Rising energy costs for local households have been highlighted by Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea, in his October Davidson Electorate Newsletter, which is being mailed to constituents in the next week.
"On 1 July, NSW electricity prices increased by an average of 10% to help fund upgrades to the transmission system, largely made necessary by 15 years of neglect.
"Over the same 15 years, NSW Labor has ripped $13.8 billion out of electricity companies in dividends and taxes – money that could have been used to upgrade transmission lines, sub-stations and other infrastructure,” Mr O’Dea said.
The power price increases come on top of a 20% jump in July last year. Further average increases are forecast of 11% in 2011 and 8% in 2012, with possibly even higher increases required to cover costs in administering the State Government feed-in tariff solar power scheme," he said.
"From 1 July gas prices also increased by around 5% for the majority of small gas customers, but it gets worse. Over the three years to 2013, gas prices are expected to increase by another 12% to 17%.
"The worst affected, of course, are those who can least afford such massive price hikes – large families, pensioners and self-funded retirees," Mr O'Dea said.
"It is a sad reflection of the NSW Labor Government’s incompetence that reportedly more than 138,000 people in NSW are now struggling to pay for the essential provision of power in order to meet basic needs such as lighting, cooking, heating and cooling.
"The increasing costs of power also means some of the state's biggest employers are reportedly considering scaling down their operations or moving out of the state completely, impacting on employment and the NSW economy.
"The NSW Liberals & Nationals under Barry O'Farrell believe it is time for a fresh approach to managing the state and putting the needs of NSW people first. We are working hard to be given that opportunity," Mr O'Dea concluded.
