Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts, have announced a new rebate for low-income households in NSW that use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The $90 Gas Rebate will be available from 1 July 2016 to households that rely on reticulated or delivered LPG for heating, cooking and powering their hot water systems and that are not connected to a natural gas distribution network.
This is good news as it means that vulnerable residents who are unconnected to gas networks will be eligible to receive the same rebate as those who are connected to the network.
The rebate is particularly important for customers in regional areas who do not have access to the natural gas network and who therefore rely on LPG. ‘This is an important step in supporting low income and vulnerable consumers in regional areas, particularly those in towns where retail gas competition is low or non-existent,’ said PIAC CEO, Edward Santow.
‘As the average annual cost of LPG for a household is $500, this rebate will provide relief to vulnerable households struggling with the costs of an essential service such as gas,’ Mr Santow said.
PIAC is pleased the NSW Government has addressed this gap in financial support for households in NSW.