The following Media Release has been issued by Council in reponse to the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) advice that it’s draft determination is that electricity prices for 2013/14 should be increased by as much as 21% stating, “The proposed transitional charges for 2013-14 are significantly higher than the frozen charges for 2012-13 and will increase a typical customer’s annual bill from $1,184 to $1,437 – ($253).”
To my mind, this is outrageous and will not only impact on resident’s home and business electricity bills but will also significantly increase the operational costs across every department of Council which will have little option other than to pass it on to ratepayers.
In the release below Cr. Batt is encouraging as many people as possible to attend a public meeting at the Brothers Sports Club tomorrow between 10.00am & noon to provide the QCA with their feedback.
You can be damn sure that I’ll be there and I join Dave in urging others to also attend.
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COUNCIL URGES RESIDENTS TO HAVE A SAY ON POWER PRICES
District residents are being urged to turn out in numbers to have their say on looming power price rises.
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Governance portfolio spokesperson, Cr. David Batt said the spiral in power price rises not only affected the individual with their own power use but also ratepayers who supported the cost of Council generated power consumption across the Region.
“This is an opportunity for people, both as consumers and as ratepayers to say that enough is enough when it comes to the cost of power.”
Cr. Batt said the Queensland Competition Authority was requesting feedback from consumers concerned at proposed increases due to be handed down on May 31.
He said the State Government had indicated that it did not favour substantial hikes in power prices but the community was being provided an opportunity to voice its concern.
The workshop will be held at Brothers Sports Club this Friday commencing at 10am.
Written submissions can also be made to the QCA by visiting its website at www.qca.org.au with submissions due by March 22.