LETTERS NOOSATODAY.COM.AU
Rate rise shock I am in full agreement with Alan Deering ( NT 29/07) about Council’s rate increase. I read/ heard the bit about a 5% increase then got my notice showing a 17.8% increase. Wow, someone was telling porkies and I only expect that from politicians. We have been sitting here minding our own business for over 20 years and now Council determines we have suddenly become rich and need to pay more for using the same unchanged services that we used last week. I am comforted though that Council “works extremely hard “ to contain increases? (Thank goodness for that). I have yet to hear about what cost savings and productivity gains have been made throughout their bureaucracy but won’t hold my breath on that. On the bright side I may soon be able to claim for Council assistance on Affordable Housing. Previous councils had their Quixotic projects but it seems we are now in a more progressive but expensive era. John Duke, Tewantin
Power to thinkers Why the vitriolic vehemence against those who think about and question the expert opinions surrounding climate change. I am so pleased that burning at the stake is no longer in vogue. I have spent a professional lifetime interacting with “experts”. Experts given the exact same set of facts reliant upon the exact same scientific and technical data who come to the exact opposite opinion. In that lifetime I have observed the most esteemed and respected legal minds, a bench of judges, accredited experts in the field of law, given the same history of decisions in relation to the same piece of legislation each interpret that legislation entirely differently and each come up with the same or a completely opposite opinion as to its application with an extremely different and at times devastating result those opinions will have on those affected
LENSCAPE
A fantastic early morning walk to the top of Mt Tinbeerwah did not disappoint Ian Glew who snapped this photo of this fabulous sunrise. If you have a Lenscape please email to newsdesk@noosatoday.com.au
by that opinion, only to have a more esteemed set of judges reverse their opinions for entirely different reasons. Recently, the medication for depression, the health of the Barrier Reef, the cause of stomach ulcers, every day refutation of an existing opinion of an expert by another expert, to our benefit. Lives lost, reputations tarnished, employment terminated and subjected to vitriolic attacks, notwithstanding, the thinkers, the questioners have spearheaded change, questioned what was thought to be scientifically inviolate and made a better world by doing so. Go thinkers and questioners, more
power to you. Warren Wells, Noosa
Nuclear in my backyard Did the glowing reports from Fukishima, Chernobyl and Sellafield encourage Queensland’s Love Nuclear Power pollies to promote nuclear power for their electorates? Out of coal fire and into the nuclear frying pan? That’s the pits! Margaret Wilkie, Peregian Beach
Careless and car less I am car-less. I was careless.
Last week I had it serviced. On Friday I filled it with petrol On Friday evening it was in my carport adjoining my bedroom. Unlocked. Keys inside. Perfectly prepared for the Nicker. I never was a Locker. But I have learned a lesson. Times have changed! Lock everything at all times. So sad. Elizabeth Cameron, Tewantin
Electric shock for body corporates Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) Inc has issued a warning to body corporate committees and owners within embedded networks to be aware of certain business practices related to their electricity supply. “ZEN Inc has become aware that a number of body corporate committees with embedded networks are being asked to sign new electricity price increase contracts at very short notice,” ZEN Inc spokesperson Vivien Griffin said. “We are urging body corporate committees in this situation to contact their supplier immediately and seek a review. “The contract terms of one particular Embedded Network Operator (ENO) and retailer seem to allow the company to increase the rate, even where an energy rate had been set for a particular term. “As advised to ZEN Inc, these strata properties are being given very short notice of increases of 10-15 cents per kilowatt hour (an increase of up to 150 per cent) which will involve many thousands of dollars over a year. “These rates are higher than the Default Market Offer (DMO) set by the Australian Energy Regulator each year intended to protect small customers from excessive retail rates. Retailers’ default rates, known as standing offers, should be below the DMO.” Ms Griffin continued: “We also believe the company is offering contracts which charge
the increased high rates, but only bill rates which are below the DMO. “Then, at the end of the 12-month period, the difference between the billed amount and the owed amount (the deferred amount) is calculated. The company offers to ‘work with the community’ to recover the deferred amount plus up to 10 per cent interest not appearing in the proposal.” ZEN Inc is urging body corporate committees or owners who find themselves in this situation to immediately: 1. Advise your body corporate committee and body corporate manager of the price increase notification. 2. Contact your ENO/Retailer to ask what other, lower rates are available to owners and the BC. 3. If no rates are offered lower than the DMO, decline the increased rates and ask to go onto the ENO/Retailer’s standing offer. 4. If no standing offer is made available, seek resolution of your complaint through the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ). 5. At the same time, commence the process of calling for alternative supply charge/energy usage retailers. “The obvious first action to take is to seek to resolve your concerns with your ENO,” Ms Grififn said. “If that is not productive, we urge affected
body corporate committees to call EWOQ on 1800 662 837 but also to submit a complaint in writing. “Our discussions with the EWOQ have revealed that if it receives an increase in complaints about particular providers, it will notify the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).” ZEN Inc will be alerting local MP Sandy Bolton and industry bodies of the need for government intervention in this specific area. Ms Griffin said the Victorian Government was already moving on regulatory reform in the embedded network residential sector, where it has stated, “The panel found that the residential electricity embedded network market in Victoria is not working in the best interests of customers and that intervention is required to ensure better consumer outcomes while supporting renewable energy uptake”. As a not-for-profit, community organisation, with a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2026, ZEN Inc advises all residents and business, whether in an embedded network or not, to investigate the economic (and environmental) returns of installing solar, particularly when compared to these price hikes. Generating your own electricity can provide protection against the volatile energy market – not just this year, but with a payback and protection over 15-20 years or more. Further information: Vivien Griffin 0407116105/Ian Wright 0476544356
ZEN founder Vivien Griffin.
Picture: SUPPLIED
THE NOOSA CLASSIC CYCLING GRAN FONDO IS COMING TO TOWN! SUNDAY 14 AUGUST 2022 For more information, including road closures and course maps, head to: noosaclassic.com.au/community or email info@noosaclassic.com.au 12562340-MS32-22
30 NOOSA TODAY Friday, 12 August, 2022