Project EnergyConnect is a joint project between 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 flow between South Australia and NSW, with an added connection into Victoria. Transgrid is constructing the section from Wagga Wagga to the NSW border with South Australia, which is about 700km.
ConnellGriffin has been engaged as a Project and Commercial Advisor post-main contract award with a scope of works encompassing the reviews of program, contract, commercial framework, and project assurance.
The role includes providing independent reviews, advice, and assistance in relation to:
To deal with these key issues, ConnellGriffin has worked efficiently and effectively with Transgrid’s integrated project team. Our advisors were responsible for:
Our Advisors‘ assurance process for deliverability identified a number of risks and key issues to be managed and resolved and was a key part of the process that supported the project proceeding into the construction phase. The team provided commercial guidance including preparing a dispute management plan for the commercial team. This is assisting the team in bringing issues to the table with the Contractor for action and resolution.
As part of our project integration and project control responsibilities, we have developed complementary tools and systems that have improved communication and the monitoring and controls of the project. These tools have picked up early trends that have allowed Transgrid to take corrective action in a timely manner.
The team has also assisted Transgrid to review the EPC Contractor’s program, and identified program risk issues and developed strategies to deal with those issues.
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.
Kevin Luo
Senior Consultant
Kevin is a qualified civil engineer with over 5 years of experience in the design and project management of civil works both in the built environment and infrastructure space. Having previously held roles in design consultancies both large and small, he has been involved in a wide variety of projects spanning the residential, commercial, industrial, education, aged care and transport sectors at various stages of delivery.
Kevin brings a strong technical background coupled with a good understanding of key project drivers through his experience interacting and collaborating across a range of stakeholders including contractors, architects, and approval authorities. Through managing and delivering designs for projects of all shapes and sizes, he has developed a sound understanding of design and constructability principles as well as the interfaces between various technical disciplines.
Kevin strongly believes that collaboration is a key factor behind the successful delivery of any project, and this is reflected in his holistic approach to problem solving.
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.
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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