❓ A Member of Parliament questions Western Power regarding billing irregularities and meter reading accuracy in Wyndham, following customer complaints about extended billing periods. The Minister assures that billing periods are returning to normal and outlines meter reading procedures and accuracy checks.
AnsweredQoN 408Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In a Western Power Wyndham Newsletter No. 2, February 2003, it states that the February meter readings have been completed and accounts have been issued to all customers and advise that the previous billing period was lengthier than usual ie. 88 days instead of 60 days -
(1) Would the Minister please advise then, why the local residents of Wyndham are still receiving their accounts over a period of even up to 90 days instead of the stated 60 days?
(2) Would the Minister also advise the House what equipment is used by Western Power staff to read the electricity meters in Wyndham?
(3) By whatever method is used to read these meters, would the Minister be confident in saying that the recorded readings are in fact accurate?
(1) Would the Minister please advise then, why the local residents of Wyndham are still receiving their accounts over a period of even up to 90 days instead of the stated 60 days?
(2) Would the Minister also advise the House what equipment is used by Western Power staff to read the electricity meters in Wyndham?
(3) By whatever method is used to read these meters, would the Minister be confident in saying that the recorded readings are in fact accurate?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 March 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
13 days
Western Power recognised that the longer billing period and the resulting larger electricity bills would have an impact on many customers. Western Power has negotiated payment arrangements with customers experiencing difficulties in paying the full account by the due date. Western Power advised Wyndham customers in writing of the changes to the billing period for their February accounts. Bills have been sent to all Wyndham customers whose meters were due to be read in February. The billing period has now returned to the usual 56 to 60 day period. (2) Western Power records meter readings via a hand held computer, with the reading entered while the meter reader is at the meter box to confirm accuracy. Manual records are occasionally taken, for example when the meter reader has yet to be trained in the use of the hand held computer. (3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
Bills have been sent to all Wyndham customers whose meters were due to be read in February. The billing period has now returned to the usual 56 to 60 day period. (2) Western Power records meter readings via a hand held computer, with the reading entered while the meter reader is at the meter box to confirm accuracy. Manual records are occasionally taken, for example when the meter reader has yet to be trained in the use of the hand held computer. (3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
(2) Western Power records meter readings via a hand held computer, with the reading entered while the meter reader is at the meter box to confirm accuracy. Manual records are occasionally taken, for example when the meter reader has yet to be trained in the use of the hand held computer. (3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
(3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
Bills have been sent to all Wyndham customers whose meters were due to be read in February. The billing period has now returned to the usual 56 to 60 day period. (2) Western Power records meter readings via a hand held computer, with the reading entered while the meter reader is at the meter box to confirm accuracy. Manual records are occasionally taken, for example when the meter reader has yet to be trained in the use of the hand held computer. (3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
(2) Western Power records meter readings via a hand held computer, with the reading entered while the meter reader is at the meter box to confirm accuracy. Manual records are occasionally taken, for example when the meter reader has yet to be trained in the use of the hand held computer. (3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
(3) All meter readers undertake extensive training and are required to pass a meter reading accuracy test before they commence recording customer meter readings. All readings are automatically checked against the typical reading for that customer and time of the year and any significant variances are reported for review. Customers with concerns about their electricity account can speak with a Western Power Customer Service Representative by telephoning 13 13 53.
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