[Greens-Media] Residents held hostage over street lighting by Energy Australia

[John Kaye]

Residents held hostage over street lighting by Energy Australia

Media release: 14 December 2008

Electricity distributor Energy Australia is exploiting its monopoly position to charge councils whatever it likes for street lighting, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story in today's Sun Herald ('Dark days ahead for state', p. 14), Dr Kaye said: "Councils cannot look elsewhere. They are forced to use the owner of the electricity poles and wires to install, maintain and operate the lights.

"Energy Australia has refused to open up its books to councils and the public, yet it wants to impose a 67 per cent increase on lighting charges.

"It is time for some openness and transparency. If there are no competitors for this service, commercial-in-confidence excuses for keeping the cost information secret  hold no water.

"To date the state regulator, IPART, has taken a hands-off approach and let the distributor get away with unjustified price hikes.

"It remains to be seen if the change to the federal regulator, AER, will bring Energy Australia to heal.

"The Greens are calling on the AER to not only curtail the unjustified price increases but also force all the distributors to work with councils to bring in more energy efficient lighting.

"Every cent the distributors gauge from the councils is money taken away from libraries, parks, community services and playing fields," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455