Wagga’s Margaret and John Jones’ have spent three nightmare years battling excessive bills for a largely unoccupied farmstead.
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Since 2014, they’ve received bills as high as $2500 for the house in Bimbi, which is rarely used.
In 2013 the bills were around $200-$300 per quarter. But their May-August bill this year is in excess of $800. They’ve requested numerous real reads since May, with Margaret spending countless hours on the phone with foreign call centres.
“It’s like a nightmare,” she said.
“I’ve been very patient, it’s been extremely time consuming and draining.”
Origin confirmed on August 12 and November 8 estimated meter reads were quoted due to “extreme weather conditions” and a locked gate.
However, the customers claim it was a beautiful day and the gate hasn’t been locked for years. They’ve tried to provide detailed maps of access to the property as well as offering to provide their phone numbers to meet staff, but their offers have been refused.
“You can’t go to an office in Wagga, they tell you something different every time you ring them, it doesn’t matter what you say there’s always an excuse,” John said.
Margaret has kept all her bills and detailed notes on correspondence going back 10 years.
“We’re just asking for an actual read, that’s all we want,” she said.
Ryan Auger, spokesman from Origin said while not responsible for reading meters, they work with customers to try and resolve issues.
“Wherever possible, we expect network companies to provide us with timely and accurate meter reads to bill our customers from,” he said.
Essential Energy was unable to discuss the Jones’ account, however, acting regional manager Mark Summers said estimated reads are calculated based on consumption at the site for the same period the year before.
“Any under or over charge will be automatically corrected in the next bill where an actual reading is available,” he said.
The Joneses believe the energy business is taking advantage of country customers. It’s a view backed by NSW Farmers who are now calling for an inquiry into uncompetitive practices by electricity retailers in regional NSW.
”We’re just one lot of people, how many other rural and farm owners are copping it?” John said.
