Victoria’s top electrical and communications contractors recognised

Seven Victorian electrical and communications contractors were last week recognised at the annual electrical industry Excellence Awards hosted by the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

The companies 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 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,” said NECA Victoria Executive Director Philip Green.

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
Project: Private Residence, Balnarring Beach
Why: This project has features well in excess of those normally applied to a domestic home. L+O Technologies designed and installed an IP intercom, IP security, an 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.

Category - Small Contracting Business

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

Winner: PSE 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 rooftop 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.

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.

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
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
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 design and construct activities ‘in-house’ resulting in a landmark building for the people of Victoria.

Category - Commercial - Small Project

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

Winner: LANEC Services
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.

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
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 10 months and all the work was carried out on time by Electrical Design & Construct.

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 a 100% backup system for use if normal power fails. This project, in its entirety, is exceptional.