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Natural gas reticulation remains high priorityGippsland East MP, Craig Ingram, said today that he is working with the State Government and East Gippsland Shire Council to ensure East Gippsland is connected to natural gas in the quickest time possible. By Craig Ingram - 10th June 2003 - Back to News "The State Government made a commitment in last month’s budget to connect Bairnsdale to the natural gas network and I have meet with government following this announcement to express the need for this to occur without delay," Mr Ingram said.
Speaking in Parliament following the budget announcement, Mr Ingram highlighted the importance of natural gas reticulation to rural communities such as those in his electorate.
"My electorate covers the area along the coast where most of the natural gas that is reticulated through Melbourne and other areas of Victoria comes from," Mr Ingram told Parliament.
"To see the oil rigs from a town like Lakes Entrance and watch them burning off excess gas, knowing that you do not have access to that resource and that that imposes significant financial difficulties upon your business, is quite inequitable.
"Not only do we have the oil and gas rigs straight offshore; we also have the eastern gas pipeline, which cut a swath right through my electorate right up to Sydney.
"It had to be in Sydney for the opening of the Olympic Games; the Olympic flame was lit with East Gippsland's natural gas.
"Even though commitments were supposedly made to all the towns of East Gippsland, including Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Metung, Lakes Entrance and Orbost, none of those towns have been reticulated."
Mr Ingram has requested that the State Government provides details of how it plans to initiate the reticulation.
"It is important that the people of this electorate have a timeframe to work with so they can plan for the future.
"I will continue working with both the State Government and East Gippsland Shire Council to ensure that a co-ordinated effort results in minimal delay to our businesses and residents," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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