For the second time this year, the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) will partner with Coast Community Connections to hold a Bring Your Bills Day & Community Expo in Woy Woy.
The first Bring Your Bills Day, held in April, was a huge success. Over 200 residents from the Woy Woy area on the NSW Central Coast flooded into the Peninsula Community Centre to seek help with energy issues, either from EWON or one of the four energy retailers there on the day.
Ombudsman coming to Woy Woy
“Many people spoke to their energy retailer about affordable payment plans or other assistance, such as having rebates applied to their account or accessing Energy Account Payment Assistance, ” Ombudsman, Ms Janine Young explained.
EWON was joined by 20 other services in April offering help with issues ranging from tenancy problems, financial and legal issues to outstanding fines, cancelled licences and much more. “Talking to people at the event, I was moved by the individual stories and the need for ongoing assistance in this area.
“I was encouraged by how many people left with a sense of relief and a smile on their faces, ” Ms Young recalled.
On October 24, Coast Community Connections will host another Bring Your Bills Day at the Peninsula Community Centre in Woy Woy from 9am to 3pm.
This time 27 services will be there to provide support to residents. They include:
- Coast Community Connections itself,
- Australian Tax Office,
- Births, Deaths and Marriages,
- Central Coast Council,
- Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service,
- Department of Human Services (Centrelink),
- Legal Aid Driver Reform Program,
- NSW Trustee & Guardian Revenue NSW,
- Service NSW,
- St Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army.
- Energy retailers –
- AGL, Energy Australia,
- Origin Energy and
- Red Energy will also be there to assist their customers directly.
Customers of other energy retailers will be assisted by EWON.
Coast Community Connections is one of the largest and long-serving community organizations on the Central Coast providing services such as youth and gambling counselling, aging and disability support, home modifications and maintenance and child care.
Cost of living support
“Increased living costs are a real concern for many families in the Woy Woy area, particularly rising electricity costs. Coast Community Connections is very happy to support this initiative, which provides local residents support with affordability and related problems. ” Bruce Davis, CEO, Coast Community Connections said.
Community supporters
A Giving Space which includes donated quality clothing, toiletries, books and grocery items will also be part of the support offered on the day, along with morning tea supplied by CWA Woy Woy and the Salvo’s food van serving a light lunch.
Coast Community Connections Staff and Volunteers will be on hand to help residents navigate their way to the support they need.
Residents are advised to bring along current and past energy and water bills, any letters from retailers, Centrelink Health Cards, and any other concession cards.
Source: Joint Media Release Jacqui Heywood for Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) and Helen Rousell for Coast Community Connections.
For more information about the event visit the Coast Community Connections website or phone 02 4343 1888
NOTE: An specific Energy Bill Support Day will be held on November 26, 2019.
Voluntary declaration: Coast Community Connections advertises with Coast Community News.