Page 4 - PR Mag May19

Dogs and Meter Readers: Finding a Solution to
Keep Both Happy!
If your meter reader can’t get to the box to read your
meter because of your dog, the Government has now
got a solution to keep everyone happy.
Energex has launched a new, improved online service for
customers who want to do self-meter reads.
“Your dog can be great for security or as a companion to the
family, but sometimes they can be a real problem for the man
Freshwater Creek Corridor Network Kallangur or woman needing to read your electricity meter,” said Chris
The Freshwater Creek corridor network at Kallangur Whiting MP.
contains an important natural area and parkland “There were 71 injuries to meter readers from dog bites, and
linkages for our community. I am pleased to have 199 other incidents and close-calls between July 2017 and
worked with Council to improve our green corridor connectivity October 2018.
between Alice Mawson Reserve and Jim Akers Reserve - where “And we know estimated meter read dates can be a source of
Marsden Road meets Sylvester Drive. frustration for customers.
The existing buildings at 1 Sylvester Drive were purchased by “So our solution is that if a meter reader visited your property
Council some time ago and will now be removed to expand the and access to your meter was restricted or unavailable, you can
park for our community and improve fauna habitat for our local now login and submit your own read online that same day.
wildlife. New planting will be undertaken, leaving room for a “Once the reading has been validated, the network business
“Kick & Throw” play space. will pass it on to the customer’s electricity retailer,” said
Chris Whiting.
While self-meter reads have long been an option for authorised
customers in remote areas or on properties where meter access
is challenging, online services will now be available to any
account-holder who receives an estimated read or wants to
avoid an estimate.
Customers wanting to submit self-meter reads can log onto
www.energex.com.au/selfmeterread and register for the service.

Half of Guide Dog Handlers Refused Entry or
Service
According to a new national user survey, 1 in 2 Guide
Dog handlers are still being refused access to businesses
and transport services when accompanied by their
Guide Dogs.
Guide Dogs Queensland Chief Executive Officer Michael Kightley
said public education and greater accountability by service
providers to educate their staff is key to making a positive change.
“Some handlers continue to face barriers when going about their
daily lives – it’s time-consuming, frustrating and embarrassing
for the individual involved, especially when in company,” Mr
Kightley said.
In Queensland, a Guide Dog in harness or in a recognised training
coat is legally allowed to enter all publicly accessible places and
transport services. It is an offence under the Guide, Hearing and
Assistance Dogs Act 2009 to deny or charge a fee for entry.