Close Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
  • Competition
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • Click here to read
  • Reverse freeway budget cuts – MP
  • Paid parking trial ‘fiasco’ before it begins
  • ‘Dialogue’ terminated over flag
  • 105 Quinns Parade, Mt Eliza
  • Brigade’s open day for all
  • Transparency backed, but ‘secret’ talks stay
  • Myatt puts opponents on notice
Facebook X (Twitter)
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»Latest News»High power bills on the way
Latest News

High power bills on the way

By Liz BellJune 6, 2022Updated:June 8, 2022No Comments3 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

THOUSANDS of Mornington Peninsula households are expected to face a crippling rise in electricity prices after the Essential Services Commission announced new Victorian default offer prices from 1 July to 30 June 2023.

Average annual bills for households and small businesses on the default (standing) electricity market offer will increase by an average of around five per cent.

Vinnies spokesman Gavan Dufty said areas on the outskirts of Melbourne, including the peninsula, would be hit hardest when it came to cost of living rises, because areas with poor public transport already faced paying more than $2 a litre for petrol.

The welfare agency is bracing for an increase in people seeking support with household costs, including food and medicines, as they are forced to choose between paying energy bills or putting food on the table.

“Essentially, the cost increases will wash through to everything and we expect to see changes in the volumes of people seeking support,” Dufty said.

“I would encourage anyone on a pension to go to their retailer and ask for the pensioner discount of 17.5 per cent of gas and electricity, because a lot of people don’t know about it.”

Industry experts say forecast rising wholesale prices are to blame, making up almost two-thirds of the increase in the default offer.

Consumer watchdog Choice says the continued focus on bills comes as the energy regulator has announced it will soon be requiring power companies to notify customers of whether or not they’d be better off under a different energy plan.

Energy Consumers Council chief executive Lynne Gallagher said the price rises would come “at the worst possible time”.

However, she said consumers need not feel helpless in the face of rising bills and should push their retailers for a better deal.

The ECC also suggested retailers should be proactive and approach consumers first.

It also suggests people take action to reduce their bills, including using appliances in off-peak times when rates are lower, which could save around $100 a year. That usually means running the washing machine or dishwasher overnight or on the weekend.

Other suggestions include adjusting thermostats, and switching off power points

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s tips on how to save on energy bills:

Compare energy bills quickly and easily at the state government website Victorian Energy Compare.

Keep heat from escaping your home by draft proofing gaps around external doors and windows with adhesive tapes or seals.

Furnishing windows with heavy curtains and pelmets, window films or bubble wrap.

Cut costs of cooling the house during summer by using fans instead of air conditioning; turning air conditioners to about 25 degrees; shading windows.

Tips for saving on hot water use included taking showers instead of baths; take three to four-minute showers and washing laundry in cold water.

To save on power use a laptop instead of a desktop computer; switch TVs and computers to an energy saving setting; turn off appliances at the power point (except refrigerators, which should be set to 3-4 degrees and freezers -15 to -18 degrees).

Investigate solar and battery storage.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News  – 7 June 2022

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Reverse freeway budget cuts – MP

November 29, 2023

Paid parking trial ‘fiasco’ before it begins

November 28, 2023

New mayor for ‘positive change’

November 27, 2023

Mechanical beach cleaning fails test

November 21, 2023
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

November 27, 2023
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

November 30, 2023
Council Watch

‘Dialogue’ terminated over flag

November 28, 2023

Transparency backed, but ‘secret’ talks stay

November 28, 2023
Letters to the Editor
Letters Photo 167953350 © Zerbor | Dreamstime.com
Interview

Rolls Royce-driven life worth recording

November 13, 2023
Property of the Week

105 Quinns Parade, Mt Eliza

November 28, 2023
100 Years Ago This Week

Frankston school – Lecture by Mr Chas. Long

November 27, 2023
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook X (Twitter)
© 2023 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.