New Council members
The Chair welcomed the following committee members to the NETCC Council:
- Rachael Wilkinson, Senior Advisor of the Energy Efficiency Council. Rachael is focused on strategic technology.
- Genevieve Kelly, Chair of the Solar Citizens Board who is joining the Council as a Consumer Representative.
- Con Hristodoulidis, Policy Director for Distributed Energy at the Clean Energy Council.
The Chair advised that Jacqueline Crawshaw, representing Energy Consumers Australia, is being seconded to the Federal Government to work on an energy project. Energy Consumers Australia will nominate an alternative representative on the NETCC Council.
Administrator update
- The program has received 450 new applications in the current financial year (FY24). Since January 2024, the monthly new application volume is trending within 10% of the new forecast.
- As of 30 August 2024, there are currently 1,640 approved Signatories of the code. The number of newly approved Code Signatories has offset the number of Signatories who have resigned from the Code. The program has received more applications from retailers based in NSW as a result of three local government sustainability rebate schemes, from Randwick City Council, City of Bankstown Canterbury and the Shellharbour City Council. The local government programs have included the NETCC as a requirement for their sustainability rebate schemes.
- Compliance statistics identified the top three areas of complaint types being (1) Signatory complaints handling (2) Compliance with the Code, and (3) Contracts.
- The NETCC Audit program commenced in August 2024. This program involves two audit types - a Competency Questionnaire which consists of questions designed to test the Code Signatories’ knowledge of the Code, and a Robust Audit, which will involve a more in-depth review of the Code Signatories’ sales and marketing practices, and a sample of contracts with customers to assess compliance with the Code’s requirements.
ACCC reauthorisation
Key updates in regard to the NETCC Industry Consultation on the proposed Code Amendments for reauthorization of the Code by the ACCC included:
- 4-week consultation commenced on 29 August 2024
- Communications were sent per the consultation communications plan to over 1,900 recipients including current Code Signatories and consumer and industry representatives.
- The Administrator will review the feedback received from respondents and will circulate a report for review by Council.
Other business
Hot Water Heat Pumps
The Council discussed inclusion of hot water heat pumps in the Code, the need for collaboration with relevant authorities, and access to existing industry standards. The Administrator will pursue these avenues while considering a holistic approach to heat pump integration, encompassing both technical and consumer-facing aspects of the code. This would include minimum efficiency standards, how heat pump products are presented, installation practices, and potential misrepresentations made to customers regarding product functionality.
Monitoring and Compliance Panel
Gerard Brody has resigned from the Code Monitoring and Compliance Panel following his appointment to the Essential Services Commission. The Chair, in collaboration with the Chair of the Panel are reviewing potential candidates to fill the vacant role on the Panel.
External dispute resolution
Follow up with the Energy Ombudsman network to be undertaken regarding the coverage of new energy tech customer complaints.
Next meeting
Next meeting to be held on 3 December 2024.
