The Northern Rivers Social Development Council (NRSDC) say more needs to be done to help low-income regional residents cope with increasing power bills.
The Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal (IPART) has recommended an average bill increase of $381 from July this year in regional areas, on top of recent increases. The rises are to cover the cost of maintaining poles and wires and the generators’ carbon tax payments.
NRSDC chief Tony Davies has called on all levels of government to do their bit to ensure poorer people are not disadvantaged.
‘Incomes in this area are only two-thirds of incomes in Sydney. So when you get an increase like this, which is greater than average increases in metropolitan areas, people are going to be hit a lot harder,’ he told ABC radio this morning.
‘We also need programs to particularly help people in rental accommodation,’ he added.
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