Cost of living strikes Gloucester families and support services hard

THE rising cost of life’s essentials is putting increasing pressure on households across Australia, with regional communities such as Gloucester facing their own challenges.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show housing costs rose five per cent nationally in the year to July, while food prices increased 3.2 per cent, rents 3.6 per cent and electricity 6.1 per cent.

In Gloucester, local support organisations are seeing firsthand what those figures mean around the kitchen table.

Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group (BWNG) CEO Anna Burley said people were making difficult choices about where their money went.

“When food, rent, power and fuel all cost more, there just isn’t much room left in the household budget, and an unexpected bill can tip people over the edge,” Anna said.

“We regularly see new people who need some kind of assistance, including working families who simply cannot make ends meet.”

Around 180 people sought assistance from BWNG last financial year.

While overall demand had not increased significantly, Anna said the organisation was spending more per person because grocery costs had risen.

Rental housing is another part of the squeeze.

McGrath Real Estate Property Manager Sarah Fulton said modest rental properties could still be found in Gloucester, but supply was limited.

“For lower-income households, the challenge isn’t necessarily finding a rental property – it’s finding something that’s both suitable and genuinely affordable on their available income,” she said.

Bigger families faced particular challenges, with fewer large homes available.

Gloucester Charities President Ronda Teece also reported larger families, particularly those with four to six children, were finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

The organisation raises funds through its volunteer-run second-hand bookshop and provides Woolworths food and fuel vouchers to people experiencing financial hardship.

Voucher demand rose about 25 per cent between July and August, while requests for fuel vouchers jumped 50 per cent.

“Last year we had 585 requests for food vouchers from about 47 clients, and I expect that will increase this year,” Ms Teece said.

BWNG’s Safety Net Emergency Relief Program has recommenced, offering help with groceries and electricity bills and referrals to free financial counselling.

BWNG provides assistance every Thursday from 9am to 3pm.

Together with Gloucester’s Food with Friends initiative, these services form part of a strong local support network helping residents when household budgets are stretched.

By Sonja DUNCAN