The Queensland Government has announced a new Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) following the retirement of Barry Adams.


Mr Forbes Smith, who is currently Queensland's Deputy Ombudsman, has been appointed to the role.


He will start as EWOQ on 4 July 2011 and will facilitate the dispute resolution process for water and energy customers.


EWOQ is designed to provide an effective, efficient and confidential dispute resolution service for residential and small business energy customers across Queensland and residential and small business water and wastewater customers in the south east.


EWOQ was established by the Queensland Government to assist consumers who were unable to settle disputes with energy and water distributors and retailers.