NSW’s top electricians and projects recognised at 2014 Excellence Awards

Nine companies across ten categories received the top state award in front of over 550 industry representatives including contractors, educators and government representatives at the premier showcase event for New South Wales’ electrical and communications industry at the Star Event Centre, Sydney.

 

Executive Director of NECA New South Wales, Mr Oliver Judd said the winning companies were chosen because of their commitment to excellence, significant engineering achievements and 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,” Mr Judd said.

 

“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, providing the lighting of the Sydney Cricket Ground through to the electrical and communications systems of the Opera House.

 

“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: 

 

 

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

 

Winner:  Synergy Integrated Systems

Project:  Private Residence Northern Beaches.

Why:       The client for this large multi-level private residence, situated on the Northern beaches of Sydney, wanted a family home that was simple and intuitive to use.  In addition to the integration of the many technical products included in this project, Synergy were responsible for the design of the electrical reticulation, including maximum demand calculations and load approvals, designing switchboards and distribution boards, along with  locating cable pathways throughout the home. Movement sensors and lux level sensors within the home and combined with strategically placed exterior wind sensors and lighting sensors. These are linked to more than 85 separate internal and external blinds that assist in heating and cooling this remarkable home.

 

Synergy Integrated Systems Director Clayton Brown said:  “For the Synergy team to maintain the commitment to the customer’s wishes and to the absolute integrity and quality of the installation over such a long period, to embrace the huge amount of changes and the vast array of technologies with enthusiasm has been I believe our greatest accomplishment over the course of this project”.

 

 

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

 

Winner:  TN Electrical Pty Ltd

Project:  BMA House

Why:      Works on this beautiful 12 storey heritage listed building, occupied by medical and legal practitioners, included the replacement of the entire electrical distribution system, from the incoming supply through to 60 tenancy sub boards.  TN Electrical were faced with a multitude of challenges – including retaining the heritage features of the building, ensuring power outages were kept to a minimum, extremely limited storage on site, noise and dust minimisation, confined working areas, limited access and having to work after hours. A crucial element factor in the success of this upgrade was TN’s technical knowledge. By pre testing the in-situ cables in this heritage building, and working closely with installation inspectors from Ausgrid at an early stage and on a continual basis, TN Electrical ensured a safe and successful outcome.

 

TN Electrical Director John Nelson said: "It is an honour to be judged by our industry peers as a winner in this category.  This is a huge achievement for our small business and it is a testament to our ability to deliver a quality project with many complexities, being technical and logistical to the satisfaction for our client”.

 

 

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

 

Winner:  Downer Infrastructure

Project:  Gladesville Facility Energy Efficient Lighting Upgrade

Why:       Downer set out to improve the quality of the lighting and achieve maximum energy savings in one of their own facilities – comprising 3 floors of commercial office space, underground car park and warehouse facilities.   High quality, energy efficient T5 fluorescent light fittings were used in both the office and warehouse areas – presenting a challenge in wiring technologically advanced light fittings and sensors, into a 20 year old building.  The use of combined movement and daylight sensors reduced the number of lights being used when not needed. Energy savings of 155,000 kilowatt hours per year have been achieved – equating to 163 tonnes of greenhouse gases and an annual saving of over $35,000 in electricity costs.

 

Downer Infrastructure’s Environmental Sustainability Manager Ricky Bridge said:  “To be recognised as a winner would be a great accomplishment for all those who were involved in getting the project off the ground and completed. It would also be the first Environmental Award that Downer Infrastructure have won with NECA of whom we have been associated with for many years and a great acknowledgement of the efforts that Downer Infrastructure put into reducing our energy consumption and reducing our impact on the environment”.

 

 

A commercial, industrial, residential, hospitality, retail or sports project of any value where the lighting achieves a high level of visual, technical and aesthetic excellence.

 

Winner:  Barnwell Cambridge Pty Ltd

Project:  Noble Bradman Stand – Sydney Cricket Ground

Why:      This major project involved turning the old M.A. Noble, Sir Donald Bradman and Dally Messenger stands into the new Noble Bradman Stand at the SCG. The works also included the relocation of two light towers and upgrade of sports lighting to suit the revised geometry of the field. Barnwell Cambridge completed many hours of computer modelling, not only looking at the lighting for the field itself, but areas such as the grandstand, function rooms and even stairwells.  As a result of the success of this project, Barnwell Cambridge is now the preferred contractor for all electrical maintenance on the SCG and Football Stadium Precinct - from High Voltage to general lighting and power.

 

Barnwell Cambridge Director Anthony Cambridge said:  “This project has already been “showcased” to the public. To be acknowledged as a leader in our field provides our staff with the level of satisfaction they have earned.  To be a winner with this project allows Barnwell Cambridge to showcase our design and construct capabilities and quite simply give the team at Barnwell Cambridge the recognition it deserves for completing a project that was faced with many construction challenges. The team worked tirelessly through the Christmas period to allow for the partial completion months ahead of schedule, giving the spectators a world class facility for the Ashes Test. I know they will remember this project during every SCG showcased event and rightfully so”.

 

 

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:  IMS Installations International

Project:  Afford eCycleIT

Why:      Afford eCycleIT is The Australian Foundation for Disability’s new e–waste plant, using state of the art, CRT processing equipment, purchased in the US.  IMS was required to design and install the complete electrical supply, motor control, safety, PLC control and automation systems, both for the US supplied equipment and for all the auxiliary equipment, including conveyor sequencing, safety systems, and dust extraction systems.  Integrating the equipment from the US, with locally made equipment, to create a fully automated system, with safety and control systems suitable for disabled and regular workers, housed in a building with an inadequate electrical supply and not enough space, provided IMS with unique challenges.

 

IMS Installations International’s Operations Manager said:  “To be recognised as a winner amongst such outstanding competition not only acknowledges one of the diverse range of complex and multi-faceted projects IMS carries out, but in this instance also allows us to bring much deserved recognition to The Australian Foundation for Disability. We are excited to have the opportunity to highlight this project’s unique solution to the e-waste problem and show the public some of the great work that the Foundation is doing”.

 

 

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:  Bass Electrical Engineering

Project:  Port Kembla Grinding Mill

Why:      The new Grinding Mill at Port Kembla is the largest cement-grinding mill in Australia. Designed and pre-assembled in Spain, it was shipped to Port Kembla for offloading, erecting and commissioning by Bass and its partner on the project, Mainteck.  Incomplete and insufficient electrical design information was received from Spain, which along with Spanish equipment that did not meet the relevant Australian Standards, created major challenges for Bass.  Bass assumed the role of completing the construction engineering for the project and completed designs associated with cable pathways beneath all switch rooms, the conveyors and balance of plant around the site – and taking into account the varying cable voltages from 33kV through to 24volt DC. 

 

Bass Electrical Engineering’s Managing Director Brett Chambers said:  “Bass is a company that provides high quality, on-time delivery and an uncompromising commitment to customer service at all levels of the organisation. We work to a high standard, not just with our projects but with all the work we do. Frequently, when we complete an electrical installation, we are appointed as the client’s preferred supplier for ongoing maintenance work. Winning a NECA award validates our work ethic and the way we do business”.

 

 

A voice/data communications project of any contract value. 

 

Winner:  Fredon Industries

Project:  Charles Perkins Centre

Why:      The 10 level Charles Perkins Centre at RPA provides a world-class facility for research into obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The facility caters for 950 researchers and almost 1500 undergraduate and post graduate students.  Fredon’s scope of works included design and construct for the electrical; communication; security; audio visual; stand by diesel generator together with building load management; photo voltaic system; UPS; and nurse call systems.  This impressive project used over 520 kilometres of Cat 6A cable; 5 and half kilometres of fibre cables; 389, 24 port, Patch panels; and fourteen and half thousand patch leads – creating an environment where the technology blends seamlessly into the buildings striking interior design. 

 

Fredon Industries’ General Manager Romano Koncurat said: “This award is accepted with great honour for a 40+ year business and demonstrates Fredon’s commitment to strive for continual improvement and relevance. This award is testament to our employees, clients and supply chain alike, that we intend on delivering a quality solution in the many years ahead”.

 

 

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is less than $500,000.

 

Winner:  Ryan Wills Pty Ltd

Project:   Sydney Opera House Eastern Shell Lighting

Why:      This was a technically complex project to light the eastern shell of the Opera House, via 2 new 12 metre high lighting poles, each equipped with 14 metal halide luminaires. One pole was installed on the heritage listed Man O’ War Steps, while the other was installed in the Harbour, 11 meters out from the Opera House. Cable reticulation to this pole was penetrated out from behind the Eastern Broad Walk Façade down the ocean wall, to the sea bed. The installation of the underwater conduits involved workers on the Broad Walk and underwater divers.  All equipment used for this project was delivered by sea, minimising disruption to the always busy Opera House.

 

Ryan Wilks Pty Ltd’s Business Development and Estimating Manager Hugh Fraser said:  "For Ryan Wilks Pty Ltd to be recognised as the winner of this prestigious award validates the exceptional performance that was carried out by all our staff that were involved in this project. The Sydney Opera House Eastern Shell Lighting Project is a project that shows our team is able to tackle and deliver the most technically complex projects time and time again".

 

 

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is more than $500,000 and less than $3 million

 

Winner:  Ryan Wilks Pty Ltd

Project:  Mt Kuringai Pharmaceutical Facility

Why:      New LED technology, including custom made fittings to suit the client’s specific requirements, was utilised in this project, which saw Ryan Wilks design, supply and install the electrical services for a new four storey, pharmaceutical production facility in Mount Kuring-Gai. Works included electrical reticulation, general power and lighting, data and telephone services, security and access control, clean room access control, fire detection and lighting protection. Power reticulation is via a new 2500 Amp Main Switch Board and distribution boards throughout 3 levels of the office and clean room compounding area. This electrical reticulation design provides the client with reliable engineered electrical services, with the capacity for future growth.  

 

Ryan Wilks Pty Ltd’s Business Development and Estimating Manager Hugh Fraser said:  "Being provided the opportunity to undertake this unique and high profile project has shown again that Ryan Wilks Pty Ltd has skilled and capable resources from estimating through to Project delivery.  This project provided our personnel with a valuable knowledge and experience in both design and execution in electrical services for the pharmaceutical industry”.

 

 

A commercial project where the applicant’s contract value is greater than $3 million.

 

Winner:  Programmed Electrical Technologies

Project:  NBN Earth Satellite Stations

Why:     As a part of the NBN rollout, Satellite Earth Stations are being established across Australia, in remote locations such as Bourke, Broken Hill, Roma and Wolumia. Programmed Electrical Technologies developed accurate 3D models for each station type. These models contained the entire infrastructure, including cable ladders, trays, baskets, switchboards, UPS systems and Technical Rooms. With much of the infrastructure produced off site, and services such as lighting integrated into the structures, site deployment was quick, accurate and seamless. Most sites contain an integrated 100kw solar farm. Coupled with a Honeywell BMS and Dynalite lighting control system, each facility is monitored and controlled from a central network operations centre.

 

Programmed Electrical Technologies, National General Manager Sales and Technical, Stuart Malmgron said:   “To win this award would be recognition of the teamwork within Programmed Electrical Technologies and all its partners which were required to deliver such a technical project in remote locations of Australia in such a short timeframe.   We consider ourselves to be the leaders in 3D modelling which allows large portions of the project to be designed, coordinated and constructed off site. The off site production improves productivity, reduces safety risks, delivers outstanding workmanship and provides the customer NBN with consistent delivery across all sites”.