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Still In The Cold About Gas Promise

Woodend residents will today participate in a Natural Gas Expo organised by SP AusNet, while the Bracks Government has left the communities of Heywood, Smythesdale, Nathalia and Yea in the cold.

By Phillip Davis - 6th April 2006 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said the future was still uncertain for these communities, which were promised natural gas connections in the lead-up to the 2002 election.

Mr Davis told Parliament last night that the Bracks Government’s bungled Natural Gas Extension Program had been ad-hoc, flawed and caused wide-spread disappointment in country Victoria.

"After many announcements during the 2002 election campaign and a mini campaign by the government in 2004 - out of embarrassment that it had failed to do anything about its promise – reticulations to further towns were announced," Mr Davis told the Parliament.

"During 2005 the government acknowledged that many communities would not receive the natural gas previously promised, and they include Avoca, Wandong, Terang, Bright, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon, Eldorado and Porepunkah.

"A number of other towns have not heard anything – that is to say the government has made no announcement whatever.

"This is an unreasonable position.

"Given that the government previously committed to extending gas to them, at this point these communities are in an uncertain position and they include Heywood, Smythesdale, Nathalia and Yea."

Mr Davis urged the Energy Minister Theo Theophanous to come clean and admit it had abandoned the communities of Heywood, Smythesdale, Nathalia and Yea.

He said these communities were living in limbo, unsure whether the Bracks Government would in fact honour its commitment to provide them with reticulated natural gas.

"There are two issues," Mr Davis told Parliament.

"One is the government’s failure to clarify the position of at least four towns that have received no advice as to when or if they will receive any assistance with reticulated natural gas. The other is the matter of the towns where the government has reneged on previous policy commitments.

"Will the Minister advise me so I can advise those communities when they will receive the natural gas that has been promised to them?"

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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