Customer Consultative Committee (CCC)

Understanding and delivering for communities is central to who we are at Ausnet. We're committed to listening, continuously improving, and keeping customers at the heart of everything we do.

In “bringing the energy”, we understand that our customers expect us to deliver energy reliably and safely, but to also do so in ways that supports their individual needs, aspirations and future plans.

Our Customer Consultative Committee ensures the voices of our communities and customers are heard, bringing AusNet senior leaders, and community representatives together for vital discussions about our current and future plans.

The purpose of the Customer Consultative Committee is to:

Act as a "sounding board": Provide feedback and challenge AusNet to improve customer outcomes.

Ensure customers are at the centre: Advocate for customer interests in decision-making processes.

Collaborate with AusNet: Work together to shape the future of AusNet's services and operations.

Topic covered by the CCC

Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Engaging on AusNet’s performance and progress against commitments
  • Being a formal escalation point if/as needed for various other AusNet forums
  • Engaging in conversations on customer experience improvements, the design of new services and/or approaches and/or prioritisation of activities
  • Engaging with customer feedback and challenging AusNet to “do more” to put customers and communities at the centre of its business
  • Engaging with feedback provided by customers and stakeholders for the CCC’s consideration
  • Occasionally reviewing documents and providing written feedback between regular CCC meetings
  • Participating in occasional community events to hear customers’ feedback first-hand
  • Engaging on other topics of importance as required, including:
    • Topics raised by Committee members
    • Reviewing grant applications
    • Engaging on various policy positions

Committee Members

The CCC’s members include customer and community representatives and AusNet senior leaders. While the committee works alongside relevant AusNet staff, it will remain independent from AusNet’s business structure.

We have maintained a Customer Consultative Committee for 8 years and have recently refreshed the committee members following a recruitment process in early 2025.

The current members of the Customer Consultative Committee are:

  • Blake Edwards, an AusNet customer from North-East Victoria
  • Carole Hammond, an AusNet customer and Executive Officer of the Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance, representing the local government sector
  • Chris Harvey, an AusNet customer from South Gippsland
  • Damian Sullivan, leader of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) energy advocacy team
  • Darren McCubbin, an AusNet customer and CEO of the Gippsland Climate Change Network
  • Gavin Dufty, an AusNet gas customer and leader of St Vincent de Paul’s (Vinnies’) energy advocacy team
  • George Trojan, an AusNet customer representing the Emerald Village Association
  • Jeff Nottle, an AusNet customer from The Bass Coast
  • Leigh Clemow, an AusNet customer representing the Energy Users’ Association of Australia
  • Piang Lilian, an AusNet customer and small business owner, and President of the Chin Community Victoria Inc.
  • Tricia Hiley, an AusNet customer and Coordinator of Totally Renewable in Mallacoota (TRiM).


Additionally, we have two Industry Representatives:

  • Kurt Kreltszheim of NBN, representing the telecommunications sector
  • Liam Jones of AGL, representing the Australian Energy Council

Committee activities and insights

Below are high-level summaries of agendas and discussions covered by the CCC. To respect individual contributions and encourage open dialogue, meeting minutes will remain confidential. Additionally, certain agenda items are not shared publicly due to their politically sensitive nature, unsuitability for public dissemination, or relevance only to an internal audience.

At the March meeting, the Committee covered the following topics:

  • Looking ahead to 2030
  • The role of the CCC
  • Ways of working
  • Community perceptions of AusNet
  • Strategic communications

Find out more here: March 2025 meeting summary

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