MORE jobs could soon be lost from one of the region's largest employers.
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Networks NSW yesterday said up to 4600 jobs could be culled from the state's three electricity providers, including 1500 from Essential Energy.
The claim comes after the Australian Energy Regulator yesterday released its five year draft revenue determination in which it proposed reducing operating costs.
Networks NSW boss Vince Graham has hit back by saying AER is "proposing to reduce network maintenance costs and argues customers should accept more local blackouts and be later compensated".
"These local blackouts will inevitably occur on the hottest summer days of the year."
Mr Graham said in addition to a loss of 1500 Essential Energy jobs, Networks NSW will be unable to provide employment for 750 apprentices upon graduation.
The Electrical Trades Union and United Services Union said the AER's actions, and subsequent job cuts, could breach the Fair Work Act.
"For the federal regulator to impose cuts so far in excess of what the electricity network businesses themselves recommended, without any risk assessment on the impact to safety and reliability, reveals a complete failure to consider the public interest," said the ETU's state secretary Steve Butler.
The USU's energy manager, Scott McNamara, said the regulator had not acknowledged what happens when the network can't meet demand.
"In Victoria, more than 100 lives were lost on Black Saturday in bushfires a royal commission found were sparked by poor maintenance of the electricity network," Mr McNamara said.
"The AER would see a reduction of $460 million in the next four years in the money spent on managing vegetation around power lines to reduce bushfire risk."
An industry source said it was about getting the balance right, "but when you start cutting too close then necessary things like safety and jobs go".
The community and stakeholders are able to make submissions on the draft proposal until the middle of January, before it becomes binding in April.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the National Party will discuss the best submissions to make so that any proposed change "doesn't have a negative impact in our community".
While the distributors share the AER's desire to help customers' bottom lines, Mr Graham said the proposals "are not practical, possible or legal."
