On 10 June 2025, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) granted a ring-fencing waiver to Ergon Energy from clauses 4.2.1(a), 4.2.2(a) and 4.2.3(a)(i) of the Ring-fencing guideline (electricity distribution) for its Mareeba and Charters Towers depots with a condition on the contestable services that are provided.
This waiver allows Ergon Energy to treat the Mareeba and Charters Towers depots as regional offices for the purposes of ring-fencing up to 30 June 2045. This replaces an existing waiver that expires on 30 June 2025.
The waiver retains the condition imposed on Ergon Energy in the original waiver that apply to the provision of the following services:
contestable metering services, including installation, testing, faults and repairs; and
pole installation, replacement and repairs on customer property.
Our assessment indicates that granting this waiver serves in the long-term interest of consumers of electricity with respect to the quality, safety, reliability and security of supply of electricity.
We consider the duration of this waiver is appropriate as it delivers clear benefits to consumers while mitigating risks associated with the attached condition. The population serviced by these two depots is also unlikely to change. This decision was informed by the low projected population growth in the Mareeba and Charters Towers areas.