Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner’s shock at monthly power bill

The owner of a local gym is gobsmacked by his monthly power bill which he claims has increased by almost 100 per cent in just 12 months. See the latest >

Dean Ewington Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The owner of Oceana Aquatic and Fitness says he was shocked to find his monthly power bill to run the pool side of the business had increased by nearly 100 per cent, compared to his January 2022 bill.

Dean Ewington, who is also a former Clarence alderman, spoke to the Mercury last month about his power bills, but while he was expecting a sharp increase, he wasn’t prepared for the number on his bill.

“I locked into the new tariff before the last Federal election … my tariff changed on the first of January, I didn’t know what the increase was going to be,” Mr Ewington said.

“Last year in January it was $6479 and this January it was $12,326.

“I’ve used slightly more power, maybe five per cent more power.”

Mr Ewington said there was “no excuse” for such a large increase.

He was concerned his winter bill, which was usually closer to $12,000 a month, would also be high.

“There’s not extra cost to the government or hydro to generate this, it’s not acceptable,” he said.

Dean Ewington Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner shocked to find his monthly power bill. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“The problem is its costs too much for electricity for something that doesn’t cost that much to generate.”

Mr Ewington said for small businesses, the increase would be hard to swallow.

“The number of small business getting bill shock over the next few months … people aren’t going to stay in business, people are going to struggle,” he said.

“You can’t plan or budget for things and then have these sort of things pop up like short notice

“That’s my monthly bill up by $6000 a month, that’s out of my back pocket.”

Mr Ewington said he was looking into getting solar panels but he believed it would be around $120,000 to install.

“I’ve got to pay for solar and increased power costs, solar will take seven to eight years to get anything back,” he said.

Energy and renewables Minister Guy Barnett said assistance was available to Tasmanians struggling with power bills, including the $50m loan saver scheme, which provides interest free loans of between $5000 and $10,000 over three years to invest in energy efficient products.

“The Rockliff Liberal government understands cost of living pressures are impacting Tasmanians which is why we have put in place a targeted and multi-pronged response to support households and businesses,” Mr Barnett said.

“Tasmania has the most generous electricity concessions of all states so vulnerable Tasmanians on low and fixed incomes will continue to be supported.”