SEARCH RESULTS

707 Northern Territory Electricity Commission

Description

The functions of the Commission as set out in the Ordinance were:
(a) to supply electricity within the Northern Territory
;(b) to plan and co-ordinate the generation and supply of electricity in and for the Northern Territory;
(c) to promote the safe use of electricity in the Northern Territory;
(d) to control the supply of electricity in the Northern Territory;
(e) to purchase and sell electricity;
(f) to set and enforce standards of electrical installation, apparatus, equipment, implement or thing used or available for use within the Northern Territory in the generation, reticulation or consumption of electricity
;(g) to enforce standards set under any law in force in the Northern Territory relating to electrical workers or contractors; and
(h) to advise the Minister on all matters concerning electricity.

The Commission was made up of a Chairman and two members, all of whom were appointed by the Administrator. The Chairman was appointed for a period not exceeding 7 years and the members for periods not exceeding 5 years. Although the Ordinance did not come into effect until 1 July 1978, Mr Max Dryer had been appointed Commissioner by 6 June 1978 (Australian Financial Review, 6 June 1978, p.11). Further research is required to determine his date of appointment and the nature of activities prior to 1 July 1978.

On 1 July 1978 approximately 500 staff were transferred from the Commonwealth Department of Construction to the Northern Territory Electricity Commission. The Commonwealth 'works' departments (Works, then Housing and Construction I and then Construction) had been responsible for the supply of electricity (i.e. powerhouses, electricity lines, etc) while the Department of the Northern Territory I had been responsible for the provision of funds. The 'works' component had always been known locally as the Electricity Supply Undertaking (ESU).
Historical agency address
2nd Floor, CML Building, 59 Smith Street, Darwin

Electricity generation and supply became the responsibility of the Power and Water Authority on 27 November 1987.

Creation

Portfolio Controlling

Function/Interest

Organisations

Superior Agencies

Inventory of Series