HEATHCOTE will be connected to reticulated natural gas by the end of 2016.
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Deputy Premier Peter Ryan made the announcement in Heathcote on Wednesday, saying Brookfield Infrastructure would deliver the connection using an Australian-first gas delivery solution.
Heathcote will be the third town in the City of Greater Bendigo to be added to the network in the last 12 months, together with Huntley and Marong.
Mr Ryan said the announcement was a great one for the residents of Heathcote, who had pined for natural gas for many years.
“Connecting Heathcote to gas will mean locals won’t have to purchase expensive bottled LPG, with the frustration of running out of gas set to be a thing of the past,” he said.
“Having natural gas connection will encourage more people more people to move to Heathcote and will help Heathcote attract new business and investment.”
The project will involve the construction of a daughter station on the outskirts of Heathcote which would store compressed natural gas to be piped into homes and businesses.
Mr Ryan dismissed claims from Labor Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards that the delivery method posed safety risks to the community as scaremongering and “utter baldersdash”.
“This is the churlish, second-hand comment from a Labor Party which turned its back on these communities,” he said.
“They said when they were in government, leading into the election in 2010, that they would not do any more of these extensions of natural gas into Victoria – that's what (former Premier) John Brumby said.
“Just think of the logic of what they are putting – it’s ridiculous – you would have to shut down every service station in country Victoria if you believed this sort of commentary.”
The gas will initially supplied by Brookfield’s own Tasmanian-owned subsidiary, Tas Gas.
Work on the project is scheduled to start in early 2016, but Brookfield Infrastructure Group senior vice-president Anthony Vaughan said the company would consider fast-tracking the connection if demand warranted.
“We have given the government an indicative timeframe, it’s really up to the community and stakeholders to tell us if they want it sooner,” Mr Vaughan said.
He said detailed design work on the project would start shortly.
Heathcote residents yesterday welcomed the move, saying they would no longer have to spend hours collecting and chopping wood to heat their homes.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Barry Lyons welcomed Brookfield’s investment in the region.
“The City of Greater Bendigo has been a strong advocate for the extension of the natural gas network to our towns,” Cr Lyons said.
“Our city is looking forward to also seeing Marong benefit in the future as well and Huntly which is already on line.
“Heathcote is an important part of our municipality. Natural gas will allow existing and new home builders to build on the city’s commitment to ongoing infrastructure programs that promote energy efficiencies.”