Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Charge Up!

Struggling with high energy bills? You’re not alone. With the cost of living soaring, many households are feeling the strain...but a new initiative could help. The Charge Up! Project, funded by the Department of Energy and Climate through the Enable Grants Program, is making energy management simpler and more accessible. And now, you can take advantage of it right at here your Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre.

Access to energy is a fundamental necessity, yet many families find themselves overwhelmed by rising costs, confusing bills, and a complex energy system. These challenges hit low-income and vulnerable households the hardest, leaving many without the knowledge or resources to reduce their energy expenses.

Community service organisations play a crucial role in supporting struggling households, from helping them access energy concessions to guiding them through hardship programs. However, with the energy market often difficult to navigate, clear and practical information isn’t always easy to find. The Charge Up! Project is changing that, providing households with the tools to understand their energy use, read their electricity meters, improve efficiency, and access vital financial support such as concessions, rebates, and tariffs.

Maddy Darley, an Energy Educator for the program, has seen first-hand the impact of this knowledge. By applying what she learned, she managed to cut her own electricity bill from $900 in January to $700 in February. She emphasised that having the right information is key to making smarter energy choices and saving money.

By empowering people with the knowledge to take control of their energy use, the Charge Up! Project is helping Queenslanders ease the burden of rising costs—one bill at a time.

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