Project EnergyConnect is Australia’s largest energy transmission project delivered by TransGrid, NSW’s transmission network service provider, and ElectraNet, South Australia’s provider.
The Project involves building a 900 km-long connection between multiple transmission networks that allows power to flowbetween South Australia and NSW, with an added connection into Victoria. Transgrid is constructing the section from WaggaWagga to the NSW border with South Australia, which is about 700km.
ConnellGriffin is engaged by Transgrid for the delivery of its first major project to provide Contract and Commercial Management Services. The project faces many challenges including interfacing with multiple stakeholders across various States and jurisdictions and the voluntary administration of a joint venture partner of the delivery partner. Despite the unexpected setbacks, our Advisors to deliver rapid resolutions of intricate technical and commercial issues, provide responsive leadership situation with strategic acumen and effective negotiation parameters to ensure minimal disruption to the project. ConnellGriffin’s team is able to draw from the depth of our expertise and boost commercial capability to address challenges as they arose.
To deal with these key issues, ConnellGriffin has worked efficiently and effectively with Transgrid’s integrated project team. Our advisors were responsible for:
During project delivery, our Advisors identified a number of risks and key issues based on past experiences and lessons learned. Our Advisors are instrumental in defining negotiation parameters and incorporating key lessons learned or mitigated outcomes for risks identified into the reset contract to ensure success delivery of the project.
Our Advisors also developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are incorporated into the reset contract to monitor and measure the project performance. Our team developed a comprehensive assessment framework for evaluating project performance against KPIs.
To ensure successful delivery of the project following the reset, our team provides commercial guidance including development of management tools and issue resolution processes to upskill the project team in having the confidence and skillset to resolve issues as they arise.
Brian Connell
Managing Director
Brian is a Director and co-founder of ConnellGriffin. He has over 20 years’ experience in the construction and transport infrastructure industry. During his career, Brian has been responsible for commercial contract management of a broad range of projects.
Brian’s extensive experience working in an advisory capacity to both public and private sector clients make him a valuable asset to any project. His experience includes the provision of commercial and contract management, risk management, claims management, project auditing, financial tt and the review and auditing of business processes and contract administration procedures.
Brian’s commercial insight combined with his strong technical skills in the industry make him well equipped to determine the most cost effective, timely and sensible solutions for clients.
Sarah Goh
Director
Sarah has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, evolving from quantity surveying to overall project management of building projects in Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, UAE and USA. She has held cost and project management roles in property developer firms, construction companies and professional consultancy firms. Most recently, Sarah has prepared a number of expert reports in relation to delay, delay costs and disputed quantum claims for a number of projects for the purposes of adjudication, arbitration, mediation and litigation.
Having worked on a wide range of projects across various sectors and cultures, Sarah brings a strong commercial acumen and pragmatism to resolve issues or disputes in projects.
Paul Haylen
Senior Advisor
Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the engineering and construction industries. Paul commenced his career as a civil engineer in the electricity industry and was involved in the planning, design and construction of major power stations and high voltage transmission lines in NSW. He moved into management consulting in the 1990s and has undertaken assignments in the building, transport, water, defence, IT, power and mining industries. During this time, Paul also project managed a number of building contracts involving major sporting facilities (grandstands), health facilities and aged care facilities.
In recent years, Paul has largely worked in the economic infrastructure (airports, rail, light rail, roads, utilities) and social infrastructure (buildings) sectors. Paul provides industry clients with strategic planning and/or forensic advice on their major developments. Project Controls, Planning & Scheduling, Risk Management, Forensic Analysis and Dispute Resolution (Schedule Delay Analysis) are areas in which he has particular expertise.
Patrick Liu
Senior Consultant
Patrick is a recent graduate completing a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) and Architecture at the University of New South Wales. Joining as an undergraduate in 2021 through the Undergraduate Development Program, Patrick has been able to gain insight and develop his understanding in major transport infrastructure projects. He was able to provide assistance in the claims and risk assessment stages for the Sydney Metro (SSJ) project, where he had prior experience working as an assistant underwriter at HDI Global SE.
Throughout university, Patrick has been involved in advanced academic projects, including delivery strategies for the Western Sydney Airport and the electrification of the Sydney Bus Fleet, with AECOM and WSP respectively. His strong written and verbal communication skills will act as a basis to build his professional acumen and consultant experience. Patrick is comfortable working within a team centric environment and will not hesitate to take additional steps to further hone his problem solving capabilities.
Peggy Draheim
Advisor
Peggy joined Connell Griffin after a diverse career path that began in Germany, where she practiced law for two years before moving to Australia. Over the past five years, she has gained extensive experience as a Contract Administrator, working with both smaller and Tier 2 Contractors. Her expertise spans contract management, subcontractor coordination, cost control, and procurement. Peggy has been involved in all stages of project lifecycles, from tendering and negotiation to on-site execution and final closeout. This hands-on experience has equipped her with a deep understanding of the construction process and strong problem-solving skills. Peggy embraces new challenges as opportunities for growth and skill enhancement.
The Powerlink-led CopperString 2032 project, formerly known as CopperString 2.0, initially involves building 840km of new electricity transmission line from just south of Townsville.
The CopperString 2032 Project is the largest ever economic development project in North and North West Queensland and the largest ever major project for Powerlink Queensland. It initially involves building 840km of transmission line and five substations from just south of Townsville in the Burdekin region to Mt Isa. The Project will connect Queensland’s Northwest Mineral Precinct to the National Electricity Market and unlock zones for renewable energy generation along the alignment.
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