The SNU 5 compact point-of-use electric storage water heater from Stiebel Eltron has been named as a finalist in the Water Saving Product of the Year category of the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia’s 2012 Awards for Excellence. [ + ]

Rockwell Automation has announced the recent appointment of David Hegarty as Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand. Hegarty brings a wealth of sales and marketing experience to the role and has a firm focus on customer service. [ + ]

Expressions of interest for the 2013 iAwards are now open. If you or your company has created an innovative ICT product or service, or know of an outstanding ICT innovator, register your interest in the 2013 iAwards program today at www.iawards.com.au. [ + ]

Homeowners affected by storm damage in north Queensland and northern NSW should beware scammers and use only licensed, reputable electrical contractors for repair work, Master Electricians Australia has advised. [ + ]

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

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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 ... [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]