General News
31 May, 2026
Exorbitant power bills
ERGON Energy is assuring Cassowary Coast customers that it has not been intentionally over-estimating power bills when meter reads have had to be “skipped.”
Ergon has responded after a number of social media comments on an Innisfail page which recounted how customers had recently been hit with dramatically higher power bills than normal.
One post was led with the question: “Is anyone else’s electricity bill double to triple to what they usually get?”
The same person added how, in a household of two adults and one child, their bill had averaged $320 “on the last three bills”, but was followed by a much higher one of $800 – even though airconditioners or dishwashers are not used – “only lights, TV, washing machine.”
“From 11/4/26-11/5/26 our bill went up another $1116.69 in a month,” one poster said.
“The exact same has happened to us,” another responded.
“And we don’t use a dishwasher or aircons, out most of the day. Rang Ergon and it was shrugged off as ‘check all your appliances’.” Another Ergon customer, who said she lived on her own, reported a $680 bill and asked the power company to check readings.
“So, my new bill was zero dollars with an $85 credit,” she said. “If I didn’t question it and paid I would have been cheated a lot of dollars. If you’re unsure call them out to check. Mine was a guess also.”
Another responder to the social media post advised others to ask for paper copies of their “last six” bills.
“They were not happy but sent them ... now they are looking into the extra charged ... if we all do this perhaps something will change.”
An Ergon spokesman said about 92% of Cassowary Coast customer meters were successfully read in the most recent round.
“Skipped meter reads, which lead to estimated bills, can be caused by a range of factors, including severe weather events, unrestrained dogs at the property, locked gates and other meter access issues,” she said.
“After dozens of dog-related incidents every year in Queensland, including injuries requiring medical treatment, meter reading contractors cannot take any chances if safe entry to a property is not guaranteed.
“If customers have a basic meter and they receive an estimated bill, they can provide their own read and request an adjusted bill.
“Whether a customer’s electricity consumption is overestimated or underestimated, the next bill based on an actual meter read will account for that.
“Around 50% of customers across the Cassowary Coast have had smart meters installed and customers can request a smart meter online any time (through Ergon Energy’s website).” Ergon also advises that retail customers can use their ‘my account’ tools at anytime to check their usage online.
Read More: Cassowary Coast