The Victorian Essential Services Commission has released its March 2024 Victorian Energy Market Report (VEMR), which covers the period from 1 October to 31 December 2023. Published quarterly, the VEMR aims to help customers understand how the energy retail market works and what they need to do to get the best out of it. It also highlights key compliance and […]
The Federal Government has introduced new rules for telecommunications companies designed to better support customers struggling to pay their phone and internet bills. The new Financial Hardship Standard – developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) – means telcos must take all reasonable steps to proactively identify customers who may be experiencing financial hardship, ensure they provide appropriate […]
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its draft determination of the Default Market Offer (DMO) for electricity prices in 2024-25. Known as DMO 6, the draft determination sets out the approach the AER intends to take to determine the final DMO price which will be released in May. The draft determination is subject to public consultation and stakeholder feedback, […]
The Victorian Government’s Essential Services Commission (ESC) has released its draft decision on the 2024–25 Victorian Default Offer and is seeking feedback from the public. The draft decision proposes to reduce the Victorian Default Offer by around $112 (or 6.4 per cent) for residential customers and around $266 (or seven per cent) for small business customers from 1 July 2024. […]
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has revealed that average annual wholesale electricity prices in the National Electricity Market (NEM) fell significantly in 2023 in its latest Wholesale Markets Quarterly Report. Average annual wholesale electricity prices fell by between 44 per cent and 64 per cent, while average annual east coast gas market spot prices fell by 43 per cent in […]
By Rebecca Todesco, Utility Magazine With different sizes, budgets and an array of essential services on offer, it’s normal for utilities and industry organisations to have differing company priorities. In spite of this, a common theme that is shared across the industry is a focus on customer experience and satisfaction. Securing the satisfaction and loyalty of the people it services […]
The New South Wales State and Federal Governments have unveiled a $206 million package for energy saving upgrades in social housing properties, including a number community renewable energy projects. The package includes access to solar for low-income renters and apartment residents. The government said that some social housing properties are among the least energy-efficient homes in the country, often lacking […]
Speed and security are the two principles with which the key management system was developed. The result of an innovative collaboration between Harcor and Amtac, Keys-on-Tap is a new revolutionary key management platform that takes those two core principles to new levels. Keys-on-Tap paves a critical avenue for fleet management and includes capabilities that have never been made accessible before […]
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has reported lower demand for energy and a fall in wholesale electricity and gas prices during the July to September quarter of 2023 in its latest Wholesale Markets Quarterly Report. The report shows average wholesale electricity prices in the National Electricity Market (NEM) were less than half that seen at the same time last year […]
Working with leading telecommunication provider Optus, Spectur has delivered surveillance solutions to protect critical assets from theft and vandalism. After three years of partnering together, Optus and Spectur will extend their collaboration to boost security for vulnerable telecommunication assets and support Optus’s commitment to strengthening mobile network security. Optus has updated its Statement of Works with Spectur through an existing […]
NBN Co is taking action to address the inherent risks climate change poses to its operations, network continuity and service obligations. By embedding sustainability in all its activities, it aims to deliver on its purpose to lift the digital capability of Australia, while enabling long-term social, economic and environmental value for all stakeholders. The company has committed to a target […]
RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is celebrating a major milestone this year – 100 years of designing and building innovative tools trusted on job sites around the world and handed down from generation to generation. To commemorate the occasion, RIDGID will spend the year 2023 celebrating the trades, their impact on our world, and the brand’s legacy. “A […]
In efforts to deliver bill relief to New South Wales households, the State Government has announced the New South Wales Energy Bill Saver program. Under the program, households can receive $250 off their energy bills by simply comparing their current energy deal. They could also unlock up to $400 in further savings by switching energy plans to a lower deal. […]
The most recent Electricity Market Inquiry Report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) reveals electricity retailers are under pressure due to high and volatile wholesale electricity prices. The report presents new analysis on electricity hedging contracts, which are the longer-term, fixed-price contracts that retailers enter with generators so they can on-sell electricity to households and businesses. Hedging contracts […]
Bidding has now opened for water licences in Central Queensland, with online tenders for water from the $367.2 million Rookwood Weir project now available to local farmers and residents. Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, said the second tranche of water licences were now available from the weir, which is currently under construction west of Rockhampton. “The […]
The utility sector is one of the most regulated in the country, if not the world. The quantity and complexity of regulation applying to the industry is increasing daily, as are the penalties for non-compliance. Compliance is moving from an abstract concern to an area requiring direct and focused attention. This article explores four practical ways that leaders in utility […]
Power and energy projects are often large, complex and multi-discipline, and can take years to plan and complete. Making the case for additional capital investment can also take years to go through funding approval, so it’s imperative that your construction projects are delivered with certainty. Your customers count on you to deliver new plants and infrastructure, and maintain or upgrade […]
How do you optimise a level sensor that already has everything: the best focusing, highest accuracy, simple operation and universal communication? What sounds like an obvious question has led VEGA to create much more than just an even better sensor. When using the new VEGAPULS 6X, it’s not just the sensor that counts, but what can be achieved with its […]
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to the flooding crisis experienced yet again in Australia. But there is a common approach that can help mitigate risk and prepare for the future. Conversations following recent flood events have been about how stormwater infrastructure can cope with the levels of water that parts of Byron Bay, Lismore, Brisbane and […]
It’s hard to accurately predict trends and global events – as witnessed with COVID-19 – but one thing that the rest of 2022 is guaranteed to bring is less certainty when it comes to supply chains. The past two years have shone a light on the fragility of the supply chain, demonstrating that even Australia’s largest construction firms are at […]
Boerger has surprised the world of pumps with a new generation of its BLUEline rotary lobe pumps, the BLUEline Nova, with the high-tech pump available in six sizes and with flow rates of up to 110 m3/h. The German manufacturer promises not only excellent volumetric efficiency but also maximum choice of sealing systems. Boerger is well-known for its high-quality rotary […]
After two years of cancelled events due to COVID-19, in-person events are back, including a new dedicated biennial water jet, hydro excavation, drain cleaning and vacuum loading technology exhibition and conference being held this October. The new AUSJET22 conference is presented by the industry’s peak body, the Australasian High-Pressure Water Jetting Association (AUSJET), as well as the Australasian Drain Cleaning […]
When selecting a generator for your project, it’s critical to consider the right unit for optimal performance, specific applications, final installations and genset configurations. FG Wilson generators are designed to meet the unique demands of each project and every unit is built for optimal performance in harsh conditions. These robust units provide enough power to support any application, from national […]
NBN Co has enhanced its Sky Muster Plus satellite services to provide more data for 108,000 households and businesses in regional and rural Australia. These upgrades aim to improve the quality of life for people living and working in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia by reducing data constraints associated with accessing fast and reliable broadband. For the first […]
Coliban Water has invited customers to provide feedback on its draft pricing plan which details intended levels of pricing and investment over the next five years. A formal review process of pricing is completed every five years by the independent Essential Services Commission to ensure the outcomes reached and the bills customers pay recover only what we need. The review […]
The winner for the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Victoria has been announced for 2022, following a competition between Victorian water companies. Melbourne Water with its water from the Cresswell Water Treatment Plant at Healesville has won the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Victoria competition. This is the first time Melbourne Water have won the Victorian title. The […]
SA Water’s redeveloped front counter within its Adelaide CBD-based building will provide a new face-to-face translation service for customers, with in-house interpreters capable of speaking a collective 50 languages. Customers who find it difficult to communicate in English are able to indicate a language they’d prefer to speak – prompting one of the employees, fluent in that language, to help […]
Essential Energy has achieved its three-year accredited certification to ISO 55001 for its Asset Management System, with the utility receiving the accredited certification with no major or minor nonconformities. ISO 55001 is the international standard which defines the requirements for developing, implementing and maintaining a management system for asset management. To achieve accredited certification to ISO 55001 Essential Energy had […]
The Hunter Power Project, a 660MW gas power plant, has officially been granted environmental approval, allowing for construction to begin on the Kurri Kurri-based project. The Federal Government is providing up to $600 million in equity to support the gas-fired power station, after setting a target for an extra 1,000MW of dispatchable energy in New South Wales following the Liddell […]
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