Reticulated natural gas to households and businesses in Busselton from today

27/5/98

A new energy source is flowing to the South-West town of Busselton today, thanks to a 22 km stretch of pipeline which is delivering reticulated natural gas to households and businesses for the first time.

Gas to Busselton is the second stage of a successful $8.6 million project which has already seen natural gas delivered to Westralian Sands Limited and RGC Mineral Sands Ltd in Capel and now to Busselton.

Energy Minister Colin Barnett was in Busselton today to turn a valve signifying the release of natural gas into AlintaGas reticulation network.

"Beginning immediately, and over the next two to three years, AlintaGas will make natural gas available to about 40 per cent, or 2,000 households in Busselton as well as hospitals, restaurants, tourist accommodation and small businesses to the gas network system," Mr Barnett said

"The price of reticulated natural gas will be the same as that enjoyed by the people of Bunbury and Perth and as demand for natural gas increases, AlintaGas will continue to connect more customers."

Mr Barnett said that the delivery of natural gas to Busselton had been made possible by the successful first stage of the project, a 23 km high pressure pipeline from Boyanup to Capel allowing Westralian Sands and RGC Mineral Sands to convert facilities from distillate, waste oil and coal-fired, to natural gas-fired.

"This first stage of the pipeline was completed on time and ahead of schedule and was an important addition to the operations of the two mineral sands companies," Mr Barnett said.

"Similarly, the arrival of natural gas in Busselton is of major significance to the town."

To commemorate this significance, Mr Barnett presented Barry Blaikie, Vice President of the Busselton Historical Society and former Member for Vasse, with a dossier of the history of the project for the society's records.

"Busselton is rich in history and the arrival of natural gas is another milestone for the town. I am delighted that the Historical Society views gas to Busselton as such a significant event and the information being presented to Barry Blaikie will sit alongside information on events such as the arrival of the Bunbury-to-Busselton railway line, built in 1894, and the Busselton jetty."

Mr Barnett also congratulated AlintaGas on their efforts to preserve the natural environment during both stages of the project. AlintaGas and the Busselton Shire Council will now work on developing a community walking trail between Capel and Busselton.

Media contact: Justine Whittome, (08) 9222 9699