OLDER Hervey Bay residents are being urged to take advantage of energy concessions and rebates, with a special community session set to be held at the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre on Friday, 30 May at 10.00am.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, in partnership with the Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages (ARQRV), is delivering a statewide initiative called Energy4Seniors.
The program aims to help older Queenslanders manage rising energy costs by providing practical tips and information.
“An estimated 20% of Queenslanders who are eligible for concessions are not accessing them, and we want to ensure Queensland Seniors are aware of the concessions and rebates they are entitled to,” said Darren Young, Chief Executive of COTA Queensland.
“We know that many older people are experiencing cost of living pressures and energy-related expenses make up a significant proportion of regular household expenditure,” he added.
As part of the Energy4Seniors outreach, COTA Queensland’s Senior Project Officer, Lisa Hodgkinson, will be visiting Hervey Bay to speak directly with seniors and provide guidance on how to reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort or health.
“Through our Energy4Seniors project, we’re providing older Queenslanders with the knowledge and information to become more energy efficient in their homes,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“There’s lots of changes in the energy space, and they can be hard to keep track of. We’re making things easier with information sessions in your community.”
“This program is all about helping you to make wise energy choices without compromising on comforts or risking your health,” she added.
COTA Queensland is the state’s peak body for older people and works to ensure the voices of ageing Queenslanders are heard at all levels of government.
The Hervey Bay session is part of a broader tour that includes a stop in Gladstone earlier in the week.
For more information, residents can contact Lisa Hodgkinson, Senior Project Officer for Energy4Seniors, on 0484 260 576.
