Leading Victorian electrical and communications contractors were recognised on Friday at the annual electrical industry Excellence Awards hosted by peak Australian industry body the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

Seven companies across nine categories received the top state award in front of over 600 industry representatives including contractors, educators and government representatives at the premier showcase event for Victoria’s electrical and communications industry at Crown Palladium.

NECA Victoria executive director Philip Green says the winning companies were chosen because of their commitment to excellence, significant engineering achievements and importantly finishing the complex jobs on time.

“The electrical and communications contracting firms that have won an award are simply outstanding for what they have achieved during each project,” Philip says.

“NECA received a huge variety of nominations and it is very encouraging to see the quality of work in projects ranging from the wiring of smart homes through to providing the electrical and communications systems for a major new hospital.

“The judging panel were privileged to view such high quality projects and as always, NECA members have played a critical role in some of the largest and most diverse construction jobs in the state.”

The winning companies and their projects are listed below:

Category – Domestic Residence

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

Winner: L+O Technologies Pty Ltd
Project: Private Residence, Balnarring Beach
Why: This outstanding project has features well in excess of those normally applied to a domestic home. L + O Technologies designed and installed IP intercom, IP security, IP phone system plus other state-of-the-art features which can all be controlled by iPad and iPhone from any part of the world.

L + O Technologies company director Damian Merks said, “To be recognised as a winner in our category showcases the hard work, passion and exceptional effort of all our employees associated with this project. We will continue to stay abreast of tomorrow’s technology today, no matter how fast it moves, to ensure our clients always have the best solutions available to them.”

Category – Small Contracting Business

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

Winner: PS E Communication & Electrical
Project: PV Solar System to South Bandiana
Why: The installation of the PV Solar system for the Australian Army at the South Bandiana Defence Base included a total of 71 kw photovoltaic (pv) roof top panels located over five existing buildings. PSE Communication & Electrical carried out the works over a five month period and were faced with a number of challenges during that time which included native vegetation and shadows from adjacent buildings.

PSE communication & electrical managing director Paul Shelley says, “PSE strives to provide professional, sustainable and environmentally sound recommendations when designing PV Solar systems. To be successful in this nomination strengthens and highlights the quality work, knowledge and skill of the PSE team and demonstrates their commitment to a sustainable future.”

Category – Energy Efficiency and Environment

A project where the design, product selection, lighting, processes or technologies have created a sustainable energy efficient installation and/or made a significant contribution of a site’s natural environment

Winner: ADJ Electrical Contractors
Project: Surf Coast Shire Community & Civic Precinct
Why: The environmental design associated with this structure has resulted in the only civic building in regional Victoria to achieve the Green Building Council’s Five Star Green Rating and ADJ Electrical Contractors were major contributors to this achievement.

ADJ Electrical Contractors director David Peirce says, “To be recognised as a NECA award winner, not only reflects the outstanding work performed by ADJ Contractors at Surf Coast, but demonstrates that we are leaders in the field of commercial work here in Victoria and is a true refl ection on the professional work practices of our staff.”

Category – Industrial Project – Small

An industrial project which may include, but is not limited to, undertakings of a civil, mining, high voltage, manufacturing or process nature where the contract value is less than $2 million.

Winner: O’Donnell Griffin Pty Limited
Project: Melbourne Water, Western Treatment Plant. Wet Weather Capacity Upgrade
Why: This project presented special problems due to the extremely corrosive nature of the working atmosphere and difficulties working around an operating plant. O’Donnell Griffin has ensured that the total operation of the plant is now fully controlled at a remote location.

Category – Industrial Project – Large

An industrial project which may include, but is not limited to, undertakings of a civil, mining, high voltage, manufacturing or process nature where the contract value is greater than $2 million .

Winner: O’Donnell Griffin Pty Limited
Project: Eastern Treatment Alliance LV Installation Northern Area – Ozone
Why: This major upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant is at one of the most sophisticated large scale sewage facilities in the world. O’Donnell Griffin has used specialised equipment and systems to create an outstanding plant.

Category – Voice/Data Project

A voice/data communications project of any contract value.

Winner: PSG Victoria
Project: Royal Children’s Hospital
Why: A communications infrastructure package for the Royal Children’s Hospital which is the largest health project undertaken in Victoria. PSG Victoria undertook all des ign and construct activities “in-house” resulting in a landmark building for the people of Victoria.

PSG Victoria manager, communications infrastructure Andrew McNicol says, “Winning this category is a fantastic accolade to every PSG Victoria employee, sub-contractors and supply partners involved in the project. It proves that working together as one can achieve lofty results. Each of the PSG Victoria employees and partners associated with the project have come away with a great sense of pride and achievement having contributed to such a project. Feedback from our client that PSG Victoria were ‘the best contractor that they have ever worked with’ gave us great satisfaction. This award publically acknowledges the brilliant work of the whole team.”

Category – Commercial – Small Project

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is less than $500,00 0.

Winner: LANEC Services Pty Ltd
Project: Parliament of Victoria – Upper Chamber Upgrade
Why: LANEC Services carried out all on-site work within the tight time window of a Parliamentary winter recess of just five weeks to the Upper Chamber of the Victorian Parliament. All works were carried out in conformance with the requirements of a heritage listed building.

LANEC services manager Tony Coppola says, “To be recognised as a winner demonstrates our capabilities to complete complex commercial electrical works as well as deliver excellent data and communications works in Victoria. Due to the age, historical significance of the building, its structure and fittings it meant we had to work closely with Parliament, architects and other trades to develop solutions to achieve the project outcomes. The end result saw us create a series of well planned procedures to complete tasks on time .”

Category – Commercial – Medium Project

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

Winner: Electrical Design & Construct Pty Ltd
Project: Customs Detector Dog Facility
Why: This brand new facility for the rearing and training of detector dogs for the Australian Customs Service entailed electrical services for some 20 buildings. The duration of the project was ten months and all the work was carried out on time by Electrical Design & Construct.

Director of Electrical Design & Construct Stuart Barker says, “To be recognised as a winner in these awards not only acknowledges the high standard of work that Electrical Design & Construct are capable of but also provides validation to our clients that they made the right choice in selecti ng us to carry out the work on this project as well as on future jobs.”

Category – Commercial – Large Project

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

Winner: PSG Victoria
Project: Royal Children’s Hospital
Why: This very prestigious project has it all with the work being carried out by PSG Victoria over some three and a half years. PSG designed, constructed and embraced just about everything electrical and communications. As it is a hospital it has 100 per cent back up system for use if normal power fails. This project, in its entirety, is exceptional.

PSG general manager Tony Ellin says, “For PSG Victoria to be recognised for our performance, and selected as the winner of this award, for the comprehensive design and construct scope on the new Royal Children’s Hospi tal project, is not only a substantial achievement on what we have been able to accomplish, but also provides well deserved recognition for all those within our team for their fantastic efforts throughout the project. This achievement highlights and showcases our ability to deliver in the challenging environment that projects such as this dictate.”