There would be thousands of Goulburn families who use gas heating to stay warm during our cold, enduring winters.

But they’re about to receive a shock, with gas prices to rise an average of 17.8 per cent from July.

The large hike in retail gas prices comes as increased export capacity pushes up wholesale gas prices.

Gas companies, with the consent of government, are flogging off the local resource overseas.

With supply limited, households here are being forced to pay a premium.

Rising gas network costs are also contributing to the regulated price increase for AGL, the major supplier of gas to NSW’s small customers.

It means from July 1, typical annual gas bills will rise by between $150 and $225 for households, depending on where people live and how much gas they use.

The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) says families on low incomes may be forced to forgo heating over winter.

Bill shock in the electricity sector has resulted in a big increase in the past five years in the number of people being disconnected from electricity – 24,888 households in 2012/13 alone.

The jump in gas prices might just send people over the edge.

State MPs like Pru Goward, representing people in colder climate electorates, have to intervene and call for concessions.

NCOSS CEO Alison Peters says young families and regional households are over-represented in energy stress statistics.

She is calling for a proportional rebate energy rebate which would see people with higher base energy needs get a higher rebate to reflect actual costs.

Of course, the Greens should be jumping up and down about this too, but are instead conspicuous by their silence.

They remain transfixed on opposing coal seam gas development while lauding the economic benefits of largely foreign- owned, heavily subsidised windfarms.

If the price of energy continues to rise, then one logical option for many battling households will be to invest in a log heater (which are selling like hot cakes, according to one local retailer).

Now the Greens wouldn’t want that to happen.

Ms Goward, meantime, makes a fair point in today’s page 1 story.

“I believe if electricity users are to continue subsidising wind farms through their electricity tariffs, then they should at least be told that fact and the amount of the subsidy they pay,” she says.

It’s not playing politics; it’s a legitimate question, especially in the context of frightening cost of living pressures.