9 August 2019
Download this update as a PDF
(pdf, 194.71 KB)
We recently received a number of stakeholder queries about the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) eligibility of installations involving the replacement of faulty heat pumps and failed solar water
4 April 2019
Download this update as a PDF
(pdf, 247.17 KB)
We have made changes to our activity guides to clarify and update a number of requirements for lighting activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
Updates to lighting
Energy distributor AusNet Services has paid $150,000 after allegedly failing to notify customers of a planned power outage.
The Essential Services Commission issued the penalties after finding that the distributor left a mix of residential and business customers in Bass, Woolamai and Glen Forbes without electricity for three hours on 18 July 2018.
This review considered three key regulation matters related to regular and heavy vehicle accident towing:
- Should fees be regulated?
- Are the existing boundaries of the Melbourne controlled and Geelong self-management areas appropriate?
- Should accident towing jobs should be allocated, or should operators should be free to compete for towing jobs?
A water business should remain financially viable so that it can provide services desired by customers. This review aimed to ensure the approach we take to assessing the financial viability of the water businesses best positions us to meet our regulatory obligations.
We reviewed the prices to apply to water and sewerage services provided by Victoria's regional urban, rural water businesses and Melbourne Water (with respect to waterways and drainage charges) for the second regulatory period.
The businesses submitted a water plan for the five year period commencing 1 July 2008.
Related work
Water price review 2013
Melbourne Water applies special drainage prices to properties in the Koo Wee Rup: Longwarry Flood Protection District and Patterson Lakes (including Quiet Lakes and Tidal Waterways areas).
On 30 March 2011, Melbourne Water submitted its 2011-12 price proposal for these special drainage areas. We assessed Melbourne Water’s proposal and released our Prices for Melbourne Water Special Drainage Areas 2011-12: Final Decision.
Our Measuring the Effects of Additional Hardship Allowances document outlines the indicators that water businesses must use to measure the effects of the allowances. This document also outlines the reporting requirements by businesses on these measures.
9 December 2013
Measuring The Effects of Additional Hardship
… modified to improve relevance and usefulness. performance indicators review - final recommendations (pdf, 235.76 kb) resources 23 august 2012 performance indicators review – final recommendations (pdf, 235.76 kb) 19 june 2012 draft recommendations paper – review of water performance report indicators (pdf, 309.17 kb) 31 may 2012 hall & partners report – performance indicators review (pdf, 597.68 kb) 31 may 2012 working group 2 minutes – performance indicators review (pdf, 119.36 kb
In January 2015, the Minister for Finance asked us to conduct a review and report on a local government rates capping and variation framework for implementation from the 2016-17 financial year. Our final report outlines a rate capping and variation framework.
The government released a response to our report.
Our role
The Port of Melbourne must submit a tariff compliance statement to us annually outlining how it has demonstrated compliance with a pricing order (legislation that regulates how the Port of Melbourne sets its prices). Every five years we are required to assess whether there has been any significant and sustained non-compliance with the pricing order.
Between five-yearly reviews, we provide interim commentaries on the tariff compliance
Under the Port Management Act 1995, we are responsible for the economic regulation of shipping channels, berth infrastructure and related port services in Victoria. The Act required us to conduct this review every five years.
The review was conducted in the context of the legislative, regulatory, and ownership arrangements that applied at the time. It did not consider the future potential ownership arrangements of the Port of Melbourne
We audit energy businesses to help us understand how energy businesses are complying with rules designed to protect consumers. If we detect problems through our audit program, we can investigate further and may take enforcement action.
Who we audited
The 2018–19 audit re-examined five energy retailers’ compliance in 2018 following issues found in previous audits.
Retailers audited were:
- Alinta Energy
- Blue NRG
- EnergyAustralia
- Origin
In September 2015, the Victorian Government asked us to examine the true value of distributed generation (electricity generated by sources including solar panels).
The inquiry involved two separate but related stages. The first looked at the energy value of distributed generation (the value of electricity generated from alternative sources, like solar power). The second stage looked at the network value (the value of the electricity to the network as a whole). In both
Related work
PREMO water pricing framework
Our water pricing framework puts customers at the centre of a water business's decision making. We also review how the framework is performing over time.
(, )
We promote the long-term interests of
One of our statutory functions is to administer the licensing of energy retail, distribution, transmission and generation activities. Licensees are required to comply with the conditions of their licences and other obligations, to monitor their compliance and to report compliance breaches. We may require licensees periodically to undertake independent audits of their compliance with their obligations.
In mid-2013, this program of energy retail audits was extended to licensed
Our review included the assessment of capacity control products and the verification of bills for smart meter readings.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways on which we work and live.
We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
As the First Peoples of this land, belonging to the world’s oldest living cultures, we recognise and value their knowledge, and ongoing role in shaping and enriching the story of Victoria
We no longer monitor regional and country taxi faresPrior to July 2018, we published annual monitoring reports assessing the performance of taxis in regional and country Victoria. We no longer have a legislated role to undertake this function.Our reports described trends in fares and costs and identified potential misuses of market power that warrant further investigation. This helped hold taxi operators accountable to the communities they serve.Safe Transport
We have received and assessed one application for a higher cap for 2018-19. Monash City Council applied for a one year higher cap of 3.53 per cent.
We have approved an alternative higher cap of 2.57 per cent, which is 0.32 per cent above the minister’s cap.
Our Monash City Council Decision on Application for a Higher Cap 2018-19 paper outlines our assessment approach and explains how we reached our decision.
We have also published the Monash City Council