Queenslanders taking desperate measures amid rising electricity costs

Queenslanders struggling to keep up with rising electricity costs are being forced to change their home habits despite in some cases spending thousands on solar.

Queenslanders who have been sweating on power price relief have been dipping into their super to pay for solar and changing what they eat and how they cook to keep bills down.

Ken Whyte, of Kenmore, who is retired on a part pension with his superannuation forked out $10,000 on solar panels but despite that he still had to change his habits.

“About six months ago, they came in and installed some transmitters on my metre box and changed my bill so between 4pm and 9pm they charge more for my power,” Mr Whyte said.

“That is the reason, if we are going to use the oven, we will cook during the day.”

Kenmore resident Ken Whyte says he avoids cooking at night to save power. Picture David Clark

Mr Whyte said if his food needs heating at night he will avoid turning on the oven.

James Byrne, of Brisbane, works from home and has been trying to mitigate costs wherever possible.

“I don’t even run the freezer anymore because I don’t want to spend the money,” he said.

“I have been eating cold foods, literally eating salads, cold meats, cooking once a week, eating a massive roast once a week and slowly eating that cold.”

Mr Byrne said it single-handedly the greatest issue facing Australians.

“Having grown up in Brisbane for 40 years, having access to reasonably priced electricity is an expectation, it’s what should be provided,” he said.