FAR NORTH’S BILL SHOCK OR JUST LEFT IN THE DARK

THERE’S shock when receiving a power bill after running the aircon 24/7 and then there’s astonishment when the region’s only electricity provider can’t get the power on, for some homes, to begin with.

New estates across the city have literally been left in the dark due to an Ergon Energy connection fail that’s seriously impacting families forced to hit pause on moving into their dream home and construction businesses lumped with the extra cost of fuelling onsite generators to power tools.

For years Far North homes and businesses have faced a lack of choice in the electricity market.

Although there are underlying factors for the surge in energy costs of all types, households in Cairns are paying more than the national average, according to the Australian Energy Market Commission.

It seems a regional monopoly has meant the state-owned electricity provider can charge as they see fit. If we don’t like it, we don’t have the kind of choice consumers do in other cities.

However on some new housing estates, power bills are not the problem – it’s the lack of a connection.

While the bank has its hand out for the monthly mortgage repayment, some homeowners are paying for an uninhabitable home and a rental while Ergon takes its time.

Kayla Schneider, anxious to move into her new home at Smithfield Village, summed up the situation.

“It’s a disaster,” she said. “Thankfully I was able to get a rental extension but so many people are homeless at the moment. It’s not just us, it’s the knock-on effects of everyone else needed somewhere to live too.”

Ergon blamed delays on record connection applications, which is surely little consolation for builders, real estate agents, new home occupiers and tradespeople impacted by a supply wait.

Peter Carruthers

Reporter