South Australia's best electrical and communications contractors named

The South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre provided electrical and communications contractor, Security Electrical Solutions with some significant challenges including installing cables and security cameras using a 28 metre boom lift to access some of the areas above the new pool facilities. This project was one of eight projects completed by the State's best electrical and communications contractors, whose achievements were recognised at the National Electrical and Communications Associations (NECA) Awards of Excellence, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre last week.

Other projects included the d’VineRipe Power Plant Upgrade, Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary Microwave Link, the PPP Super Schools SA, Elizabeth GP Plus Health Care Centre and the Health Workforce Australia offices on King William Street. The Awards also recognised three of the industry’s top apprentices for their outstanding achievements in their chosen career.

Before the winners of the NECA Excellence Awards and Apprentice Awards programmes were announced, independent member of the Legislative Council, John Darley MLC, set the tone when he addressed an audience of some 420 guests, industry representatives and NECA members. Darley MLC spoke on the non-payment of government contracts and the progress of the long awaited and the highly controversial Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Legislation Bill 2009.

The NECA Excellence Awards give small and large electrical and communications businesses the opportunity to continually raise the bar for their industry and receive accolades in front of their peers. The winners are now automatically eligible for the National Excellence Awards, which will be announced in Melbourne on 24 November 2011.

The NECA Apprentice Awards recognise the State’s best electrical and communications apprentices. Applicants are assessed on their technical abilities, general knowledge, attitude and desire to succeed. This year's winners will represent South Australia at the national level where they will be competing for the title of the NECA Apprentice of the Year Award, in addition to many valuable prizes and the chance to become an ambassador for the Australian electrotechnology industry. Larry Moore, chief executive officer of NECA South Australia, said, “What we are seeing year-on-year is a constant raising of the bar by our members. This year is no exception. There is innovation, quality workmanship, health and safety achievements and excellent examples of how good communication and project management add up to a job well done.”

Winners of the 2011 NECA Excellence Awards and their projects are:

Small contracting business
Winner: Power and Drive Solutions - d’VineRipe Power Plant
Power and Drive Solutions won the contract to upgrade the power generation plant including the new power house, generators, control system, distribution and mains integration. The key objective was to install natural gas generation to run in parallel with the utility network, if required. The seamless transition of services to the new generators required a high level of skill and planning to ensure power was maintained to the site at all times, as even a 15 minute loss of power can cause millions of dollars of damage to crops.

Environment and energy efficiency
Winner: MIMP Connecting Solutions - Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
The brief to MIMP Connecting Solutions was to deliver a cost-effective low impact communication solution to link the Zoo's three main sites. MIMP designed and installed a high capacity licenced microwave link providing a low cost '32 MB full duplex' between the sites, with minimal ongoing costs. In fact the Aviat microwave uses less power than a 40 watt light bulb. Special tree mounts were designed and outdoor cabling was used, effectively hiding the microwave hardware within the tree canopy.

Occupational health and safety (OHS)
Winner: PSG Boffa Russo - OHS management system implementation
With the implementation of an advanced national intranet-based management system, documentation is now easily accessible, giving employees better direction in relation to their jobs and projects. This includes worker induction and training records, consultation, policy and procedures, licensing records, and plant usage and maintenance systems. The commitment to ongoing improvement and change is already meeting with success, as measurable results have been identified in the reduction of LTI’s, and increases in the reporting of near misses.

Industrial - Large project
Winner: O’Donnell Griffin - Glenside Power Cooling and Support Capacity upgrade
This was a complex and logistically challenging project. Challenges included a short time frame, high level security, inclement weather and dust and vibration control in critical areas. The data centre had to remain operating throughout the upgrade, requiring installations and upgrades to be quick and seamless. This was successfully achieved by detailed planning, high level risk management and close integration with building management systems.

Voice and Data
Winner: Security Electrical Solutions - SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre
SES were contracted for the design, supply and installation of a high level integrated access and visual security system, incorporating 100 cameras and access security throughout the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The project began as a basic job with 49 analogue cameras and door access controls, but the scope grew significantly to meet the client’s demand for a high quality surveillance system which also incorporated facial recognition.

Commercial - Small project (less than $500,000)
Winner: Niramar - Health Workforce Australia
Niramar were initially invited on site to provide advice, but were then contracted to provide a full scope of services. This included new lighting, daylight controlled lighting systems, automated blind and window control systems, UPS system, coordination of security and access control systems and voice and data systems. Coming onto the project at a late stage, required skillful planning and coordination.

Commercial - Medium project (between $500,000-$1,000,000)
Winner: Niramar - Elizabeth GP Plus Health Care Centre
The scope of works required the transformation of an existing car-park into the 'crown of SA Health'. Niramar’s involvement included a comprehensive schedule of electrical works, external security and car-park lighting and specialised medical power accessories for consulting rooms to comply with Australian standards for 'body protected' zones. Niramar’s skill set, ability and commitment to continuous improvement was evidenced by their work on this job.

Commercial - Large project (over $1,000,000)
Winner: PSG Boffa Russo - PPP Super Schools Project SA
The brief from the SA Government was to deliver six 'Super Schools' in various locations in Adelaide, with a total of 76 buildings across the six sites. PSG Boffa Russo were awarded the comprehensive electrical works for this large project . Challenges included tight time frames, deadlines and penalties set by the client and builder. PSG Boffa Russo were also involved in the design phase of the project. This allowed them to implement cost saving initiatives, such as using aluminium underground sub-main cabling rather than copper, saving the client in excess of half a million dollars.