About Us

The Committee

This website is published by a committee of the Victorian Electricity Distribution Networks Owners/Operators.

The current committee members are:

Les Ferris	Powercor CitiPower	Network Compliance Manager PO Box 572 Ballarat 3353 lferris@powercor.com.au
Chris Berkery	Alinta	Technical Compliance Specialist PO Box 718 Mount Waverley 3149 Chris.Berkery@alinta.net.au
Bruce Phillips	SP AusNet	Team Leader Contract Services Group Lot 3, Melba Avenue Lilydale 3140 bruce.phillips@sp-ausnet.com.au

The Requirements

The Victorian Electricity Industry consisting of Powercor, Citipower, United Energy Distribution (Alinta), Alinta and SPI Electricity (SPAusNet) introduced changes to the requirements of tendering for network electricity infrastructure works throughout Victoria during 2008. The changes affect all companies and civil contractors involved in network construction projects. Only pre-qualified and approved civil contractors are able to work on network electricity infrastructure.

This initiative ensures safe and reliable electrical infrastructure assets continue to be constructed in Victoria.

The Victorian Electricity Distribution Network owners/operators will maintain a register of pre-qualified and approved contractors that have demonstrated they possess the necessary management systems, capacity and expertise to undertake the particular categories of civil works. Only pre-qualified contractors will be eligible to tender for the supply of works and services covered by these particular pre-qualification categories.

The initiative therefore aims to:-

Introduce a pre-tender qualification system for civil contractors to undertake Electrical Infrastructure Works on behalf of the developer.

Introduce a third party management system audit process for Safety, Quality & Environment specific to Electrical Infrastructure Works for contractors wishing to undertake civil works on Network Electrical Distribution Infrastructure.

Introduce training courses on industry standard Electrical Infrastructure works as a requirement of a civil contractor’s management system.

The new scheme will commenced in 2008 and all civil contractors will need to apply and gain approval to tender for electricity infrastructure works.  Contractors will be given 6 months notice before the the scheme is introduced.. The scheme will also require all civil contractors, in control of excavation work, and project auditors to undergo the training course on electricity infrastructure requirements. The course are available at GippsTAFE starting 1st April 2007