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Country Victorians Freeze As Gas Deadline LoomsThe clock is ticking towards the Labor Government’s gas extension deadline, while country Victorians freeze their way through another winter, Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said today. By Phillip Davis - 10th July 2006 - Back to News In November 2002, just prior to the election, the Bracks Government gave itself a deadline of four years to connect natural gas to country Victoria.
A total of 1320 days have since passed and many communities are still in the cold.
There are only 140 days (or 20 weeks) remaining until the gas deadline.
"Unfortunately for Avoca, Wandong, Terang, Bright, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon, Heywood, Smythesdale, Nathalia and Yea, this deadline will pass with no fan-fare," Mr Davis said.
"While the Bracks Government has admitted to most of these towns that their gas promises were baseless and merely electioneering, the towns of Heywood, Smythesdale, Nathalia and Yea have still not been told the truth.
"The latest information these communities received from the Bracks Government was a commitment four years ago that they would receive gas – they have heard nothing since.
"John Brumby’s silence is deafening in the communities of Heywood, Smythesdale, Nathalia and Yea.
"Country Victorians know that despite all the promises and election stunts, they are going to continue to shiver through cold winters for the foreseeable future."
Mr Davis said the country Victorian towns that were in the process of being connected to natural gas had also been lied to by the Bracks Government.
"Even in towns such as Creswick, where gas connections are taking place, residents will not rest easy for the next 140 days until the gas deadline," Mr Davis said.
"Because come 25th November 2006, many residents in country towns across the state who haven’t already, will come to the realisation that only part of their towns have been connected to gas – not the entire town as promised.
"This Natural Gas Extension Program has been a complete farce from the beginning. It was a clear vote-winning exercise that has used country Victorians and given them little in return.
"The Liberal Party and country Victorians across the state will be watching closely during the next 140 days to see what, if anything is actually delivered to these communities before the gas deadline and election day."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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