Power firm on notice

IPSWICH City Council says it will change its electricity providers if it is hit with unjustified price rises.

Mayor Paul Pisasale: "We'll be telling our retailer that we're watching.". Picture: Sarah Harvey

IPSWICH City Council says it will change its electricity providers if it is hit with unjustified price rises.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said the council was ready to follow in the footsteps of the State Government, which is cancelling Origin Energy contracts after it increased its tariffs by an average of about 20%.

The council, whose electricity is provided by Q Energy, will spend $4.92 million on power in the 2012-13 financial year.

"If you try any shenanigans with the people of Ipswich's money you can bet we'll be shopping around," Cr Pisasale said.

"We'll be telling our retailer that we're watching."

But Cr Pisasale said he was not bracing for a large rise in the council's power bill, although the cost of street lighting was expected to rise by 7%.

"But I support what Campbell is doing and I'd encourage everyone to look around to find the best deal," Cr Pisasale added.

Origin Energy has previously cited the introduction of the carbon tax as one of the causes of its hefty price increases this year.

The City Council claimed that about half of the 4% rise in this year's rates was also attributable to the new tax.

Q Energy was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Originally published as Power firm on notice