More than 450 homes and businesses in Wandong-Heathcote Junction will soon have access to cheaper and cleaner energy, with the Victorian Coalition Government and Envestra reaching an agreement to connect the town to the state’s natural gas network.

Acting Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan announced the agreement today, another triumph of the Coalition Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund – $1 billion quarantined for regional and rural spending.

“This excellent project will see more than 450 Wandong-Heathcote Junction households and businesses get the option to switch to natural gas, which generally costs about one-third the price of bottled gas,” Mr Ryan said.

“These savings will spur development in Wandong-Heathcote Junction, making it more attractive to residents and businesses. It is an example of the Coalition Government building for growth, and investing in a prosperous future for this important regional community.

“Envestra will oversee construction of approximately 1.3 kilometres of supply and trunk pipeline and more than 11 kilometres of reticulation pipeline to connect the town to natural gas, and the network can be extended as Wandong-Heathcote Junction grows.

“Opportunities to develop existing businesses and establish new ones will give the local economy a significant boost, and lead to a better quality of life for residents.

“The Coalition Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, set aside specifically for regional and rural spending, has delivered yet another victory for regional and rural Victorians.”

Mr Ryan said it was estimated that Wandong-Heathcote Junction would have access to natural gas by the end of 2015, pending approval from the Australian Energy Regulator.

“In order for the development agreement to be completed, Envestra is conducting a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study to finalise a detailed project design and costs,” Mr Ryan said.

“The FEED study commenced in April and is expected to be completed in July 2013, with the aim being to have Wandong-Heathcote Junction connected to natural gas by 2015.”

Meanwhile, Mr Ryan said Labor’s regional spokesperson Jacinta Allan, along with Labor member for Northern Victoria Candy Broad and Federal Labor MP for McEwen Rob Mitchell, should apologise to the people of Wandong-Heathcote Junction for their blatant scaremongering and dog-whistle politics.

“Ms Allan, Ms Broad, Mr Mitchell and Labor deliberately created uncertainty in the Wandong-Heathcote Junction business community for the sake of some cheap political points. They have aimed to create the impression that the Coalition would not deliver gas, repeatedly trying to scare Wandong-Heathcote Junction residents and businesses,” Mr Ryan said.

“Labor confirmed in 2010 that it would connect no more regional towns to gas. The Coalition Government has delivered, no thanks to the constant claims it couldn’t be done – and whingeing and whining – from Labor.”

For more information about Wandong-Heathcote Junction’s connection, please visit http://www.envestra.com.au.  Read More

More than 1,400 homes and businesses in Bannockburn will soon have access to cheaper and cleaner energy, with the Victorian Coalition Government and SP AusNet reaching an agreement to connect the town to the state’s natural gas network. Read More

Residents, community groups, businesses and local government throughout Gippsland are encouraged to have their say on the National Harmonised Regulatory Framework for coal seam gas before submissions close on February 18, Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said today.

In December, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Michael O’Brien released for public consultation a draft National Harmonised Regulatory Framework for coal seam gas and called for community comment.

Mr Ryan said the national framework process considers leading practice approaches to the regulation of the coal seam gas industry, including water management and monitoring; well design and integrity; hydraulic fracturing; and chemical use.

“The draft framework makes the important point that governments play a crucial role in delivering regulation that is effective in managing coal seam gas activities and efficient in maximising the benefits to the community,” Mr Ryan said.

“The framework aims to provide greater levels of consistency, certainty and transparency in the development of the coal seam gas industry throughout Australia.”

The Victorian Coalition Government announced in August a series of changes to provide certainty for communities and industry ahead of the development of the national framework.

“These changes include a hold on the use of hydraulic fracturing and the issuing of any new exploration licences for coal seam gas until after the development of the national framework, and a permanent ban on the use of BTEX chemicals in Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said exploration for coal seam gas in Victoria was at a very early stage with no coal seam gas production currently occurring anywhere in Victoria.

“While the location of Victoria’s coal resources is well known, the amount of any associated gas and the feasibility of extraction remains uncertain,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said the draft framework and further detail about the public consultation process is available at http://www.scer.gov.au/workstreams/land-access/coal-seam-gas/. Public consultation will occur until 28 February 2013.

Media contact: Ben Bulmer 0437 108 870 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0437 108 870 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting Read More

The Victorian Coalition Government has announced tough new reforms to further safeguard the interests of communities, the environment and food production in the exploration for coal seam gas, Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said today.

Mr Ryan said that alternative sources of natural gas presented potential economic benefits and new jobs for Gippsland communities, however the Coalition would not allow new industries to threaten local livability, the environment or food production.

The reforms which come into effect immediately are:  Read More