Origin Energy prices will go down 0.7 per cent to an average $17 a year from July, though gas prices will increase 5.2 per cent to $46 a year.

While the gas prices remain the lowest in the state, the average annual Albury power bill — at $2416 — is the state’s highest by about $400.

Wagga gas prices jump by 5.8 per cent to $66 a year, with the state average being a hike of 8.5 per cent.

Electricity prices are up 3.2 per cent on average across the state.

The NSW government said it was a turning point after years of damaging increases, but the opposition and consumer advocacy groups said struggling families were still paying too much.

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s Peter Boxall said future gas prices remained unclear.

“We consider that action is required to address policy settings that are leading to higher than necessary gas network prices,” he said.

IPART yesterday released its final report on the proposed average prices that electricity and gas retailers can charge NSW residential and small business customers from July 1.

It hasn’t set firm power prices beyond this year, but these are expected to fall behind inflation next year.

Prices will then plummet by 6.9 per cent from July 2015, when Australia moves to a floating carbon price linked to international markets.

Mr Boxall said the cost of poles and wires costs and green scheme costs had stabilised after several years of rapid growth, while electricity generation costs have fallen.

Energy Minister Chris Hartcher said consumers were finally getting some good news.

“We have finally turned a corner — prices have plateaued with rises less than CPI.”

But Public Interest Advocacy Centre senior policy officer Carolyn Hodge said consumers were being hit with a questionable customer acquisition and retention charge designed to increase competition.

“Artificial incentives for retailers place the burden of higher prices on NSW consumers, while the rewards go to the retailers,” she said.

Opposition Leader John Robertson said there had been price hikes in 2011, last year and this year and this winter “many families will be forced to turn the heating off in order to stop their finances going over the edge”.