Power to the people: Portarlington PowerGroup’s John Turner with the discount deal and fellow group members David Hughes, Terry Parsons, Helen Bandy and Noni Bartlet.
MICHELLE HERBISON
GAS and electricity will be cheaper for Bellarine Peninsula residents who sign on to a group-buying scheme with AGL, according to an organiser.
Portarlington Community Association’s John Rae said more than 500 households had registered interest in the scheme.
Mr Rae hoped 300 would sign up to bulk-buy through Portarlington PowerGroup.
“When we first started out we thought if we got 200 people to just look at the deal that would be good, so we’re doing well.”
Mr Rae said the group would effectively take the hassle out of comparing bills to find the cheapest price.
The group had chosen AGL as the best of three companies that tendered for the group’s business.
“There have been a lot of squeezes going on and energy bills can be a nightmare for individuals to work out,” Mr Rae said.
AGL staff would visit Portarlington this Friday and Saturday to calculate quotes.
Mr Rae said a dedicated phone number was available to assist with queries, quotes and sign-ups.
Portarlington Community Association would consider group-buying schemes in other areas such as insurance and phone bills once the power project was underway, he said.
Chris Kechagias, of Portarlington bulk-buy facilitator Powergroup Purchasing, said residents would receive a “significant discount” on normal rates.
“AGL had to bid to win, so it couldn’t just offer a normal deal.”
Mr Kechagias said his company’s procedures helped community groups overcome confusion when trying to choose the best offer.
“It’s all smoke and mirrors. With this scheme, the shopping around has been done for you by a community action group doing an independent review of the market.”
Mr Kechagias said anyone on the peninsula could still be involved in the scheme, including holiday house owners who lived elsewhere.
A spokesperson for AGL said savings would depend on customers’ existing energy consumption but the deal would probably be the best on the market.
“We understand that people are concerned about energy costs and group-buying schemes have the potential to help customers make real savings. We hope this is supported by Portarlington and surrounds.”
AGL staff will be at Parks Hall, Newcombe St, to compare residents’ bills with the group-buying deal from 10am to 4pm this Friday and from 10am to 2pm Saturday.
Mr Kechagias said more information about the scheme was available at www.powergrouppurchasing.com/pca.php or by phoning 1300 767 949.
