One of Australia’s largest electrical contractors, Nilsen, had various constraints to work around to ensure a successful outcome for all when they took on the electrical contract for the brand new South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), an extremely intricate and complex building, not to mention a real stand out on the Adelaide skyline. 

This project was awarded best overall project out of the eight projects completed by some of the states finest 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 on Friday night (29 August).

Other demanding projects included the Adelaide Oval Redevelopment, Snowtown Wind Farm Stage II, Pelican Point Terminal Fuel Storage Facility, Old Parliament House Refurbishment, Repatriation General Hospital, the Courts Administration Authority Security Systems Upgrade, B.-d. Farm Paris Creek 96kW Grid Connected Solar System, Arkaroola Station High Speed Internet Connection, Flinders University Law & Commerce Building Lighting Upgrade and The Pines Hockey Stadium. The Awards also recognised three of the industry’s top apprentices for their outstanding achievements in their chosen career. (See Apprentice Awards release)

Before the winners of the NECA Excellence Awards and Apprentice Awards programmes were announced, the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, the Honourable Susan Close MP, set the tone for the evening when she addressed an audience of some 400 guests, industry representatives and NECA members. Dr Close spoke about the State Government working alongside industry to foster diversity and resilience based on encouraging innovation and a transition to high-value advanced manufacturing and services.

The MC for the evening, Jason ‘Snowy’ Carter from Adelaide breakfast radio show on Mix 102.3, effortlessly engaged and entertained the guests, whilst Sam Kekovich had the crowd in fits of laughter with his comedic, yet insightful act that reflected on the changes in culture in Australia over the last fifty or so years. The band for the night, ‘Alice and the Wonderlands’, played a perfectly laid-back mix of new and old classics during the meals, before stepping up the pace for dancing at the end of the formalities. 

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.  Winners demonstrated their ability to provide innovative solutions to major challenges and successfully and efficiently complete their project contracts. The winners are now automatically eligible for the National Excellence Awards, which will be announced in Melbourne on 27 November 2014.

The NECA Apprentice Awards recognise the State’s best electrical and communications apprentices.  Applicants were assessed on their technical abilities, general knowledge, attitude and desire to succeed in their career. The winners will now 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.  

Dr Close said: “All South Australians benefit from the successes of the electrical and communication industries and the many highly skilled and specialist employees, trainees, apprentices and businesses that support them.”

“The world-class achievements we have witnessed in this State in the past year such as the landmark SAHMRI building and the Adelaide Oval Redevelopment would simply not have been possible without the skills and dedication that we acknowledge through these annual awards.”

The winners of the 2014 NECA Excellence Awards and their projects are:

Energy Efficiency & Environment
Winner: A.P.E Contractors – B.-d. Farm Paris Creek 96kW Grid Connected Solar System
B.-d. Farm Paris Creek received funding from the government to drastically reduce carbon emissions generated from their production of premium dairy products. A.P.E. Contractors worked closely with another local company - Power & Drive Renewable Solutions - to design and install a 96 kW solar solution.
The system comprised 384, 250 watt solar modules connected to four 22kW inverters. The dome shape roof ran from north-east to south-west, so accurate calculations were done to fit as many modules as possible on the highest solar irradiation yielding parts. Output is monitored via a solarlog monitoring system, while additional current transformers and energy meters, were installed to integrate with the site’s existing energy management software. 

Industrial – Large Project (over $1,000,000)
Equal Winner: Cowell Electric Supply – Snowtown Wind Farm Stage II
Cowell Electric were engaged to construct 28 kilometres of 275 kV Transmission Line for the Snowtown Wind Farm located 150km North of Adelaide, which comprises 90 turbines. The works included the assembly and erection of 30 metre Steel Mono Poles and stringing of the conductor and Optical Ground Wire under tension.
Towards the end of the project, access became difficult due to extremely wet weather in that particular region of South Australia. To maintain the project schedule, Cowell Electric used helicopters to assist with the stringing process in areas of difficult terrain.
Where possible, Cowell Electric made the decision to purchase the needed equipment, to build up their capability and for use on future projects.

Industrial – Large Project (over $1,000,000)
Equal Winner: RCR Infrastructure – O’Donnell Griffin – Pelican Point Terminal Fuel Storage Facility
O’Donnell Griffin were engaged to supply and install the Electrical and Instrumentation Package for a stand-alone terminal at Outer Harbour, South Australia. The scope of works included the electrical reticulation system, hazardous area lighting and power distribution, control wiring, signalling, equipotential bonding & earthing, data telecommunications, fibre optic infrastructure and CCTV system. 
The facility includes a new bulk liquids berth and two pipelines to deliver fuel to the terminal at a rate of 2000 cubic metres an hour. As the majority of the project is classified as a ‘hazardous area’ due to the storage and transfer of flammable and combustible liquid and gases, multiple hazardous area protection techniques were used throughout the project.

Voice and Data – Large Project (over $100,000)
Winner:  RCR Infrastructure – O’Donnell Griffin – Courts Administration Authority Security Systems Upgrade
O’Donnell Griffin were the managing contractor of this project to upgrade the security access, intruder systems and CCTV for the Adelaide Magistrates Court, the Supreme Court, the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court and the Elizabeth Magistrates Court.
In all 202 cameras were installed—along with 17 network switches, 250 duress buttons, 233 intruder devices, 145 access controlled doors and multiple fibre and copper cabling runs.
All the sites are heritage listed, and as operating courts, almost all the work was completed between the hours of 5pm and 3am. In addition, the team had to clean their workplace at the end of each shift, allowing the courts to reopen the next morning.
  
Commercial – Medium Project (between $500,000-$3,000,000)
Winner:  Niramar – Old Parliament House Refurbishment 
The Old Parliament House Redevelopment involved the careful removal of most of the existing interior and then refitting the entire building whilst maintaining or re-establishing some existing features or fixtures. Although this was an engineered project, as the hidden building revealed itself, Niramar were challenged to re-think their approach to numerous tasks throughout the course of the redevelopment.
Complete new electrical systems, communications, access control, audio-visual, security, and lighting control systems were installed and routed to avoid any visual impact to this historic building. Niramar installed innovative suspension systems for a number of the custom made light fittings, allowing for safe cleaning and maintenance, even over stairways.

Commercial – Large Project (over $3,000,000)
Winner:  Nilsen (SA) – South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews
Larry Moore – Executive Director, SA
E larry.moore@necasa.asn.au
D 08 8272 2966
M 0412 242 185

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications
E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au
D 02 9962 6904 
M 0457 767 328

Notes for editors

1.    NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2.    NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3.    We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4.    NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5.    The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6.    NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
7.    NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000. 
8.    For further information go to www.neca.asn.au .