Energy Account Payment Assistance (EAPA)

From Friday 13th March, 2009 Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre has been able to help residents who are having trouble paying their energy bills by providing EAPA vouchers.

“The Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme is designed to assist householders who are financially disadvantaged and experience difficulty paying their home gas and/or electricity bills because of an emergency or crisis. The Scheme is aimed at helping people in such situations to stay connected to essential energy services.

The Scheme is a crisis program and is not intended to offer ongoing income support” NSW Govt Industry & Investment

If you are at risk of disconnection or in a financial crisis with a bill that is overdue ring the Centre on 43885801 to make an appointment which are only on a Friday. You are required to bring a copy of your original account and any subsequent correspondence from your energy provider with you. We cannot help with reconnection fees.

We offer this assistance to people who reside in the following areas: Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Fountaindale, Glenning Valley, Shelly Beach, The Entrance and The Entrance North.

Room Hire

The Berkeley Centre has available for hire for meetings, functions etc a hall, 3 meeting rooms, a counselling room, 1 small office for occasional use. Rates are reasonable.

For more information on Room Hire click here

otherwise

Click here to be taken to the Forms page where you can download the The Berkeley Centre Hire Agreement & Condtions of Hire

Seniors Broadband Internet Kiosk

A  Seniors Broadband Internet Kiosk has been established by Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre  which will be available free of charge to people aged 50 years and over.

BVNC was able to set up the kiosk with funding from the Federal Government’s Broadband for Senior’s project.

The aim of the internet kiosk is to:

• Provide older people with free access to computers and the internet;
• Support older people to gain confidence and build skills in using new technology through tutoring partnerships;
• Address the issue of older people feeling isolated and ‘left behind’ in a rapidly changing technological age; and
• Build community participation and social inclusion for older people.

The BVNC Seniors Kiosk will provide internet access to seniors so they can send and receive emails, swap files and photos and meet with other seniors who are venturing on to the internet for the first time.

BVNC staff and volunteers will be able to provide tutoring for seniors in computer and broadband use.

The internet Kiosk is located in The Berkeley Centre, 1 Heather Ave, Glenning Valley and the hours of operation will be flexible between 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday. Anyone interested in arranging a tuition session should contact Gillian Holton on 43885801.

Tax Help

For people on low incomes, non-English speaking backgrounds, seniors or disabled, Tax Help is available during the months of July to October.

For more information click here

By appointment, the following services are available:

For price list of following services please click here

Photo Copying

A colour photocopier is available for public use, when the Centre is open, at a reasonable
fee. This machine will enlarge, reduce and double-side copy. Paper sizes are from A4 to A3.

Fax Facility

If you need to send or receive a fax, then, for a small fee you are welcome to utilize ours.

Computer

Is available if you need to type a document, job application, report etc for the cost of a donation. Colour print outs at 50c per page or black & white at 15c per page.

Internet Access

For a small fee, Internet Access is available for those who are yet to connect.

Shredder

Is available if you have a number of personal or private documents to shred.