Vic: Complaints to utility watchdog jump 33 per cent
MELBOURNE, Dec 11 AAP - Victoria's energy and water watchdog has reported a 33 percent increase in complaints over the past year.
More than 8,870 complaints were lodged against electricity, gas and water companiesto the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) in the year to June 2002.
Ombudsman Fiona McLeod said while the rise may be due to increased awareness of EWOV- contact details are now printed on bills - the jump in the number of disconnection complaintswas a concern.
"Cases involving the disconnection of electricity or gas supply - whether actual orimminent - due to the non-payment of bills has risen considerably," Ms McLeod said.
Electricity disconnections rose 139 per cent to 586 and gas disconnections jumped 74per cent to 301.
Ms McLeod urged utility retailers to be more flexible in their dealings with customers.
Full competition in electricity began on January 13, 2002, with more than two millionhouseholds and businesses now able to choose their retailer.
Ms McLeod said deregulation accounted for six per cent of electricity inquiries, suchas delayed transfers, overlapping bills and pressure sale techniques.
Retailer Origin Energy Gas accounted for 50 per cent of gas billing inquiries aftera glitch in their billing system affected 27,000 customers.
AAP svm/clr/drp/sb
KEYWORD: UTILITIES
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