A newly launched service is aiming to teach the Port Kembla community to reduce their power bills and living costs, while also helping the environment.
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Save4Good is a free sustainability coaching program available to all residents and small businesses in Port Kembla.
Participants complete a coaching session to identify ways they can reduce their power bills, reduce the cost of living and help the environment. They also receive a complimentary $100 off their next power bill.
All Sustainable Futures is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Illawarra and South Coast, specialising in sustainable living.
The program has received NSW Government funding via the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund.
Save4Good was launched at Port Kembla Community Centre on Friday.
All residents and small businesses in Port Kembla are eligible to sign up for a coaching session.
Among the people who signed up was Port Kembla pensioner Ivano Lucato, 68.
Mr Lucato said he had long been interested in trying to save energy.
"I try to not only save money, but also help out the environment," he said.
"If there's some way you can lower your house bills... And being a pensioner, you have to be very careful what you spend.
"I think my house is fairly efficient energy-wise, but if there's any chance to improve that, sure. With the cost of energy going up, every cent counts, especially when you're a pensioner."
Alex McNeilly, director of All Sustainable Futures' Illawarra/Shoalhaven/South Coast branch said community feedback had informed them that residents wanted to learn more about reducing power bills, reducing waste and living more sustainably.
"We're not sales agents, we're change agents," he told the Mercury.
"A specialist coach, free of charge, comes to your home and we review all components to look at how sustainably you're living in your home, and how do we reduce your cost of living?
"We look at your energy bills, solar energy, solutions for water tanks, all your appliances to look at the efficiency... We then offer advice on how you can reduce those things to help reduce the cost, plus also help the local and global environment."
Everyone who completes a free sustainable coaching session in the next few months will receive $100 off their next power bill.
For those who wish to make further savings, All Sustainable Futures have organised discounts from selected local businesses offering sustainable products and services.
The program will run until December 2020.
"If more funding becomes available down the track, we'd look at other communities in the Illawarra and South Coast that could benefit from the project," Mr McNeilly said.
For more information or to register, visit www.save4good.org.au or phone 0437 713 636.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
