Concern for Energy Price Increase at Sporting Clubs
Vicsport CEO Steven Potts called for the agreement between the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and energy companies to make it easier for householders to receive the best energy prices to be extended to sporting clubs in Victoria.
Steven Potts has been campaigning for improved energy pricing for sporting clubs for several months, said "In light of the well publicised discussions between the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and energy companies, it is entirely reasonable that the same approach should be applied to Sport in Victoria."
Currently in Victoria over 3.25 million Victorians play sport or are engaged in active recreation which involves 580,000 volunteers, 100 sporting associations and 16,000 clubs.*1
"We would hope that such a move would have bi-partisan support".
"Major increases in energy costs to sporting clubs, especially for junior sports activities, ultimately will find their way to mums and dads or club volunteers to raise more money," Mr Potts said.
Vicsport has previously expressed major concern with the excessive increases in energy prices, especially for community based sporting clubs earlier this year.
"The cost can be substantial combining price rises for use with extra charges known as demand charges based on the time of use. One community football club provided Vicsport with a quarterly invoice that increased by $1700 overnight unannounced".
"The extra charges were delayed when they became subject to a press report" .
Thousands of grass roots sporting clubs throughout Victoria regularly use floodlights for training and turn their lights on at 5.00pm in winter for safety. The demand tariffs charge more for peak periods typically from 10.00am to 6.00pm.
"The volatility of energy prices at a National and State level suggests the vast majority of these community clubs could be hit by excessive costs on usage and by the introduction of demand and other charges.
"With sport helping underpin the national Health budget and in Victoria employing some 26,000 people, Vicsport believes the agreed best price strategies could be a positive step in lowering energy bills to Victorian sporting clubs".
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