Wagga’s state election candidates have criticised the region’s absence from the scheme, which pays households up to $1000 for purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner.

NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said last month that the rebate program was “expected to return a statewide power bill saving of around $20 million” 

However, the state government’s website for the scheme did not list any accredited installers in the Wagga or Albury postcodes, preventing Wagga residents from taking part. 

A spokesman for Ms Upton said there were “four installers currently being processed” for the Wagga and Albury region.

“We are waiting for them to complete their online registration and training,” he said.

“Once they have done this, they will be able to accept installation jobs.”

Wagga MP Joe McGirr said he had been told by the government that Wagga installers should be available within a week.

“It’s disappointing that the scheme was announced without anyone who was applicable here,” he said.

“I think the initiative is good.

“We get quite a few inquiries from constituents, particularly in social housing, about air conditioning and its a real issue with heat illness, which is the main threat we face in climate change.”

Wagga Labor candidate Dan Hayes said he was concerned that Wagga households could miss out on the “limited time” rebate scheme.

“This rebate con is a cruel hoax on the people of regional NSW and shows yet again the wrong priorities of the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government,” he said.

“I said during the byelection that this Government couldn’t find Wagga on the map, this again proves it.”

Wagga Nationals candidate Mackenna Powell said she was “disappointed” in Wagga’s current exclusion.

“I am very disappointed, and it is unacceptable that this has not been rolled out in our regions as yet,” she said.

“This is exactly why we need more Nationals in government in regional areas to represent our people and stand up for the regions.

“We cannot leave these decisions to Sydney based politicians and continue to miss out.”

Shooters, Farmers and Fishers candidate Seb McDonagh said the government had wasted time by not running accreditation through an air conditioning industry group.

“By not using a group like ARCtick, all of the Wagga installers have been disadvantaged,” he said.