NT residents reveal cost-of-living experiences

Recent flooding has put pressure on grocery supplies, but what do Territorians have to say about cost-of-living?

With inflation forcing the price of household essentials up across the country, residents in the Northern Territory are also feeling the pinch, particularly given the lack of competition.

Outside of the cost-of-living crisis, residents in multiple areas have also felt the impact of supply delays due to weather events, with flooding cutting transport routes in recent weeks.

Darwin local Philip Patten confirmed his grocery shopping had been affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

“Yes, I’m definitely feeling (the pressures) – it’s the first time in maybe a decade I’ve felt it with my job,” he said, having just completed a shop at Woolworths in the CBD.

“It has affected my groceries – I would guess maybe a 20 per cent increase in my expenses.

“I haven’t stopped buying particular items but I’ve had to budget my groceries much more carefully.”

A News Corp analysis of new Consumer Price Index data revealed price reductions in more than 20 per cent of almost 100 product categories monitored by the Bureau of Statistics, including household goods, clothing, some meats, holidays, childcare and primary education which are all cheaper today than they were a year ago.

The falls offset hefty price rises in other categories, with insurance, postal services, gas, tobacco, tertiary education and eggs all rising more than 10 per cent in 2023.

Philip Patten confirmed cost-of-living pressures had affected his groceries. Picture: Harry Brill.

Mr Patten said cost-of-living impacted “everything”.

“I’ve had to be more mindful of things, like yesterday I had a doctor’s appointment and for the last two weeks I’ve had to budget for it because the cost-of-living is so high,” he said.

“My rent has gone up and everything has taken a hit for that of course.”

Cyclone Tracy survivor Gail Brown said cost-of-living had changed constantly in the Territory.

“It changes all the time up here, it’s hard to know why,” she said.

“I’m lucky because I only have to buy for myself and my dogs – for families it’s different.”

Ms Brown said she hoped the cost-of-living wouldn’t affect her daughters – also Territorians.

“They’ll be okay I hope – we’ve all got each other and that’s really important,” she said.

“Coles and Woolies – look out for us.”