History

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (ABN 21-079-718-915) was set up in 1998 as the first industry complaints scheme in New South Wales. It is a free, independent service to help people sort out any unresolved problems with their electricity, gas or water supplier.

It began as the Energy Industry Ombudsman NSW (EION) scheme and was set up by the six NSW electricity providers, and the transmission operator.

The founding members of EION had decided that part of good customer service was the provision of a free dispute resolution service that was independent of the industry.

Clare Petre was considered the best person to lead the new organisation, with her extensive experience in the community sector, government and the media.

In early 1998 she left her position as a Senior Assistant Commonwealth Ombudsman to become the first Energy Industry Ombudsman NSW.

In December 1999 Sydney Water joined the scheme and EION was renamed the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON).

EWON now provides a one-stop complaint resolution service for electricity and gas consumers throughout New South Wales and customers of member water providers, Sydney Water, Hunter Water, Country Water and State Water.

Timeline of EWON's history
1996	Structural reform of the electricity industry sees six retailer/distributior entities created as State owned corporations under the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995. The Electricity Association of New South Wales, representing the electricity providers, proposes the establishment of an ombudsman scheme similar to the Victorian Electricity Industry Ombudsman and other industry dispute resolution schemes.
1997	A working group of industry, government and consumer representatives advises on the structure and operation of the new scheme. The Board of Directors of Energy Industry Ombudsman (NSW) Limited, comprising representatives of all members of the scheme, is formally established and registered.
1998	The Council of the Energy Industry Ombudsman NSW meets, comprising Chair Gae Pincus and equal representatives of consumer and industry interests. Clare Petre is appointed Energy Industry Ombudsman NSW and Helen Swan is appointed Business Manager. EION is officially launched by the [then] Minister for Energy, the Hon Bob Debus on 9th June. Along with the Victorian and Tasmanian Electricity Ombudsman schemes, EION establishes the National Electricity Ombudsman Network (NEON). This network evolves to become the Australia & New Zealand Energy and Water Ombudsman Network (ANZEWON). The NSW government regulates to require inclusion of information about EION on all reminder and disconnection notices.
1999	Sydney Water joins the scheme and EION becomes EWON, the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW. The Ombudsman implements a communications strategy to raise awareness of EION in the community, which includes visits to regional and rural NSW.
2000	NSW Ombudsman and EWON sign a Memorandum of Understanding. AGL, a private company gas provider, joins the scheme. Under the Electricity Supply Amendment Act 2000, it becomes a licence condition for all electricity retailers to join an approved ombudsman scheme. EWON’s jurisdiction is extended to cover electricity issues for residents of residential parks, and small businesses supplied by other exempt retailers. Former Deputy Prime Minister Lionel Bowen is appointed Chair of the EWON Council. EWON runs its first outreach program to multicultural communities and promotes its services to Arabic, Chinese, Italian and Vietnamese groups.
2001	Under the Gas Supply Amendment (Retail Competition) Act, it becomes a condition of licence for gas retailers to join an industry approved scheme. The Minister for Energy approves EWON as electricity and gas industry ombudsman for NSW. EWON hosts its first industry and consumer seminar on payment options for customers in hardship and its first forum for member providers. The first independent review of the scheme is conducted, including the first customer satisfaction survey.
2002	Office of Fair Trading and EWON sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The NSW market is opened to full retail competition and second-tier energy retailers join the scheme. Hunter Water joins the scheme.
2003	Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees is appointed Chair of the EWON Council. EWON celebrates its 5th anniversary. EWON appoints its first Indigenous Project Officer to conduct an outreach project to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As part of the Indigenous outreach, Vee Thornbury, a Wiradjuri artist, is commissioned to produce an artwork telling the story of EWON.
2004	EWON hosts a forum where Professor Tony Vinson presents findings from his research report on social disadvantage, Community Adversity and Resilience. Launch of EWON’s revised website featuring an online complaint form in English and 12 community languages.
2005	IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) and EWON sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
2006	EWON hosts a forum for retailers on issues arising from energy marketing.
2007	EWON hosts a forum for retailers and distributors on business-to-business issues impacting on customers.
2008	The Ombudsman meets with the Unsworth Committee regarding its review of the customer impact of the proposed privatisation of state owned energy retailers. EWON hosts a roundtable discussion with second-tier retailers and community advocates.