Business hit with $100k bill

LNP lays out power plan

A TOOWOOMBA small business owner with six-figure annual power bills has criticised the State Government over its lack of effort to reduce electricity costs.

Adam Sack, who owns three convenience stores across the city, said his quarterly power bill had increased to $9000 at just one of his locations in Glenvale.

Mr Sack, whose annual bill is about $100,000, said the cost of power was forcing him to consider shrinking his business, meaning he’d have to lay off some of his 16 staff.

“My partner and I are working seven days a week for months straight, just to continue with the businesses. It’s very difficult,” he said.

“(Our options are) either that we try and expand hopefully, or we have to shrink.”

Opposition spokesman Jarrod Bleijie, who visited Mr Sack’s business in Glenvale yesterday, said the LNP would introduce major changes to the energy sector, such as adding another government entity, breaking up Energy Queensland and cutting operational costs.

“We’ll have three entities, providing competition just like the productivity commission called for,” he said.

“The minimum save will be $65 a year – and we estimate it will be $1600 a year for Adam’s business.”

Mr Sack said any efforts to reduce prices would be welcome.

“It’s just ridiculous – it’s so hard for business owners to get ahead, employ more people and open more shops,” he said.

PHOTOS: TOM GILLESPIE POWER PLAN: Opposition spokesman for Training and Skills Jarrod Bleijie says the LNP's plan for power prices will reduce costs by hundreds of dollars for Toowoomba residents.

Toowoomba businessman Adam Sack.