Latest news with #HorizonPower
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
New wardrobe service opens in Karratha for locals doing it tough
A permanent wardrobe service has launched in Karratha, providing free new clothing to people experiencing hardship. Through Anglicare WA's Thread Together initiative, the service allows people to choose clothes that suit their needs and personal style, helping restore a sense of dignity and confidence during challenging times. The initiative is part of a broader rollout across the North West, with mobile wardrobes due to launch in Port Hedland, Broome, and Kununurra. Funded by a $20,000 Horizon Power Community Partnership grant, the program has also received support from Horizon Power volunteers, who assisted with transport and assembly of the wardrobe. Anglicare WA chief executive Mark Glasson said while the service had been growing in demand and delivery in Perth, the partnership would allow it to expand into the Pilbara and Kimberley, supporting more West Australians doing it tough. 'More people than ever before are going without suitable clothes, prescription medicines and other essential items, as they have no income left after paying for accommodation, bills and food,' he said. 'An increasing number of women and children have also needed the support of services like Thread Together to start over after escaping family and domestic violence. 'The housing crisis and cost-of-living continues to affect people right across the State, but we know these issues are exacerbated in WA's regions, particularly in the Pilbara and Kimberley. 'People in need deserve the dignity and choice of new clothing, without judgment.' Referrals for the program can be made through a range of local community and social services, including Anglicare WA and headspace.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Broome solar energy project given green light by Environmental Protection Authority
A solar energy project for Broome has been given the green light by the Environmental Protection Authority after finding the project will have little impact on local flora. The proposal comprises 4m-tall solar panels up to 90MW, battery energy storage systems, and a 16km transmission line from a site about 10km north of Broome. EPA chair Darren Walsh said the EPA had published its decision not to assess the Horizon Power project under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. 'After considering public submissions and conducting a preliminary investigation, we consider that the likely environmental effects of the proposal are not so significant to warrant formal assessment by the EPA,' he said. 'This doesn't mean environmental impacts of the project won't be considered at all, merely that they will be mitigated and licensed through other statutory decision-making processes.' As part of its determination, the EPA found vegetation types in the proposal area were typical and widespread within the region and there were no threatened flora species in the development envelope. 'This means that the types of impacts associated with the clearing of native vegetation can be regulated under Part V of the EP Act,' Mr Walsh said. The network connection route would follow the Broome-Cape Leveque Road, Broome Highway, Old Broome Road and Frederick Street to the existing substation in town. The EPA also noted that while there were no registered Aboriginal heritage sites in the development area, the proponent had engaged with Yawuru Aboriginal Corporation and would establish a Heritage Protection Agreement with them. If any Aboriginal heritage sites are identified, the potential impact could be assessed and regulated under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
West Australian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Touring theatre show to explore themes of poverty and family solidarity with Esperance students
Esperance students will explore themes of poverty and family solidarity as part of a thought-provoking theatre program. Hoods, a gritty suburban tale written by Angela Betzien, will be performed at Esperance Civic Centre on June 25 as part of a regional WA tour. The production is recommended for secondary students in Years 9 to 12. It forms part of a two-year partnership between Barking Gecko Arts and Horizon Power to bring theatre productions and creative learning programs to regional students through the Powering Imaginations initiative. Barking Gecko Arts chief executive Ryan Taaffe said the program would build students' wellbeing through engagement with the arts. 'When children experience live theatre, it fosters creativity and empathy, improves emotional intelligence, and brings bucketloads of joy,' he said. 'Thanks to Horizon Power's support, we can bring these transformative experiences directly to regional communities.' The $100,000 partnership from Horizon Power was delivered on behalf of the State Government and will also reach Exmouth and Karratha. Horizon Power chief executive Stephanie Unwin said the energy provider was pleased to support an initiative which would foster regional students' creativity. 'It's fantastic that Barking Gecko can continue to expand their program across regional WA so that more students have the chance to experience the excitement of their live theatre shows,' she said. 'We are proud to support this initiative and work together to bring the arts to an ever-increasing audience across the regions.' It comes after the latest round of Horizon's Community Partnerships Program which awarded $50,000 across 12 initiatives in the Goldfields-Esperance region. Beneficiaries include Cycling Development Foundation's Laverton Cycling Project, Esperance's Mother's Day Classic, and Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation's Reconciliation Day event, and a fire pit and furniture for the Wingellina (Irrunytju) Community, among others.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
West Aussies stuck with higher power bills than national average as the cost of energy rises
West Australians are being slugged some of the highest prices in the nation for tasks around the house as basic as heating, cooking and doing the laundry, new figures show. The cost of power for daily routines has been laid bare in a new crunch by insurance and utility comparison service iSelect, revealing at least 10 chores and appliances that cost more in WA than the national average. The biggest money drainers are air conditioning, with heating and cooling topping the chart, and running an electric heater following behind. General manager of utilities at iSelect Julia Paszka said that sandgropers were having to fork out a higher bill on average than the rest of the nation. 'Western Australia has the third highest electricity prices in the country, which means everyday appliances can really drive up power bills,' she said. Comparisons on power costs are common in the rest of the country because deregulated electricity markets allow consumers to switch providers and retailers — though critics of the east coast system say deregulation has led to higher prices overall. WA's State-regulated power network means there are only options for different providers in few circumstances. The analysis by iSelect is the first the comparison website has conducted, allowing Australians to understand how much their energy bills cost. 'To calculate these costs, we analysed the average energy consumption of common household appliances and the approximate time each activity takes to complete. We then worked out the cost of each task based on hourly energy prices in each State,' Ms Pazska said. Only NSW and South Australia had higher costs, she said, largely due to elevated wholesale prices — due to reduced coal supply, network limitations, and increased demand 'Both States are also in the middle of a major shift to renewable energy, which can push prices up in the short term, especially in NSW following the closure of the Liddell Power Station, and in SA, where gas is often used when renewables can't meet demand,' Ms Pazka said. WA's Synergy and Horizon Power declined to comment on the analysis. Ms Paszka said though the independent electricity grid in WA, and its more regulated market, helped to insulate it from some pressures seen in NSW and SA, other factors pushed prices higher. 'WA's electricity prices are pushed higher by the cost of servicing a small population spread across a vast area, including many remote communities,' she said. 'Unlike other States that rely more heavily on renewables, WA continues to depend on gas-fired power, which can be more expensive to generate and distribute.' The State Government has committed to phasing out coal-fired power by 2030, to be replaced by renewables. But in the meantime, iSelect recommends some straightforward ways to save on bills — particularly as West Australians reach for the heating as winter approaches. Switching appliances off at the power point when not in use, naturally trapping heat in the house, opting for energy efficient appliances like air fryers over ovens and timing energy usage. 'Energy companies typically charge higher rates for electricity during peak hours, usually from 4pm to 9pm, when everyone is home and using power for heating, cooking, and entertainment,' Ms Paszka said. 'If you can adjust your habits to run your appliances outside peak times, you can save a significant amount on your bill.'
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Pilbara community groups receive boosts with latest round of Horizon Power funding
From fishing competitions to volunteer firies, Pilbara community initiatives are set to share in the latest round of Horizon Power funding. A total of $110,300 is being divided between 22 grassroots initiatives throughout the region, delivered on behalf of the WA Government, with an additional $30,000 going to the Town of Port Hedland's 2025 Spinifex Spree Carnival. In east Pilbara, 15 community groups are getting a financial lift. Newman Women's Shelter is launching its Empower Her Project, focused on strengthening support for local women. Marble Bar Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services is boosting its frontline tech with tablets for fireground mapping. Hedland Well Women's Centre will use the funding to host its Pink Pilbara Breakfast, raising funds for breast cancer support. Sporting groups also scored this round, with the Hedland Volleyball Association securing funding for the Northwest Regional Volleyball Competition and Hedland United Football Club for the Northwest Championships Senior Competition. Over in the west, seven community-driven projects are also set to benefit, including Ashburton Anglers for their Mack10K 2025 Fishing Competition, KBMX for the Karratha BMX Double Header Race Weekend and Yinjibarndi Art Group for their Yinjaa-Barni online upgrade. The grants are part of a wider $500,000 investment in regional communities across WA. Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the partnership funding made a real difference, delivering positive outcomes and empowering communities across WA. 'We are proud to see the positive impact the program continues to have in regional Western Australia, supporting hundreds of community initiatives across our state since 2020,' she said. 'This program is focused on supporting organisations that have a strong community impact, ensuring that funds go towards initiatives and events that are accessible to many and contribute to the overall wellbeing and vibrancy of our communities.' Applications for the next round of Horizon Power's Community Partnerships Program are expected to open in July.
