Peak industry body Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has warned Queenslanders that Government-owned energy corporations are causing unnecessary delays by refusing to connect electricity to terrace homes.
MEA CEO Kate Raymond said her team has been working with Energy Queensland Limited, encompassing Energex and Ergon, for months to resolve connection issues that have been impacting families moving into new homes, but the Government-owned body won’t budge.
“At a time when Queensland is in a housing crisis, it makes no sense for Energy Queensland to refuse to connect new terrace houses. Electrical contractors are conforming with wiring rules in accordance with the Australian Standards and confirmed by the electrical regulator to be compliant,” Ms Raymond said.
“Energy Queensland is adding unnecessary red tape by requiring an independent engineer certifying matters that go beyond the Australian Standard requirements.
Energy Qld is acting on the basis of an interpretation of the Standard that no other body in Australia has. They have formed a view that if there is a connecting construction element between the terrace homes, then the individual connections cannot be made. This is contrary to what is happening in other States and was previously happening without concern in Queensland.
“This is exacerbating the housing crisis while also seeing sparkies exposed to non-payment during a cost-of-living crisis.
“Terrace houses offer an affordable housing solution for many families who prefer not to have a body corporate. But in Queensland, the government-owned energy corporation has made a decision that this housing type is not allowed here.
“MEA has been trying to get a resolution to this issue for months. We have had the QLD electrical safety regulator confirm the wiring is compliant and safe. We have confirmed with other States that they consider the wiring to be in accordance with the Australian Standard as well.
“Energy Queensland is trying to force Queenslanders to purchase strata-titled townhouses instead of freehold terrace houses.”
Ms Raymond said she is disappointed Energy Queensland has been unable to see reason, and is calling on the Queensland Government to inform designers and builders urgently not to progress terrace houses in Queensland until this issue is resolved.
“If the houses can’t be connected to the network, designers and builders need to urgently know that these terraces can’t be built.
“We are talking with other peak industry bodies including Master Builders and the HIA to keep them informed.
“Other states are not having this issue. We believe the Queensland government needs to intervene and stop this rogue decision by the government-owned energy corporation.”
Kate Raymond is available for interview.
Please phone The SAS Group on (07) 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.
