In 2013, BEST Employment, Inverell, Gwydir and Glen Innes Severn shire councils formed a consortium to deliver the New England North West Energy Efficiency Campaign (Powersave project) which is funded by the Department of Industry’s Low Income Energy Efficiency Program. 

The aim of the project is deliver community workshops to residents, providing information on how to reduce energy consumption in their homes by changing energy use habits. The project aims to recruit 300 households, conduct free home energy assessments and assist these households to reduce their energy consumption by 10 per cent.

“By changing habits and undertaking simple actions such as checking your fridge and freezer temperatures are set correctly, most households can reduce their electricity consumption,” Rob said. 

“During the home energy assessment, I sit down with the householders and have a look at areas where they can save energy. 

“The first step is helping people to understand how to read their power bill correctly. I prepare an Energy Reduction Plan for the household and set an achievable energy reduction target. 

“Households that achieve their energy reduction target over a 12 month period are then eligible to participate in our rewards program.”

Since the commencement of the project in late 2013, Rob has delivered 33 community workshops, and completed 171 home energy assessments across the region.

“Electricity prices are hurting everybody and this program is targeted at reducing costs for those low income households that can least afford it,” Project Manager Roger Abbott from BEST Employment said.

Households eligible for participation in the program are those that are in receipt of aged and disability pensions, unemployment or study benefits, or those identified as struggling to pay council rates. The free service is available to residents in Inverell Shire, Gwydir Shire, and Tingha and Bundarra.

For further information, please contact our Home Energy Advisor, Mr Robert Walters on 0418 731 378.