

Winner: Downer EDI Engineering Electrical

Project: Iona Gas Plant

Why: The Iona Gas Plant Low Operating Pressure System which is located at Port Campbell, can provide gas to both Melbourne and Adelaide and is also capable of storing excess gas in its underground wells. As this project was a hazardous installation, special requirements to comply with the cabling lighting and earthing protection were necessary and Downer EDI excelled in this area.

Category 6 – Voice/Data – Small Project

A voice or data project where the applicant’s contract value is less than $500,000.

Winner: Newscom

Project: VicUrban

Why: Newscom handled a difficult contract due to the heritage rating of the former Victorian Railways No. 2 Goods Shed. The installation of the latest structured cabling technology of Panduit Category 6A MaTrix is the first installation of such cabling in Australia.

Category 7 – Voice/Data – Large Project

A voice or data project where the applicant’s contract value is greater than $500,000.

Winner: Stowe Australia Pty Ltd

Project: ANZ Headquarters

Why: Stowe took on the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the entire communications infrastructure for voice, data and audio visual cabling for the new ANZ Bank Headquarters in Melbourne’s Docklands. In just 21 months, Stowe laid over 3 million meters of systimax category 6A cable to some 38,000 datapoints including 7000 for Audio Visual.

Category 8 – Commercial – Small Project

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is less than $500,000.

Winner: Fire Solutions

Project: Reserve Bank of Australia

Why: Fire Solutions handled a difficult contract replacing an existing fire system with new panels and new emergency warning systems. The panels and various other systems in this unique building made the project challenging.

Category 9 – Commercial – Medium Project

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is more than $500,000 and less than $2 million.

Winner: Downer EDI Engineering Electrical Pty Ltd

Project: National Ice Sports Centre – Icehouse

Why: Downer EDI designed, installed and commissioned the electrical and communications systems for the National Ice Sports Centre. This required innovative methods for lighting requirements over two special ice rinks and this included the design of a method for lamp changing.

Category 10 – Commercial – Large Project

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is greater than $2 million.

Winner: KLM Group

Project: South Wharf Development

Why: The new South Wharf development is a $350 million project comprising a 150,000 square metres mixed use building. The KLM Group were engaged to construct a complete electrical services solution covering power, lighting, C-Bus lighting, energy management, communications and MATV system for the entire complex.

-ENDS- 

NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au

Media Enquiries:

Dominic Feenan – NECA Media and Communications Manager - 02 9439 8523 / 0457 767 328