General News
4 July, 2026
Lower power bills promised across region
THE next power bills in households and at businesses across the Cairns region should fall by up to 8.1% from this week as Ergon Energy passes on savings.
Lower power prices under the state government’s ‘Energy Roadmap Price Drop’ were due to start from 1 July.
The Queensland Competition Authority, which sets the regulated retail electricity price for regional Queensland each year, has determined that wholesale electricity costs would drop by up to 6.9% for regional households and 8.1% for small businesses from July 1.
Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki, who was in Cairns on Tuesday, said regional Queenslanders would have lower power bills for the first time in “a long time”.
“Our energy road map is delivering downward pressure on power prices and from tomorrow (1 July) Queenslanders will feel the benefit.”
It is understood the savings could be “hundreds of dollars” each year.
For example, according to Ergon Energy for a median home on tariff 11 the saving will be about $151 a year.
“We’ve done our bit and now retailers across the rest of Queensland now must do theirs,” Mr Janetzki said.
He said the energy watchdog would be holding energy retailers accountable to passing on power price drops to all Queenslanders.
“Lower power prices should be more money in the pockets of Queenslanders, not lining the pockets of corporates,” he said.
Preston Fresh Seafood in Smithfield has an $11,000 monthly electricity bill.
Owner Max Pantacchini said the price decrease would have a “serious impact” on the family-owned business.
“The saving that we’re going to have will make a serious impact, which means that we’ll be able to save a good amount of money to give a better service, maybe employ more people,” he said.
Barron River MP Bree James said power bills were the biggest cost for small businesses and the government was “doing what we can to reduce costs for small businesses”.
