Gas-related complaints to the NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman soared in 2015-16.
NSW families are struggling with growing gas bills and poor customer service, with the number of gas customers on hardship payment programs jumping by more than 50 per cent in the past year.
The overall number of complaints to the state's Energy and Water Ombudsman fell by 22 per cent to 23,760 in the past financial year, but the proportion relating to gas grew from 18 per cent to 24 per cent, according to the annual report.
While the number of electricity customers on hardship programs rose by 8 per cent between June 2015 and March this year, the number of gas customers jumped by an astonishing 52 per cent.
"Unfortunately, the availability of payment plans and hardship programs has not led to fewer [energy>[/embedp>
