The unrelenting increase in power bills is taking its toll in regional Queensland with disconnections of small businesses jumping 82% in just one year, according to the Queensland Electricity Users Network.
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QEUN Coordinator Jennifer Brownie said statistics released by the Australian Energy Regulator show that 698 small businesses were disconnected by Ergon Energy last financial year for non-payment.
“What is really alarming is that small business disconnections rose 17% in Queensland but 82% in regional Queensland,” she said.
“Regional businesses are being forced by the government to pay up to 30% more for electricity compared to the southeast.”
She said the Queensland Government increased power bills for small business again on July 1.
“Our recent survey indicated that almost 50% of businesses in regional Queensland were experiencing moderate to severe difficulties paying their power bills in full and on time,” she said.
“For some regional communities a disconnected business could have far reaching financial and social consequences as some businesses are the lifeblood of a town.”
The Queensland Government has increased electricity prices for regional Queensland businesses and farmers by more than 15% in two years.