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40 Engaging stakeholders Country Energy works closely with local, State and national media, local government and State Members of Parliament to encourage feedback and share information. Regular meetings, print and electronic media articles, advertisements, open days, taking an active role in community groups, making presentations and presenting awards are just some of the tools used. We also have strong links with members of our advisory groups to ensure we keep in touch with customer concerns and needs. Our advisory groups include a Customer Council, Rural Advisory Group and eight Regional Advisory Boards. Customer Council Members meet quarterly to address issues within the community and act as advocates for the diverse spread of demographics they each represent. During the year, three new members joined the council. They were Jan Hudson, Ann Weldon and John Gordon. Their combined strengths and synergies saw positive input in initiatives such as the format of new customer accounts, redesign of a ‘How to pay your energy bill’ brochure and involvement in a green power seminar in conjunction with Dubbo Chamber of Commerce. Customer council members and the groups they represent – John Gordon Robyn Rooth Jan Hudson Sandy McMaster Ann Weldon Dianne Decker Industrial/commercial customers Low income households General consumer groups Customers living in rural/remote areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders People with disabilities Rural Advisory Group Central to our community consultation philosophy, the Rural Advisory Group (RAG) acts as a vehicle to give rural and remote customers a voice. There is no formal legislative requirement to have this forum – we chose to create this unique group to gather feedback and identify issues affecting country people. Members meet quarterly at different locations, visiting various facilities, openings and functions. At the end of 2004, two members were special guests at a two-day employee development workshop in Coonabarabran to give them a better understanding of our objectives and values. Rural Advisory Group members and the groups they represent – John Bestwick Rural producers Steve Burgess Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Murray Fedderson Rural businesses David Hughes Rural producers Pat le Lievre Remote rural customers Chris Crockett Rural producers Joyce Pascoe Country Women’s Association Phillip Woodward Rural producers Regional Advisory Boards Established to represent the unique customer interests in each of our eight regions, the Regional Advisory Boards (RABs) are convened by regional management teams and meet quarterly to receive briefings on our range of products, activities and network improvements. Meetings often include site visits and tours of facilities. Members are from a variety of backgrounds, from local government, chambers of commerce and the media to minority and community groups. Future goals – expand our community consultation philosophy to the Far West region following the merger. Helping communities thrive Our community sponsorship program reflects Country Energy’s position as a responsible corporate citizen and gives the 1,500 communities we serve the support they need to grow. With more than 3,300 employees living and working in the communities we serve, this gives us a vested interest in seeing them thrive. In 2004-2005, we invested more than $1.7 million on over 1,000 environmental, social, sporting, educational, business, research, arts and cultural partnerships, donations and in-kind support initiatives. We plan to spend a similar amount in 2005-2006. For many years, our employees have raised additional funds for charities and local community groups such as Camp Quality, Ronald McDonald House and the Cancer Council, by donating their time and wages or hosting fundraisers. We also mounted a Country Energy tsunami appeal in January 2005, which raised a total of $20,684 for Oxfam Community Aid Abroad’s Earthquake Tsunami Emergency Appeal. COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005
Sponsorship spend $82,424 $125,000 $84,094 $23,585 Arts Cause Related Community $20,088 Education $501 Entertainment $1,600 Environment $12,197 $7,400 $3,469 $24,950 $90,571 $500,554 Expos Field Days Home Shows Indigenous Other Sports Not detailed 41 Note: Does not include donations or in-kind support The overall community sponsorship program compliments our dedication to integrating regional development into all of our daily operations and management processes. Sponsorship is just one way that Country Energy contributes to development skills and resources in country and coastal New South Wales. Examples of our range of sponsorships and their community benefits include – • $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape Painting – acclaimed as Australia’s richest annual landscape competition and culminating in an exhibition at Sydney Opera House in November 2004. The prize supports regional art galleries and raises the profile of regional artists who are often isolated from city galleries, buyers, contacts and networks • Regional tours of the Sydney Opera House’s Babies Proms – delivering an otherwise out of reach experience to thousands of country and coastal kids over the past two years • Bush poetry competition, Tamworth’s Country Music Festival – the most prestigious event of its kind in Australia, attracting more than 700 aspiring poets and writers • Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, Pro-Ag, PRIMEX, Murrumbidgee Farm Fair, AgQuip Field Day, Henty Machinery Field Days – showcasing local businesses and the latest products and services for the rural community. An ideal forum to promote Country Energy products and energy efficiency, vegetation management and public safety messages • Property Planning Competition with Namoi and Border Rivers/Gwydir Catchment Management Authorities – giving local agriculture students the opportunity to learn about and influence sustainable farm resource management • Country Energy Adventure Trek – a fundraiser car rally through regional New South Wales to raise money for Starlight Children’s Foundation • Patchs Beach Dune Care – donation of a lawn mower to help volunteers maintain the beach area and stop regrowth of unwanted weeds • Lifeline Central West – funded seminars on adolescent issues and conflict resolution, family and relationship issues, child protection, youth grieving through the loss of a loved one and suicide prevention and intervention • Dubbo City Chamber of Commerce’s Rhino Outstanding Business Awards – recognising business excellence, providing inspiration and setting benchmarks for best practice COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005
Page 1 and 2: Becoming Australia’s leading util
Page 3 and 4: Priorities in 2004-2005 Country Ene
Page 5 and 6: A leader in safety 5 COUNTRY ENERGY
Page 7 and 8: Detailed audit schedules have been
Page 9 and 10: Workers compensation In addition to
Page 11 and 12: A successful national retailer 11 C
Page 13 and 14: Looking inside We recognise that ou
Page 15 and 16: This resulted in the campuses reduc
Page 17 and 18: The best network manager 17 COUNTRY
Page 19 and 20: The table below highlights some exa
Page 21 and 22: • Large snowfalls in the Snowy Mo
Page 23 and 24: Vegetation management The managemen
Page 25 and 26: Information services In addition to
Page 27 and 28: A responsible environmental manager
Page 29 and 30: One of the most rewarding aspects o
Page 31 and 32: Our increasing involvement in proje
Page 33 and 34: Waste management A code of practice
Page 35 and 36: A valued part of the community 35 C
Page 37 and 38: Increased presence Our program of r
Page 39: Nu 1000 0 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-
Page 43 and 44: An employer of choice 43 COUNTRY EN
Page 45 and 46: Apprentices by region / operational
Page 47 and 48: Employees also initiated a fundrais
Page 49 and 50: Employee assistance program Country
Page 51 and 52: Our Executive Craig Murray - Managi
Page 53 and 54: Director Current appointment Board
Page 55 and 56: Risk management Country Energy appr
Page 57 and 58: Executive remuneration At the end o
Page 59 and 60: Consultants A total of $1.3 million
Page 61 and 62: • Electricity Industry Act 2000 N
Page 63 and 64: Financial statements contents Indep
Page 65 and 66: Statement by Members of the Board 6
Page 67 and 68: Statement of Financial Position as
Page 69 and 70: Notes to the Financial Statements f
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Notes to the Financial Statements f
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Customer information The following
Page 99 and 100:
Index A Achievements inside cover A
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