MEDIA RELEASESA summary of recent media releases appears below;2008 November 27th, 2008 -Origin Energy Partners with O'Donnell Griffin To Drive Streamlined 'Domestic' Solar Energy Solution September 19th, 2008 -Norfolk Group and Alliance Partners nominated as preferred proponent for $1 billion RailCorp Program Alliance September 19th, 2008 - O’Donnell Griffin Is the Second Golden Age of Rail Upon Us September 16th, 2008 - O’Donnell Griffin Creates Global Recruitment Drive, Boosts Domestic Intake September 11th, 2008 - Very Fast Trains’ Possible Green Solution to Australian Mass Transport Challenges April 9th, 2008 - O’Donnell Griffin Grows in Generation-To-Consumption Power Market April 8th, 2008 - O’Donnell Griffin Wins $23 Million of New Contracts at Dalrymple Bay April 2nd, 2008 - ODG Completes Electrical Infrastructure for SSR Project in Perth
ORIGIN ENERGY PARTNERS WITH O’DONNELL GRIFFIN TO DRIVE STREAMLINED ‘DOMESTIC’ SOLAR ENERGY SOLUTION
27 November 2008 Origin Energy, Australia's largest retailer of residential solar energy systems, has recently appointed O'Donnell Griffin, part of the Norfolk Group (ASX:NFK), to drive the installation of its streamlined domestic solar energy solution across homes in SA, WA and NSW. With rapid growth forecast for the solar energy industry due to a greater general awareness of the impact of carbon intensive electricity generation, Origin Energy sees the domestic market as primed and ready for broader adoption of a solar energy solution. This, coupled with the fact that customers will be eligible for a Federal rebate of up to $8000 on a standard $10,000 1 kilowatt panel, meant that Origin Energy were keen to choose a service and installation partner who were able to respond quickly and who had a national capability to tie in with the expected future national growth in the domestic solar energy market. Origin Energy Solar Energy Business Manager, Dominic Drenen, explains: ‘We chose O’Donnell Griffin because of their strong commitment to customer service and to HSE. They have an excellent track record in the supply and installation of electrical infrastructure around Australia and have already demonstrated a complimentary focus and desire in the area of sustainable energy solutions. O’Donnell Griffin National Service Manager, Andrew Cross, adds: ‘We are confident that Origin Energy customers will benefit from this service partnership as we are able to guarantee consistency and professionalism in our service delivery and management of their installation.’ ‘The all-round customer experience should be strong as it will be supported through a dedicated Origin Energy customer call centre, web interface and centralised reporting system. Pre-inspects are also a part of our proposed service solution, where we will be able to verify instal requirements and identify any specific challenges in advance.’ He continues: ‘O’Donnell Griffin also has a strong focus on Health and Safety across our business. We have a company motto of ‘Safety All Ways’ and we hope that provides reassurance to all our customer-base.’ Both Origin Energy and O’Donnell Griffin are confident that the take-up by consumers will be strong as they face rising electricity bills and a growing demand to take environmentally positive action. ‘Solar energy is fast becoming an ideal centralised, distributed generation source given its low impact in terms of noise, aesthetics and maintenance and its long term reliability,’ adds Drenen. We are delighted that O’Donnell Griffin also sees the future for this product as significant.’ Projected National Rollout Whilst the first stage of this installation project will commence in December with 80 installations planned across NSW, WA and SA, a multi million dollar national rollout of an estimated 20,000 1 kilowatt solar panels is projected by 2013. The ODG/Origin partnership allows domestic home-owners to order the rooftop panels directly from Origin Energy, either by phone or over the internet. O’Donnell Griffin have committed to installation of the panels within 12 weeks, anywhere in Australia, correlating to the time it will take for consumers to process their Federal Government rebate (up to 80% depending on which suburb and State they live in). This approach should ensure that the customer is not out of pocket for the full amount. As an additional financial incentive to customers, users are also able to supply excess power back into the grid to further shorten the payback period on their solar energy units. Media Contact Nigel Cottingham Marketing and Communications Manager Norfolk Electrical & Communications Division 0434 656 853 O’Donnell Griffin O’Donnell Griffin is a leading Australian electrical engineering and contracting business founded in 1906. With a skilled workforce of more than 1500, O’Donnell Griffin operates throughout Australia from a network of offices in major capital cities and regional locations. O’Donnell Griffin‘s core capabilities include the design, installation, service and maintenance of general electrical systems, data and communication systems, security and access control systems, railway signalling, traction and communications systems, power generation and co-generation systems, process control systems, instrumentation systems, HV reticulation systems, and transmission towers. O’Donnell Griffin has played an integral role in the development of Australian infrastructure for both government and the private sector. These industry sectors include mining and resources, transport, power generation and transmission, telecommunications, water and waste water treatment, education and health and a range of other industrial, manufacturing, commercial and institutional facilities. Today, O’Donnell Griffin is Australian industry’s partner of choice meeting clients’ demands for the highest level of performance, quality and reliability, ensuring efficient, continuous operation of their varied and complex facilities. www.odg.com.au
Norfolk Group and Alliance Partners nominated as preferred proponent for $1 billion RailCorp Program Alliance
Norfolk Group Limited (ASX: NFK) subsidiary O’Donnell Griffin, along with alliance partners Laing O’Rourke and Connell Wagner, have been nominated as the preferred proponent for the RailCorp Program Alliance (RPA) valued at up to $1 billion, by Rail Corporation New South Wales (RailCorp) and the NSW State Government.19 November 2008The alliance program will involve the delivery of essential signalling, electrical and track projects over five years from December 2008, with the option of a further five-year extension. This program will also develop critical technical skills and assist RailCorp with business transformation. O’Donnell Griffin joined forces with Laing O’Rourke and Connell Wagner to form the Novo Rail alliance team, offering RailCorp a “whole of project” capability including industry-leading program management, rail system design and rail infrastructure delivery. The combined experience and capabilities of Novo Rail provides RailCorp with unrivalled reliability, resources, innovation, process-engineering, stakeholder management and cost efficiencies. O’Donnell Griffin’s component of the alliance contract is estimated to be worth up to $400 million over the next five years. This win for O’Donnell Griffin’s Rail business follows other recent contract wins in the rail sector, including the Wodonga Rail Bypass in Victoria, and the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group project and the Revesby Turnback Signalling works, both in NSW. Mobilisation of the team to deliver the work will commence in December 2008, with construction scheduled to commence in April 2009.
Is the Second Golden Age of Rail Upon Us?
19 September 2008A specialist in Australia’s rail infrastructure industry forecasts over $20 billion worth of major project investment opportunities in the industry in the next two decades. Rail Engineering Director for O’Donnell Griffin, Mr Francis Dwornik, said this roll-out of major infrastructure works would be required for two reasons: 1 – the requirement to upgrade public transport systems after decades of insufficient investment by government and private sector which prioritised road infrastructure instead. 2 - the boom in mineral exports that requires major rail infrastructure to haul the mined materials from the desert to the ports and world markets. The $20 billion figure is based on information from leading forecasters and is likely to continue to strengthen from its already robust level, he said. “The second golden age of rail may be upon us,” said Mr Dwornik. “But it is important to recognise that the infrastructure requirements for passenger and freight, whilst not looked at in isolation, carry very different demands.” But the reasons why rail is coming to the forefront in mass transport and freight transport solutions are similar: “Rail’s carbon emission levels are low compared to road transport and aviation. This at a time when conventional fuel prices are also expected to continue to rise beyond current peak levels, further jeopardising the economics of road freight and aviation. Meanwhile, in the resources sector, it is essential for rail infrastructure to be improved for optimal mine-to-port delivery during the current resources boom, especially in Queensland and WA.” Mr Dwornik acknowledged that all transport modes are being hit by overload and congestion, including rail – especially on urban metro passenger networks. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics estimates cost of congestion at $9 billion in 2005 and rising to $20 Billion in 2020. This cost is avoidable.“But rail has the ability to utilise the existing infrastructure and upgrade it via signalling and electrical systems to significantly boost its capacity, along with being able to have substantial new infrastructure added in,” he said. “In the case of planes and cars, there is a limit to how many more facilities can be added, and how many more carbon emissions can be tolerated, both environmentally and, as we move to a carbon economy, economically.” In the past few years ODG has worked projects with an end value of $2 billion in Victoria, SA, NSW and WA, specialising in signalling and electrical contracts. Since 2000, more than $9 billion has been invested in rail including tracks, rolling stock and signalling plant and equipment, he said. Mr Dwornik said a number of large, multi-billion-dollar rail projects on the immediate horizon in Australia include some $9.5 billion opportunities in NSW, $2 billion in Victoria and $4.7 billion in Queensland, along with the substantial $1 billion South and North Improvement Alliances works involved in upgrading the Brisbane-Melbourne rail corridor, currently underway. Mr Dwornik said the construction of new mines in Queensland would also drive rail expansions. Significant investment will continue in the near term, he said.
O’Donnell Griffin Creates Global Recruitment Drive, Boosts Domestic Intake
APRIL 9th, 2008 - O’Donnell Griffin Grows in Generation-To-Consumption Power Market - Investment opportunities in power industry more than $24 billion in next decadeThe Australian power industry is going through a period of massive investment that requires companies to provide a complete solution, from the generation of power through to its efficient delivery into homes and businesses.In response to this emerging need, O’Donnell Griffin (ODG) has launched a major initiative to offer a single solution to the issues of generation, transmission and distribution. The solution will will provide a “one stop stop” for electrical infrastructure investment.The strategic move by ODG has been instigated by Mr David Lee, Norfolk’s Chief Executive Electrical and Communications Division. ODG is part of Norfolk, an ASX listed company.Mr Lee said the power industry is undergoing a transformation not seen since the 1950s when Australia was transformed from an agricultural economy into a modern industrial economy.“Around $20 billion has been earmarked to spend on power generation in Australia in the next decade, with a further $4 billion to be spent upgrading the transmission system and this investment needs to be harnessed in the most efficient manner possible,” he said.As a result ODG, one of Australia’s leading electrical engineering groups, has restructured its operations to focus on the new investment opportunities.The focus of ODG going forward will be the provision of in-house specialists in design, engineering, managing technical detail, construction and installation.Mr Lee says these opportunities will increase markedly with the introduction of the cleaner power technologies required to meet the expected tough emission targets for 2020.ODG is positioning itself strongly in all sectors of the power generation-to-consumption market, he said, partly in response to the effects of deregulation over the past decade that has seen service providers needing to adapt to the new market conditions.“ODG has had to develop relationships with different stakeholders in generation, transmission and distribution, rather than with just one state-owned utility as was the case before power assets were sold off by some state governments as part of power reform,” he said.This is particularly important given the current level of consolidation occurring in the industry.“Overall the electrical industry is required to deal with different stakeholders and different drivers across the three sectors and the more the industry is able to deal with a single service provider the more efficient the outcomes will be,” he said.Mr Lee said ODG’s cross-industry reputation continues to grow, based on its extensive in-house expertise and its completion of multiple roles on major projects.“We’re doing power work across the country in all various aspects rail, mining and other industries as well as electrical infrastructure.”A recent ODG appointment is power industry expert, Mr John Roles, who as National Manager Power Generation is focussed on developing new power generation opportunities for the company.Mr Roles has a significant history in “total design-and-install power stations”, including involvement in Loy Yang A and B stations and more recently, Huntly Power Station in New Zealand, Pinjara co-generation facilities in Western Australia, and Condong and Broadwater co-generation facilities in NSW.He is a strong advocate of co-generation and biomass-fuelled power plants as part of a multi-pronged sustainable solution to Australia’s surging power needs. Mr Roles said the next generation investment opportunities in the industry will exceed $20 billion in the next ten years just to maintain the current level of supply. “If you take into account the costs associated with environmental issues, the potential of carbon-taxing, and the search for reliable clean renewable energy sources, there could be another $20 billion invested on top of that.“Even without carbon-taxing and environmental issues, about $2 billion a year needs to be spent nationally on designing, maintaining and operating power stations and its associated infrastructure,” he said.ODG also continues to build on its decades of expertise in transmission and distribution, says its National Manager, Power Industry Solutions, Mr Andrew Cross.Current industry ODG projects include $36.3 million contracts at the redevelopment of the coal terminal at northern Queensland’s Dalrymple Bay and a $1 million design contract for ETSA Utilities for Oxiana at Prominent Hill, he said.“At Prominent Hill, ODG is working with the project team and other key stakeholders to work through complex native title issues and restricted land-use issues (the site is near Woomera),” he says.“The company is involved in a $1 million contract value for tower and line design, developing a suite of towers for a highly variable terrain that includes sandhills and rocky ground, while also ensuring a reliable lifecycle in this environment of extreme elements. ODG will also be involved in ongoing consultation with the construction team.”ODG is exploring opportunities around the world in the power market, said Mr Cross, with involvement in powerline upgrade proposals in Brunei.In Australia there is also significant opportunity for ODG to provide services that boost the efficiency of supply via the upgrading of transmission powerlines across the national grid, he said.Media ContactGrant Muller0411 602 233
APRIL 8th, 2008 - O’Donnell Griffin Wins $23 Million of New Contracts at Dalrymple BayLeading electrical engineering group O’Donnell Griffin (ODG), part of Norfolk Group Ltd. (ASX: NFK), continues to expand its role in the $1.2 billion Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal redevelopment with the winning of two new contracts totalling almost $23 million at the site.Current contractual works for ODG at Dalrymple Bay are now $36.3 million. The project, known as DBCT-7X, is based south of Mackay in northern Queensland.The two new contracts are for $17.4 million of works for the John Holland Pty Ltd and a $5.4 million contract with Gladstone-based Walz Construction Pty Ltd. These follow ODG’s initial $13.5 million contract at the site for lessee Babcock & Brown Industries (BBI) through site managers, Connell Hatch.ODG Project Manager, Mr Steve Jago, said the initial works involved a complete high-voltage upgrade of the site in just over 12 months. The works are due to be completed by early 2008.The $17.4 million contract with John Holland is for five kilometres of offshore conveyors, a new substation within the bay and a 400 metre extension to the existing berth. The $5.4 million contract with Walz Construction is for the onshore component of this extension, including the installation of transfer towers and an onshore conveyor system to deliver coal to the new offshore conveyor system.“The installation is going to be very demanding because in some areas we are going to be running cables out 30 to 40 metres above the water,” said Mr Jago.Both contracts are in planning and procurement stages with construction due to begin shortly.The new contracts follow a distinguished track record for ODG at Dalrymple Bay, with works completed so far meeting stringent time and budget targets while keeping the coal terminal running at near-full capacity during the upgrade, said Mr Jago. This has required careful planning of shutdowns and changeovers, he said.Mr Enrico Pecora, General Manager of ODG, said the company continues to forge highly co-operative and rewarding relationships with all parties involved in these projects, including BBI, Walz, Connell Hatch and John Holland.The John Holland contract follows previous works for the company on the adjacent Hay Point Coal Terminal expansion.“Continued success in the delivery of major mining projects across Australia solidifies ODG’s position as a premium provider of complete ‘mine to market’ electrical solutions,” said Mr Pecora.This seventh extension (7X) to the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal is part of ODG’s contribution to expanding Queensland’s infrastructure to keep pace with the rapidly developing demands of China and Asia. The upgrade will increase coal-loading capacity by more than 20 per cent to about 85 million tonnes, with completion of the new 3.8 kilometre jetty due by the end of 2008 The terminal facility handles and outloads onto bulk carriers thousands of tonnes of coal a day transported via electrified railway from the Bowen Basin. The upgrade addresses ongoing backlogs and bottlenecks in outloading the coal. Media ContactGrant Muller0411 602 233
Leading rail infrastructure company O’Donnell Griffin (ODG) has completed the critical electrical infrastructure for Australia’s largest new rail line – Perth’s $1.56 billion Southern Suburbs Rail Project.The project was officially opened in late December 2007 and extends the South-west Metropolitan Railway, another 69 kilometres, from Perth to Mandurah.ODG’s role included the management, design, procurement and construction of the Traction Power, Signalling, Communications, Overhead Lines (Construct Only) and LV Power Systems.Commissioned by the WA Minister for Transport, the Public Transport Authority and project managers New Metro Rail, the rapid transit regional railway links local communities via strategically spaced and purpose-designed transit stations.As the principal sub-contractor, ODG completed contracts of a final estimated value of $102.96 million, including signalling communications traction power and overheads and management, procurement and installation works.ODG’s major suppliers were Ansaldo Rail Signalling equipment, Siemens OHL and TP equipment, Olex Cable Supply, Nexans Cable Supply and Silcar Communications.The works took place between the start of February 2006 and 23 December 2007, with more than 300 people employed by ODG on the project. More than 550,000 man-hours are estimated to have been used to complete the ODG component of the project.“O’Donnell Griffin’s record on the project, fulfilling substantial and demanding requirements in a complex environment attests to the company’s growing strength and credentials in the rail sector,” said Mr David Lee, Chief Executive of Norfolk’s Electrical and Communications Division. ODG is part of the Norfolk Group, an ASX listed company.The project’s completion follows ODG’s announcement last month that it has formed Australia’s first independent specialist rail division – O’Donnell Griffin Rail. The new dedicated rail division will be targeting major contracts as part of the $23 billion currently earmarked for national rail infrastructure development in the next 10-15 years.SSR links to the existing rail network via the tunnel that connects from Narrows Bridge in the South via Esplanade and William street underground stations, via the Roe Street dive to the existing Northern suburb lines. The project required linking the new line to the underground system built in central Perth and necessitated the complete shutdown of the rail system for four days in November.Mr David Howe, General Manager O’Donnell Griffin Rail, said “The most challenging part of ODG’s involvement in the project was the logistics of building a rail network in the middle of a freeway and transportation of 300 resources to different work fronts across 70 kilometres of construction site”.“This task became even more difficult once the track had been laid as the only access to a majority of the rail was via a purpose-built Hi-rail plant.”The project work-site for ODG was in excess of 70 km long by 40m (max) wide, Mr Howe said. Personnel had to work in between the lanes of Kwinana Freeway, Perth’s major freeway, making safety processes and management crucial.Overhead and signalling modifications had to be carried out to the existing, operating rail system in the Perth Yards to integrate with the new Mandurah line. This meant dozens of isolations and major shut-downs over a 12-month period.All up, 750,000 metres of cable was laid by ODG on the project, with 500,000 metres of overhead lines installed, with 2200 masts supporting the overhead line system. There are 160 new and 10 upgraded signals.Two electrical 132kv to 25kv sub-stations substations were built as part of the project, said Mr Howe, one at Glen Iris and one at Parklands, with 25,000 volts running through overhead cables.The completion of the SSR means that a journey from central Perth to Mandurah will take about 60 minutes, and 44 minutes to Rockingham. There will be an expected 30,000 passenger journeys each day.Mr Howe said it was a credit to ODG’s project management that the large $100-million-plus contractual works were completed to the final scheduled date, and in an intensive multi-partnership environment.“We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate those employees that were part of the SSRP team. Their efforts have lead to the successful completion of the project” said Mr Howe.Aside from the SSRP, ODG’s recent projects include BHP’s Rapid Growth Project – Rail, Regional Fast Rail (Victoria) and the Southern Alliance rail and signalling upgrades from Sydney to Melbourne, with rail work in recent years contributing towards the sustained growth of the business.SSR SIGNALLING SCOPE
SSR TRACTION POWER SCOPE
SSR OHL SCOPE
SSR Communications SCOPE