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Saturday, November 2, 2024

COTA issues call for Senior energy champions

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Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland knows that many older people are experiencing
cost of living pressures and energy-related expenses make up a significant proportion of regular household expenditure.

To respond to this, we are running a new statewide program called Energy4Seniors. This
program uses local volunteer ‘Energy Champions’ to provide older people with information,
tips, and ideas to make wise choices about energy usage.

Queensland seniors can face challenges when it comes to managing their energy needs,
from navigating rising costs to understanding new technologies.

Delivered by local people across Queensland, who have connections to older people participating in community groups, this new program will provide information to help people improve what they know about energy and energy efficiency and get them ready to for smart meters and changes to tariffs. To be delivered over the next 18 months, the program delivery has been broken into phases, starting with a focus on concessions, rebates, and support services.

“The Energy4Seniors program is a great opportunity for people to connect with their older community members to assist them to better understand the energy space, and to save their money on their energy bills without compromising on comfort or their health and wellbeing,” said COTA Queensland CEO, Darren Young.

“We know that some people are doing it tough with the cost-of-living pressures, and we want to ensure that they know about all of the energy concessions and rebates that they are entitled to, and how to access them.”

In a recent report published jointly with the Energy Charter and Melbourne Institute in June, Insights into Energy Concession Awareness and Energy-Related, identified that most
concession card holders had not applied an energy concession on their energy bill.

Sighting just under 62% of concession holders have not applied energy concessions to their energy bill in the past six months, which is mainly attributed to lack of awareness and lack of knowledge of energy concessions.

“We also want people to know that there are a range of supports and services they can access, including information, resources, and support offered by the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland, and energy and financial counselling services,” says Mr Young.

To support the delivery of the program, Council on the Ageing Queensland is calling for people to join as Volunteer Energy Champions.

As an Energy Champion, you will play a vital role in connecting with older people and offering face-to-face, small group information sessions. You will be trained, provided with
ongoing support, and armed with a wide range of information, resources and ideas to share with your local community.

Working as a trusted source, you can make a difference in the lives of older people by empowering them to make wise energy choices.

Find out more and register your interest in becoming a Volunteer Energy Champion, by
Sunday 4 August 2024, here https://www.cotaqld.org.au/energy4seniors/

The Energy4Seniors program received grant funding from the Queensland Government as part of the Enable Grants Program.

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