MAKING a choice between eating or paying the power bill is already a reality for some people on low incomes across the Mid North Coast.
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That choice will be made even harder now with the recent increase in power prices.
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved a 1.5% increase in network charges from July 1.
The price hike means homes in country NSW could see their bills rise by $30 to $35 with continuing legal battles threatening to send bills even higher in another 12 months’ time.
"People will have to make the choice between eating and paying the power bill."
- Acting CEO of Anglicare North Coast Jim Hodge.
The decision comes in the wake of a recent Total Environment Centre report which argued the assets of the industry in NSW were inflated to twice the appropriate level. If they were reduced to the appropriate level, this could result in price cuts of as much as 40 per cent, the report says.
Acting CEO of Anglicare North Coast Jim Hodge says the price rise will hit those on low incomes hard.
“They often have older appliances that use more power. It might be an old fridge with a leaking seal or just a less efficient model. People on lower incomes are also more likely to love in older homes that are less energy efficient.”
His organisation offers a limited number of electricity vouchers for those in emergency situations.
“We also offer advice on how to use less power. Putting less water in the jug when you boil it, turning the thermostat down on your hot water system, that kind of thing.”
But these measures can only provide a small saving and Mr Hodge fears the recent price hike will push some over the edge.
“People will have to make the choice between eating and paying the power bill or the choice between paying medical bills or paying the power bill.”
He points to the high cost of accommodation on the Mid North Coast as an underlying problem.
Each year Anglicare Australia conducts the Rental Affordability Snapshot. The report shines a light on the lack of affordable accommodation for people on low incomes.
“The number one thing people are looking for assistance with is food.”
- Acting CEO of Anglicare North Coast Jim Hodge.
Alarmingly, in relation to single people in regional areas living on an income support payment (especially Newstart and Youth Allowance) the report found they would have access to less than 10 suitable properties out of the 14,000 regional properties surveyed.
With these combined pressures, he says more and more people are coming to Anglicare needing help to buy food.
“The number one thing people are looking for assistance with is food.”
If the power price rise has got you worried and you want to share your story email janine.watson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Janine Watson
Group digital journalist for the NSW Mid North Coast covering Forster to Bellingen, Wauchope and beyond.
Group digital journalist for the NSW Mid North Coast covering Forster to Bellingen, Wauchope and beyond.
