Regional Projects - September 2014

Regional Projects Coordinator, Daniela Gambotto...

I am sad to say that this will be my last update for the FNQROC newsletter.  My family has decided to make a move south and so my days with FNQROC will sadly come to an end mid-September.

However, I haven't hung up the boots yet and will continue our efforts to get some positive gains for FNQ in the world of street lighting and energy regulation.  So what have I been up to and what have I got planned for the next few weeks?  Here's the run down:

Queensland Energy Distribution Reset

With the deadline for submissions to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) fast approaching, we have been keeping up our efforts to engage with both Ergon Energy and the AER to ensure our issues are addressed in the upcoming distribution reset.  FNQROC and a number of other FNQ stakeholders recently participated in a videoconference with the AER.  The Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP), which is chartered with assisting consumers to understand the complex world of energy regulation, were present for this meeting and provided some very useful advice in relation to the upcoming submissions.  Given the magnitude of these distribution reset submissions (anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 pages – yes, you read it right!) the CCP is there to help us find what we are looking for without getting overwhelmed by these mammoth documents.

Unfortunately for us, the CCP presentation was centred around the Energex customer base. However, we requested the CCP prepare a similar range of material for those in the Ergon Energy network.  They have kindly obliged and we will be reconvening with the AER and CCP early September to hear more about what to look out for in the Ergon submission (due end October 2014).

Ergon Energy Street Lighting Road Show

Meanwhile Ergon Energy made a trip to Atherton to present to the August FNQROC Board meeting to discuss the launch of the street light audit, the upcoming street lighting strategy and all other things street lighting.  The Mayors and CEOs were all very interested in this topic and keen to learn about how further savings can be made for what is one of the region's more costly assets.

Ergon Energy has indicated the draft Service Level Agreement which we have been pushing for is very close to completion and we should have a copy of that by the end of September. Ergon Energy staff also are planning another state wide road show for technical staff on the street lighting strategy and audit.  This should occur mid to late September.

Tariff Review

Further to my report last month regarding the savings made through the tariff review, I have more good news to report.  We were advised by Ergon Energy to resubmit our account details for a revision of our tariff review as a result of the recently repealed carbon tax (our original review was prepared just prior to the repeal of the tax).  The results from this have identified a further $65,000 of annual savings, on top of the $200,000 already calculated for the four participating councils. This information has been passed on to relevant council officers to facilitate those tariff changes.

Regional Mountain Bike Strategy

Further to discussions with the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, we have managed to obtain preliminary approval for funding which will finally allow us to proceed with the development of a Regional Mountain Bike Strategy.  This is something that has long been discussed as a need for the region, so we are very excited about the possibility of this funding coming off. Submissions close at the end of September, and subject to it all being approved, the project will commence in October for completion in February 2015. 

Post mid-September, Darlene will happily be taking over the Events and Street Lighting/Energy Regulation portfolios.

Thanks to everyone I have worked with over the last few years with FNQROC – the street lighting experts, the planners, the sustainability gurus, the events group, the mountain biking mob and of course the FNQROC Board.  It has been fun, challenging and rewarding and I will definitely miss my remarkable FNQROC colleagues who always make my work days enjoyable.

Bye for now!