EAST Region Notes
. Workforce, Hours & Conditions
Strong results achieved in 2024 due to significant overtime.
Implement rules for sustainability:
Mandatory breaks after 14 days onsite (2 days LIL).
Cap LIL at 50 hours.
Do not remove the 12-hour travel cap; it stays in place.
2. Market Opportunities & Gaps
Huge volume of work available in Queensland — the key question:
Why aren’t we winning more of it?ConocoPhillips presents a major opportunity; investigate engagement strategy.
No justification for opening a Gladstone office in 2026.
Rob to contact Contact Energy (NZ):
Roxburgh Power Station generators have IRIS couplers connected to an online system
But data is still downloaded manually → an opportunity for RiskMonitor® or OptMonitor® integration
Synchronous condensers being deployed across Australia; major activity with Auspower and TransGrid/Transnet (VIC).
Check Meridian (NZ) in RiskMonitor® — largest wind operator in NZ, potential OptMonitor® gateway.
3. Strategy for Commissioning & New Markets
Commissioning is an opportunity but requires a clear strategic decision:
Who do we want to be and where do we want to play?We are technically heavy — customers value that.
We train clients thoroughly; we do not offer “tick-and-flick” testing.
To scale commissioning we need:
A clear business strategy
The right people
The right software
Local capability (reduce reliance on fly-in/fly-out)
Competitors (e.g. Nilsen, Downer) win more hourly-rate labour jobs; we are called in when they fail.
We need to decide whether we enter that part of the market or stay premium.
4. Structural & Operational Issues
Not set up for hourly-rate style work in current systems.
Not set up for contractor management.
Missing quality procedures for commissioning-style delivery.
Need local staff in-region; FIFO may be a temporary model.
Vertical integration could help (in-house commissioning capability).
5. Workforce Requirements & Skill Mix
We need tradespeople to carry out standard field work (“take the covers off”).
Engineers should be focused on analysis, reporting, and high-value tasks — not basic onsite work.
Need our own installer electricians to support sales of IRIS and other monitoring systems.
Urgent need to hire more practical, hands-on people for QLD.
6. Digital Platforms: OptMonitor® & RiskMonitor®
Use RiskMonitor® to identify:
Past work
Sites with IRIS couplers
Condition recommendations
Follow-up opportunities
OptMonitor® is a direct entry point into wind, hydro, and remote monitoring.
Customers like Meridian and Contact Energy are ideal use cases.
7. Summary Insight (QLD)
To grow in QLD, machinemonitor® needs:
A clear strategy before chasing more work
Experienced tradespeople + local presence
Commissioning capability supported by procedures and systems
Stronger use of RiskMonitor® + OptMonitor® for follow-up opportunities
Engineers in the office, technicians in the field
More practical people with electrical and trade backgrounds
A defined position in the commissioning market (premium vs hourly-rate)
