Ku-ring-gai Council Mayor Ian Cross has criticised the State Government’s slashing of the Solar Bonus Scheme.
Mr Cross said the cut was a “short-sighted move” that has “unfairly shifted the goalposts” for environmentally conscious residents who have already installed solar panels.
Eligible participants entered into contracts in “good faith” and now find the tariff for energy they return to the grid will be cut from 60 cents to 40 cents, according to Mr Cross.
Mr Cross said he was advised to speak with the Coalition’s environment spokeswoman before installing the panels.
“Following my discussions with her, I and my neighbours went ahead and signed up to the scheme,” Mr Cross said.
Mr Cross said he is not concerned with his own situation; instead the “real issue” is the impact of the cuts on the community.
“It really amounts to a breach of contract but more worryingly, the Government intends to wind down the entire scheme,” Mr Cross said.
According to Mr Cross, the Ku-ring-gai local government area is Sydney’s largest consumer of electricity, mainly due to the high proportion of large homes.
Ku-ring-gai Council approved a one million dollar energy initiative aiming to cut the community’s greenhouse emissions by 20 per cent over the next ten years.
Mr Cross said the State Government’s move will be a “major” disincentive for residents to switch to renewable energy.
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