Power to the people: energy supply and improving the governance of residential parks in NSW

PIAC made this submission in response to the Fair Trading NSW discussion paper Improving the governance of residential parks. PIAC’s comments focus on comparing the existing rules governing the supply of electricity to permanent residents of residential parks with the new regulations that will come into force with the introduction of the National Energy Consumer Framework. PIAC identifies several areas where it believes consumer protections for residents will be eroded (including compensation for delays in connection and the potential for rental payments to be credited towards outstanding energy debts to park owners) and suggests ways in which the Residential Parks Act 1998 (NSW) could be amended to preserve these protections. The submission includes an appendix with an in-depth comparison of the existing and future rules governing the supply of electricity to permanent residents of residential parks.