January 30 | CanberraDigest

Hello Canberra,

☁️ Weather: 29° and Cloudy.

📆 Today: It’s Tuesday 30th January.

This is a previous issue of Canberra Digest. Get Canberra news, events, culture and more sent to your inbox every morning. Subscribe for free.

News: 🔌 Power Prices Could Increase by 17%

The ICRC has estimated that electricity costs in Canberra could increase by 17% in the coming financial year. This will directly affect households who pay the Standard Offer rate. Fewer than 21% of Canberrans currently pay the standard offer. Most Canberrans are on a Market Offer, and it’s still unclear what impact this will have on the average electricity bill.

Canberra’s Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) sets power prices in Canberra primarily to regulate the electricity market, ensuring that prices are fair and reasonable for consumers while also allowing electricity providers to maintain a viable business.

Canberra currently pays the lowest average electricity price in Australia. The average rate (from October 2023) in the ACT was 26.6c/kWh. In NSW, it’s closer to 40c/kWh.

The ABC interviewed ICRC Senior Commissioner Joe Dimasi here.

P.S. - Canberra offers interest-free loans to both homeowners and body corporates, with zero upfront costs, to pay for things like Solar Panels. This might be a good time to look into the Sustainable Household Scheme. Details here.

Tonight: 🏀 U.C. Capitals vs Townsville

The U.C. Capitals are taking on top of the table Townsville Fire at the National Convention Centre. The game starts at 7pm. Tickets here.

Thursday: Simpsons Trivia at The Durham

The Durham Pub is hosting its annual Simpsons Trivia night this Thursday, covering seasons 1-10. It’s $10pp. Details here.

Something to do: ✍️ Tipsy Sketching Club

The Tipsy Sketching Club does life drawing at the pub. It’s a fun, relaxed way to spend an evening with friends while trying your hand at drawing. Sessions are held across Canberra at popular pubs. There are no memberships; you just buy tickets to the events you wish to attend. The first session is tonight at Wakefield’s Bar & Wine, and tickets are still available. Details here.

This Weekend: 🍷 Wine Appreciation Course

Pique Pique runs a fuss-free introduction to wine and the Canberra wine region. You’ll learn the essential elements of wine and how it’s made, as well as tasting your way through a hand-picked selection of Canberra wines. Details here.

News: 🚒 Small Grassfire in Lyneham

A fire broke out next to Gungahlin Drive yesterday afternoon at around 4pm. 12 firefighting vehicles were on the scene to extinguish the blaze. No properties were threatened.