Related: Government promises same supply to smaller towns

Related: Heathcote connection 'by 2016'

A TIME frame for the connection of natural gas to Heathcote, Maldon and areas of Marong is yet to be determined as the Labor government takes charge of the Energy for the Regions program.

Energy company Brookfield Australia won the contract to provide gas to the remaining 11 Victorian towns in the program - including Heathcote, Maldon and Marong - but had not publicly given details of the next stage of the roll out.

The plan includes building gas storage facilities on the edge of the towns and then piping the compressed natural gas throughout the town.

Advance Heathcote president Peter Maine said they had not been informed of where the storage site would be or when the community would be consulted next on the plan.

"Brookfield were going to run a community consultation day to get feedback on the importance of gas to the community," he said.

"As soon as they get their act together, they will make sure all interested parties are consulted with.

"No information about that has been given to us yet."

Mr Maine said there was still strong support for a gas connection in Heathcote, stating it would be "fantastic" for the town's commercial future.

"We've waited this long already, so another three or so years won't be that long to get connected," he said.

"We believe the towns that are the most enthusiastic about a connection will be the most likely to see something happen first."

There are 702 minimum passed premises in Heathcote and 468 in Maldon. Residents will be able to decide whether they opt-in for a connection.

The township of Invermay had since reconsidered its commitment to the program and will survey residents to determine whether it wanted to proceed with the gas storage facility plan.

Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber raised the issue in parliament on Tuesday and questioned the value of the program.

He said when Australia was linked in to the international gas market in the coming year, wholesale gas prices could double or even triple.

"Solar prices are coming down all the time, so we'd just be better off giving people in these towns a solar panel and an energy efficient air conditioner," Mr Barber said.

"We've always been led to believe that gas is cheap and clean, but is that really the case anymore?"

He said the cost of connecting Huntly to natural gas had been more than $20,000 per premises, with just over 200 connected so far.

The minimum passed premises in Huntly was 580.

The previous state government was successful in achieving a direct connection for Huntly due to planned population growth in the area from the Viewpoint Huntly housing estate.

Eleven other towns were not as lucky and were instead included in a "virtual" pipeline program, first trialed in towns in Tasmania.

Companies were offered subsidies to complete the program, which takes in Heathcote, Maldon and parts of Marong.

Former deputy premier Peter Ryan announced the successful tender applicant during a visit to Heathcote last year. He promised the price of gas in the towns would be the same as those with direct connections.

Minister for regional development Jaala Pulford described the Energy for the Regions program as a "white elephant" and no time frame had been set for its roll out to remaining towns.

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said she met with Ms Pulford last week to discuss the direction of the program.

She said the renewable project in Newstead could be an example in the future of new ways to supply energy to regional communities.