The 2013 National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) National Excellence Awards have proved to be one of the most competitive to date.

Members from all levels of the electrotechnology industries have come together to celebrate excellence in Australia.

Over the past few months, each NECA State chapter has issued Excellence awards across 10 categories. Last night, judges announced the winners of 10 National Excellence awards across the same categories, using the State winners as nominees.

In 2013, the winners are:

Category 1 – Domestic Residence

PBE Insurelec (VIC)

Three-storey domestic dwelling

This three-storey dwelling in Victoria features a first-class installation with all aspects of a modern home embracing environmental and energy savings.

PBE Insurelec designed and developed the technical and innovative requirements and managed the many changes in line with the structure modifications.

The C-Bus system was well designed and included numerous touch screens for the specialised lighting and theatre features. The quality of the installation was excellent with the company using a well designed check system to ensure a top class finish to all facets of the project.

Category 2 – Small Contracting Business

Fibre Optics Design and Construct (NSW)

Sydney Harbour Bridge communications network upgrade

In completing this project, FODC demonstrated good client liaison, recording and reporting, resulting in a successful project within budget and program limits.

Older technologies were upgraded to allow for future requirements. And, an audit of existing cabling, as well as proposed new materials for rodent and corrosion protection, were important to the success of this project.

Overall, the project enabled efficiency in vehicular traffic flow resulting in economic benefits. It was a complex project for traffic management communications systems with complicated logistics and project planning.

Category 3 – Energy Efficiency and Environment

Stowe Australia (QLD)

Sir Samuel Griffith Centre

The Sir Samuel Griffith Centre features a well-coordinated solution despite the project’s complexities – resulting in a 6-star energy efficiency rating. While the system was designed by others, Stowe’s duty was to ensure equipment compatibility and compliance for the effective installation and operation of the solar and hydrogen system. A 100% self-sufficient load demonstrates optimum efficiency/environmental attributes.

QA procedures ensured compliance with Australian standards and proper WH&S methods were in place. Overall, this project properly encapsulates the principles of energy efficiency with resultant advantages to the environment.

Category 4 – Work Health and Safety

Blue Star (QLD)

Company Nomination

Blue Star from Queensland developed and implemented a WH&S program, which included a pre-start checklist, a ‘Bluestart’ risk assessment including risk matrix and a comprehensive incident report.

On the Harvest Fresh Cuts project there was considerable consultation and communication with numerous other contractors, including the builder and the client and there was zero injury lost time. It was a great outcome for all concerned.

Category 5 – Industrial Small Project

Stowe Australia (QLD)

Abbot Point Water Augmentation

This project was well run with resources needing to be carefully planned to counter for the influence of poor weather conditions. While the program of works was expanded from four to 10 months, weekly progress reports and site visits by senior management resulted in the actual works being completed within the originally scheduled hours.

The complexities of this project included works associated with the storm water return dam, sediment pond and the chemical dosing plant, incorporating HV and LV cabling and terminations, a new transformer, motor control panels, general lighting, power and control cabling. In addition, during the installation a significant design and installation change was required, resulting in the relocation of a major feeder panel and associated cabling. Further challenges were associated with all works being carried out within stringently restricted shut down times, to facilitate the continued operation of the plant.

Overall this project was of a very demanding nature within a tight time frame in inclement weather. The complexities of the installation were challenging and despite a late requirement for a significant design/installation change, the project was completed within the originally scheduled hours. 

Category 6 – Industrial Large Project

ECM (WA)

T155 Anderson Point port expansion

The scope of work undertaken by ECM for this project was very extensive and complex, requiring a high degree of technical competence and management skills. The organisational skills required to manage the various stages and man power requirements appears to have been carried out very successfully and obviously the satisfaction of the client was gained and maintained.

Working to a tight construction program created problems which needed to be managed and controlled. Analysing, reviewing and completing the design also required a major technical input.

In being awarded and successfully completing the above packages ECM undertook in excess of 750,000 man-hours of work on the project and completed all electrical, instrumentation, controls and communications works associated with the T155 Port expansion project.

Category 7 – Voice/Data

O’Donnell Griffin (ACT)

DHS Primary Production Connectivity Project

Category 8 – Commercial Small Project

RCR ODonnell Griffin (SA)

Charlie’s Bar

This project included a great level of attention to detail; the exacting parameters of an installation within a high quality hotel are very demanding.

The complex control and intricate installation details are acknowledged. The quality, resource and cost control, along with the technical innovations employed, have resulted in a successful and commendable project.

Category 9 – Commercial Medium Project

PSG (TAS)

Devonport Homemakers’ Centre/Fairbrother

The Pacific Services Group was named the successful contractor for the design and construction of the electrical services at the new Homemakers’ Complex in Devonport, Tasmania.

The development included the construction of two major retail tenancies, Harvey Norman and K&D Hardware, amd five small tenancies including Ray’s Outdoors, Shiploads, Sleep Zone and a petrol station complex housing two national food chain stores and a convenience store.  

The development embraces an electrical installation that consists of innovative design, modern energy efficient lighting and optimised power reticulation system which required a high level of continuous technical and design consideration throughout the construction period. The energy efficient design of the Devonport Homemakers’ Complex optimises the use of natural lighting integrated with the use of Green Star energy efficient lighting and power management. Built into each National Retail Tenancy is the design concept to achieve the maximum possible Green Star rating for retail department stores.  

The management of the workforce was very successful with no lost time injuries reported in 15,000 site hours.

Category 10 – Commercial Large Project

Star Group (NSW)

Royal North Shore Hospital Redevelopment

The complexities of hospitals, incorporating both the technical aspects and user group requirements, cannot be overstated. This project was made more complex by the client’s acceptance of an alternative design for the building. On this existing site, the decanting of many hospital departments to temporary facilities, to enable the project to commence, was an added complexity. Star Group have delivered a first class electrical facility from design through to completion using best practice design, management and installation techniques.

Given total design responsibility for the electrical services, Star employed an electrical consultant to provide technical support and design input to assist the in-house design resources. The scope of work included high voltage reticulation, high voltage private substations, SCADA automated switching control systems, low voltage reticulation and switchboards, external and specialist lighting, emergency lighting, C-Bus lighting control, general power, medical services pendants, UPS, master clock system, installation of communications systems with diverse redundant pathways, Cat 6A structured cabling system, wireless access points, MATV, mobile phone and critical radio network antenna systems, security systems, nurse and patient call systems and integration with existing systems. Major tasks included the decanting of the site prior to construction and the installation of the high voltage sub-mains and equipment.

All work was carried out in an existing and operational hospital. The reticulation of the external HV sub-mains around provided a huge co-ordination challenge, with liaison required with Ausgrid, local council, Sydney Water, Roads and Traffic Authority and the landscape architect. Avoidance of other in-ground live services was essential. Star carried out the Level 3 and Level 1 design and installation of a redundant high voltage utility supply network. 

TWO COMMENDATIONS

Category 6 – Industrial Large Project
Pacific Services Group (Tasmania)
Dry Powder Milk Plant Smithton/Tasmanian Dairy Products

Category 7 – Voice Data
MIMP Connecting Solutions (SA)
530km Microwave Network for MCJV Australia Pacific LNG Project