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Country Victoria Still Waits For Promised Natural GasThe Bracks Government yesterday dealt a sharp slap in the face to country Victorian towns still waiting for their promised gas connections. By Philip Davis - 5th September 2005 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said that although a few Yarra Ranges towns, comparatively close to Melbourne, were finally being connected, communities in remote country areas were still waiting for their natural gas.
"Prior to the 2002 election, Labor’s Minister for State and Regional Development John Brumby travelled throughout country Victoria promising gas connections left, right and centre," Mr Davis said.
"John Brumby made promises to the residents of Heywood, Smythesdale, Myrtleford, Bright, Beechworth, Nathalia, Yea, Bonnie Doon, Avoca, Terang and Wandong in November 2002. Since then, he has changed his mind announcing that Terang, Avoca and Wandong won’t be receiving natural gas after all.
"How many more similar let-downs are we going to see for country Victorian communities?
"In October 2004, the Bracks Government promised more gas connections, including those for the Yarra Ranges region, which was great news for these towns.
"But John Brumby somehow saw fit to bump Yarra Ranges to the top of the list, resulting in this region being the first recipient of gas, to the detriment of other communities that have been waiting since November 2002."
Mr Davis said time was running out for the Bracks Government to honour its commitment of delivering gas to country Victoria.
"Today marks 1008 days since the Bracks Government promised natural gas connections throughout the state," Mr Davis said.
"With just 450 days until the next State Election, John Brumby has finally announced the first connections in Yarra Ranges.
"How will John Brumby manage to meet his commitment of connecting 34 towns to natural gas by the election in 2006, when it has taken him more than 1000 days to connect the first town?
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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