Residents push for competition in electricity market

GLADSTONE residents have thrown their support behind a campaign to help drive more competition in the regional electricity market.

GLADSTONE residents have thrown their support behind the Big Queensland Electricity Switch campaign to help drive more competition in the regional electricity market.

Big Queensland Electricity Switch on Sunday delivered a 9000-signature document, including 300 signatures from Gladstone residents, to the Acting Minister for Energy Andrew Cripps.

Ergon Energy has the market monopoly in Gladstone and most other regional Queensland towns.

The Big Queensland Electricity Switch was launched in June to help drive competition in Queensland after regulated power prices went up by 22.6%.

Big Switch director of campaign Christopher Zinn said he hoped the State Government would consider the recommendations.

"We want to emphasise how people want access to the benefits sooner rather than later," Mr Zinn said.

Mr Cripps said the government would consider the recommendations made by the Big Switch campaign, but could not provide a time frame on when the changes, if at all, would take place.

"We are very mindful of the ongoing pressure faced by business and by domestic consumers in terms of electricity prices.

"We will be progressing it as soon as we can," Mr Cripps said.