The rising costs of power
“If power costs continue to rise, I don’t know how we are going to manage to help people keep their heads above water. They will have to make the terrible decision as to whether to pay bills or eat! Many already are facing that choice,” says Salvation Army officer Major David Rogerson.
Tamworth (NSW) Salvation Army co-corps officers Majors David and Catherine Rogerson say they are worried about the increasing numbers of clients now struggling to pay utility bills and still afford essentials such as food. This is due to the sharp and continuing increases in electricity prices over the past decade in many areas of Australia.
According to The Tamworth Leader, the problem in country areas, such as Tamworth, is often greater than larger cities.
The paper recently reported: “…locals pay substantially more than their city cousins for gas, electricity, fuel and, potentially in the coming years, water. Tamworth households pay about 12 per cent more for gas, seven per cent more for fuel and a staggering 25 per cent more for electricity than Sydneysiders...”
Major David Rogerson says the pressures on many rural households are “heartbreaking”.
“We see pensioners and low-income families going without heating, food, lighting, school uniforms and medical treatment. And it’s not just people who are on benefits. These are people with a partner, husband or wife where one is working, or even two. They’re earning the basic wage and they’re struggling,” says Major David Rogerson.
Major Catherine Rogerson adds that a lack of specialist health services means many from Tamworth are forced to travel to Newcastle or Sydney for treatment and hospital visits.
“Within three months of receiving our yearly electricity vouchers to distribute, they are all gone. When we run out of power vouchers we compensate with food vouchers or donated food – anything!” she says.
“We often also have to also help with petrol vouchers to help people travel to receive medical treatment.”
On top of welfare clients who often have to book weeks in advance, the couple and their team are also now dealing with increasing numbers of homeless people in need of emergency support.
“What I struggle with are not just the people who come to us for help, but with the fact there are so many other vulnerable people who desperately need our help. They aren’t coming to us because of the stigma, or because they are just too proud or embarrassed,” says Major Catherine Rogerson.
“But our staff are beautiful and our volunteers are beautiful, and we get through it together. We pray every morning together and we support each other and encourage each other.”
Major David Rogerson says in recent times, one great joy has been distributing drought appeal relief funds to farmers who are trying to rebuild after serious drought.
“We’re able to give up to about $20,000 worth just in the local area here for farmers,” he says. “It’s exciting. It’s good that we are able to have that provision for people in need. That’s been tremendous!”
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