SACOSS has a long-standing interest in the delivery of essential services. Our research shows the cost of basic necessities like electricity and water impacts greatly and disproportionately on vulnerable and disadvantaged South Australians. It is vital to ensure access to these services at the lowest possible cost for all consumers, and particularly the most vulnerable.
Over the last 12 months, SACOSS' water research has focused on the specific water supply issues and challenges facing regional and remote communities. SACOSS is now calling for the State Government to undertake a state-wide stocktake of water services in those communities, and to commit to developing a basic level of service for all South Australian towns and communities.
- Download SACOSS' Policy Brief on improving water security in Regional and Remote South Australia.
- Download SACOSS' joint submission as part of a coalition of organisations, on the draft Water Security Statement 2021
As part of our Water Policy Package, SACOSS is also calling for:
- Improved transparency and accountability in determining the amount of revenue SA Water can recover from its customers through the four-yearly regulatory process.
- Revision of the legislation governing water supply charges for renters to align with other states and make landlords responsible for water supply costs (as part of SACOSS' Anti-Poverty Package).
SACOSS has recently undertaken research on access to energy efficiency for low-income renters in South Australia. In 2021, as part of our Energy Policy Package, SACOSS is calling for:
- A residential energy efficiency disclosure scheme
- Improving thermal efficiency of public and community housing
- A pre-disconnection site-visit program, to apply irrespective of meter type
- Expansion of the eligibility criteria for concessions in South Australia to include families issued with a Family Tax Benefit Part A Health Care Card
- Expansion of the eligibility criteria for the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme (EEPS), as well as an increase in the payment amount and frequency.
SACOSS' campaign work on Energy, Water and Climate Change seeks to address the key goals of access, affordability and strengthening consumer protections for vulnerable South Australians by:
- influencing government and businesses in their decision making across the value chain – wholesale, networks and retail
- identifying systemic issues and advocating for policy change and improved consumer protections
- engaging South Australian community members in conversations about the decisions that most impact them
- contributing to national conversations - including through the SACOSS hosted National Consumer Roundtable on Energy and the Annual SACOSS Conference on Energy, Water and Telecommunications.
Further Information
- Read our most recent energy, water and climate change submissions.
- Read our most recent energy, water and climate change reports.
- Find out more about CARF projects.
- Find out more about the National Consumer Roundtable on Energy.
- Access useful consumer information about concessions, emergency relief and other resources to help you manage your energy and water costs.