The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has announced the appointment of respected industry identity Mick Logan as Executive Director, Queensland. [ + ]

NBN Co has just installed the first fibre-optic cable in the Sydney metropolitan area. The fibre, laid in Blacktown, is part of the widespread rollout of the National Broadband Network. The local distribution fibre, which links the Blacktown exchange to homes and businesses throughout the local area, was hauled on the corner of Main Street and Marcel Crescent. [ + ]

The company building Australia’s National Broadband Network, NBN Co, has unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be lodged to deliver high-speed fixed wireless broadband. [ + ]

The number of 457 visas granted in 2012 increased by 57%, despite job losses and a downturn in the local economy, the CFMEU has said. [ + ]

Rockwell Automation has extended its support of the global FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program to Australia and New Zealand. This will open up new opportunities for school students aspiring to become engineers. [ + ]

It’s unfortunate that many of the chemicals that we use every day have also been used in terrorist attacks around the world, such as those in Bali, London, Mumbai and more recently in Oslo. In a bid to detect and prevent the use of chemicals in terrorist attacks, the Australian Attorney-General’s department is seeking feedback on the draft National Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern. [ + ]

Lying in his tent in the middle of the Papua New Guinea jungle, Club Clipsal member Rob Beech, of Robert Beech Electrical, SA, was settling into his sleeping bag after a long day travelling when he heard a surprisingly beautiful sound coming from the camp site ... [ + ]

Over the Wire has completed the purchase of an additional data centre in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, expanding its data centre capacity by 120 racks. [ + ]

Adlink Technology announced that Test & Measurement World has named its PXIe-9848 8-CH 14-bit 100 MS/s high-speed PXI Express digitiser as a finalist in the Best in Test Awards competition. The Best in Test Product Awards honour important and innovative new products and services in the electronics test and measurement industry. [ + ]

The annual Rockwell Automation Software Technical Education (RSTechED) conference will return to Melbourne in 2013, bringing together software technical experts, system integrators, machine builders and end users at the St Kilda Novotel from 20-22 February. [ + ]

Hager B&R is encouraged by the industry’s response so far, to the recall of a range of its RCBO circuit breakers, although ongoing cooperation throughout the industry will be vital. [ + ]

Schneider Electric has entered into an agreement with Bechtel for the supply of an electrical control and distribution network solution, designed to run and monitor critical equipment, for the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project in Western Australia. The contract value is estimated at AU$189 million. [ + ]

NBN Co slightly exceeded its target to have construction commenced or completed in areas covering 758,000 premises before the end of 2012. The total number of premises in areas where construction had commenced or was completed was 784,592 by year end. [ + ]

The global installed base of advanced (communicating) electricity meters is expected to double by 2016, according to a new study from IMS Research. [ + ]

NMIT has been selected to trial a new electrical apprenticeship program in 2013, offering individuals the chance to complete their apprenticeship when deemed competent. [ + ]