Community Comment sought on Electricity Tafiffs

This public notice is issued in accordance with s 610F of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)(NI).

The community is encouraged to view a proposal for one amended and one new electricity tariff, which has been published on the Documents for Public Exhibition page of Council’s website for a period of a 28 days. The proposed charge amendment is the result of increased operating costs associated with the electricity billing system.

Norfolk Island Regional Council is proposing to increase the daily electricity supply charge from $0.90/day to $1.48/day. An additional $0.37/day transitional charge is also proposed to recover increased operating costs incurred in the first half of 2024-25 financial year. This transitional fee is proposed to apply for the remainder of the 2024-25 financial year, being removed from 1 July 2025.

Over the past several years, a portion of electricity system costs were funded through a grant from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communities and the Arts (DITRDCA). This funding was for the roll-out of the new electricity system, based in increased solar generation and reduction of diesel consumption. This funding has now ended, and costs associated with this service are to be funded from operational revenue.

At the November Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to publicly exhibit the proposal to increase the 2024-2025 electricity tariffs effective 1 January 2025 in order to achieve cost neutrality for services and contracts that were previously incorporated in the Commonwealth grant.

Public comment on the proposed new charges is currently being sought and will be accepted until Thursday 12 December. All submissions will then be considered at a meeting of Council after this date to determine potential changes in electricity tariffs for the rest of the 2024/2025 financial year. Any potential changes to electricity charges are proposed to commence from 1 January 2025.

It is also recognised that Council is continuing to work with some account holders to clear outstanding debt associated with their electricity consumption, a situation that further complicates financial sustainability of the electricity billing system.

15 November 2024