The prices for gas and electricity from Australia’s energy providers are set to rise by approximately 20 per cent from Saturday, July 1.
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In New South Wales, major providers EngergyAustralia and Origin have estimated bill hikes of 19.6 and 16 per cent respectively.
EnergyAustralia estimate the price increase will cost households an extra $6.15 per week for electricity and an extra 95c per week for gas.
Residents of the Lithgow region will receive the price hike during one of the coldest weekends of the year so far.
We headed to Main Street to see what locals and visitors to Lithgow thought of the increase. How to cover heating costs is weighing on a lot of people’s minds.
Owen Mutton
Pensioner, Owen Mutton, said he thinks the increase in his energy bills will leave him with no spare spending money.
“Yeah, it will affect me. I take $30 out of my pension each fortnight to cover energy bills but I think I’ll have to increase that to $50 now.”
“I can cover it but I just won’t have any money to spare. I very rarely use my heater, I just rug up.”
Leanne Francis
Leanne is concerned about receiving the bill for her air conditioner.
“Yeah, I’m guessing running our reverse cycle air conditioning will be costly because for it to work it needs to be running all the time.”
“We just get hit with the bill and hope that we can pay it. It’s getting more expensive and harder and harder for people.”
David O’Brian
David, who owns the butcher on Main Street, is struggling to make a profit in part because of the business’ energy bills.
“I think we pay $1,500 per month for the electricity here.”
“It makes it harder to pay my employees’ wages. All the bills are going up but the meat prices can’t go up because people can’t afford to be pay more.”
James Ward
James, a railroad worker from Gilgandra, says energy bills aren’t an issue for him.
“My bill’s alright because I’m away for work a lot so I don’t use much electricity at home.”
“But it’s cold here, isn’t it?”
Gaye Mason
Gaye purposely keeps her home colder than she would like it to save money.
“Yes, the price increase will impact me undoubtedly. The bills haven’t been bad – but that’s summer. Winter is a whole different thing.”
“I just put the bills on the credit card and hope I’ve got enough to cover it."
“I’ve got gas central heating and I just put it on 16-18 degrees. It’s barely warm enough but it’s enough to take the chill off. If it wasn’t so expensive I would like to have it on 22 or 23 degrees.”
