I am writing to you because I, along with many others in our community, am being targeted by what I believe is gross negligence by Jacana Energy.

​After living in my home for over 15 months and being a registered LOYAL customer, I did not receive a single bill. Suddenly, just weeks before Christmas, I was hit with a debt of over $4,400. Despite Jacana acknowledging the delay was their fault, they are still demanding I pay nearly $1,500 at a rate of $155 per fortnight.

​As a single parent and domestic violence survivor on a fixed income, this is a "choice" between keeping the lights on or feeding my child.

​After posting my situation on the Alice Springs Community Forum, I have discovered that I am not alone. Many other locals have responded saying they have experienced the same "delayed billing" trap, where Jacana fails to bill for months and then demands thousands of dollars back in an instant.

​I am calling for Jacana Energy to be held accountable for their administrative failures. They should not be allowed to force Alice Springs families into financial hardship to fix their own technical errors.

Jacana Energy has been failing to issue electricity bills to Alice Springs residents for periods of 6, 12 and15 months. They then issue 'catch-up' bills for thousands of dollars and demand immediate, unaffordable payment plans.

​We, the undersigned, call on Jacana Energy and the NT Minister for Renewables and Energy to:

1. ​Waive all debts older than 6 months caused by Jacana's billing delays.
2. ​Accept affordable payment offers (e.g., $20-$30/fortnight) from vulnerable customers.
3. ​Stop the threat of disconnection for families affected by these 'catch-up' bills.

​We should not have to pay for Jacana’s mistakes with our grocery and rent money!