Energy Matters Forums

[Yortt]

The only problem with going off the grid is I am sure they will come up with something like a "Service Availability Charge" if it is at the front of your property. Governments have let big business lose on us and there is no stopping them.

[Warpspeed]

All they need to do is add a "utilities" charge on to all the other service charges on your council rates, then we are screwed.
But I agree, the only way to win is to go totally off grid and have them disconnect the power onto the property.

[davidg]

I am sure they will come up with something like a "Service Availability Charge" if it is at the front of your property. Governments have let big business lose on us and there is no stopping them.

Actually they could do it when it was controlled by council or state government.

However once they allowed "privatisation" the rules changed, you cannot be compelled to pay a private company unless you "signup" in someway for a service. Only the government has the specific right to bill for a service not actually supplied.

Before someone pipes up with water as an example, it in Victoria can be disconnected, because it is privatised. It's also the most well hidden bit of information online there is, or more to the point not mentioned bit of info anywhere online, however you can in fact disconnect it.