The decision to decommission the Albany gas network was made by ATCO and is not controlled, directed, or approved by the State Government. ATCO is a private operator and is responsible for its infrastructure and commercial decisions.
- Decommissioning of the Albany gas network has not started
- ATCO has advised decommissioning will commence in 2027 with further updates on the schedule to be provided
- Standard transition costs to LPG bottles will be covered by the State Government for households and small businesses, with funding details for larger businesses to follow later this year
- Impacted customers will receive further information on ATCO's decommissioning timeline as it becomes available
- At this time no action needs to be taken by impacted customers.
General Information
The WA Government and the City of Albany are working together to ensure Albany residents can access reliable, affordable and sustainable energy options for years to come, as the town prepares for the decommissioning of ATCO’s Albany Gas Distribution System (AGDS).
In August, the WA Government announced a further $20.9 million budget allocation for the Albany Transition Program, including $16 million to assist impacted residential customers to transition to alternative energy supplies before the gas network is decommissioned in their area. ATCO has made a voluntary contribution of $5.5 million towards the funding package, which was welcomed by the State Government.
The Albany Gas Transition working group, which was set up by the State Government and includes Albany representatives, is continuing to provide guidance on the staging of decommissioning and customer supports needed to ensure a smooth transition. The Albany Gas Transition project team, established by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, is finalising the Transition Program plan to support customers through the transition.
Following a request from the State Government, ATCO has committed to starting its decommissioning activities in the first half of 2027. This additional time will ensure that customers can make informed decisions about their future energy needs and allows government to progress the critical planning activities needed for a smooth transition.
The State Government is engaging with ATCO on the planning of the decommissioning schedule, which is expected to take place over a three-year period. No immediate action is required by customers at this time. More information will be provided on the decommissioning timeline as it becomes available and impacted customers are advised to register for updates using the below link.
If you would like to receive email updates about changes to the Albany Gas Distribution System, please register here
Trade Capacity Assessment
A detailed Trade Capacity Assessment is now underway to ensure there will be enough tradespeople to deliver the high volume of conversion works required over the three-year transition period. Local trades in Albany will be engaged as part of the process, which will include an analysis of the licences and certifications needed to deliver the works and a forecast of the expected workloads and timelines.
A consultant, engaged by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, will work with local registered qualified trades and technicians, to design a program of work that is safe and suits the needs of the Albany Gas Transition Program.
Background
The Albany Gas Distribution System (AGDS), owned and operated by ATCO Gas, supplies Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to approximately 8,000 Alinta Energy residential and business customers.
The AGDS consists of approximately 160km of pipes delivering gas from a tank farm to households and businesses across Albany.
Customers hold an account with and receive their gas bills from the retailer, Alinta Energy. The tariffs charged include an amount for ATCO’s gas distribution services.
On 19 January 2026 ATCO advised the public of its intention to decommission the Albany gas network.
More information is available on the ATCO website.
While the decision to decommission the network rests solely with ATCO, the State Government is committed to working with all parties to ensure the ongoing energy needs of Albany households and businesses are met.
Information for Households
The WA Government has approved a further $20.9 million budget allocation for the Albany Transition Program, including $16 million to assist impacted residential customers to transition to alternative energy supplies before the gas network is decommissioned in their area.
The WA Government will cover the cost of standard household transitions to LPG bottles, which is expected to be around $1,600. For complex cases, where bottled gas conversion is not possible or involves a higher cost, additional supports will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Alternatively, customers can reallocate their standard level of funding support toward the cost of purchasing electric appliances if they prefer.
ATCO has split the Albany gas network into seven zones which will be decommissioned in sequence, and the Transition Program will go live in each zone well in advance of ATCO’s shut down dates. No one will be disconnected from the gas network before they have transitioned to a new energy source.
More information on how to access support and the timeline for the Transition Program will be shared as it becomes available. In most cases payments will not be made as rebates, so it is important that impacted customers wait until they are notified that the Transition Program is live in their zone before taking any action.
If you have received unsolicited sales requests or are asked to sign anything related to your homes reticulated gas supply that concerns you, we encourage you to seek further advice from Consumer Protection.
Information for Businesses
The State Government and City of Albany have secured a commitment from ATCO to defer the decommissioning of the town centre to the final phase of the decommissioning process. This will ensure that Albany businesses have the time and space they need to make decisions about their future energy needs.
There is an interactive map that clearly marks the CBD boundary and gas connections in Albany on the ATCO website.
Small businesses
For businesses that consume lower amounts of gas annually, the WA Government will cover the cost of standard transitions to LPG bottles, which is expected to be around $1,600. For complex cases, where bottled gas conversion is not possible or involves a higher level of costs, additional supports will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Alternatively, customers can reallocate their standard level of funding support toward the cost of purchasing electric appliances if they prefer.
ATCO has split the gas network into seven zones which will be decommissioned in sequence, and the Transition Program will go live in each zone well in advance of ATCO’s shut down dates. No-one will be disconnected from the network before they have transitioned to a new energy source.
More information on how to access support and the timeline for the Transition Program will be shared as it becomes available. In most cases payments will not be made as rebates, so it is important that impacted customers wait until they are notified that the Transition Program is live in their zone before taking any action.
Larger use businesses
Businesses with larger annual reticulated gas consumption of over 30 gigajoules will be eligible for government-funded business energy audits, to help them make informed decisions on which alternative energy source to transition to. Eligible business account holders will be contacted and guided through the process in the coming weeks.
Further information on the funding support for these businesses will be announced following the results of the business energy audits.
The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) provides a free local business advisory service through SBDC Regional. Advisers can provide general business guidance to help you assess your options and make informed decisions as more information becomes available.
If you have received unsolicited sales requests or are asked to sign anything related to your businesses reticulated gas supply that concerns you, we encourage you to seek further advice before proceeding.
To speak with an adviser, contact the SBDC Regional service, delivered through Albany Business Centre, on 9841 8477 or book an appointment online.
Question and Answer
Show moreWhat is happening with the Albany Gas Distribution System?
The Albany Gas Distribution System (AGDS), owned and operated by ATCO Gas, supplies Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to approximately 8,000 Alinta Energy residential and business customers.
The AGDS consists of approximately 160km of pipes delivering gas from a tank farm to households and businesses across Albany and the surrounding suburbs.
Customers hold an account with and receive their gas bills from the retailer, Alinta Energy. The tariffs charged include an amount for ATCO’s gas distribution services. ATCO Australia has assessed the ageing network as nearing end of life and has advised that it will start decommissioning the network in stages over a three-year period, commencing in the first half of 2027.
Why can’t reticulated gas supply continue as it currently is?
In its assessment of the Albany Gas Distribution System (AGDS), ATCO identified ageing infrastructure and financial viability concerns.
The decision was based on a comprehensive review of the network that found many of the pipes making up the network are nearing end-of-life. The expense of replacing this ageing infrastructure would result in excessive costs to end users.
Who will be impacted by ATCO's decommissioning?
All residents and businesses in Albany who use reticulated gas, which is billed by Alinta Energy, will be impacted by ATCO’s decommissioning. Reticulated gas means gas that is supplied to your home or business through pipes connected to the mains network. Please be aware that at this time no action needs to be taken by impacted customers and the WA State Government will share information on next steps in the coming months.
There is an interactive map that clearly marks all of the gas connections in Albany on the ATCO website.
Please note that the decommissioning process does not include the Supagas-owned gas network in Bayonet Head.
How will impacted customers be supported through this process?
The WA Government and the City of Albany are working together to ensure Albany residents can access reliable, affordable and sustainable energy options for years to come.
For households and small businesses, The WA Government will cover the cost of standard transitions to LPG bottles, which is expected to be around $1,600. For complex cases, where bottled gas conversion is not possible or involves a greater level of cost, additional supports will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Alternatively, customers can reallocate their standard level of funding support toward the cost of purchasing electric appliances if they prefer.
Businesses with larger annual gas usage will be eligible for government-funded business energy audits, to help them to make informed decisions on which alternative energy source to transition to.
Transition funding arrangements for these businesses will be announced following the business energy audits.
Impacted customers will be contacted with clear guidance on what they need to do when the Transition Program goes live in their zone of the decommissioning plan. The WA Government will ensure that all customers are provided with everything they need to make an informed decision on their transition away from reticulated gas.
What do impacted customers need to do first?
Nothing at this point in time – further information about how the Transition Program will work will be shared in the coming weeks, and impacted customers will be contacted with clear guidance on what they need to do when the Program goes live in their decommissioning zone.
Payments will not be made as rebates, so it is important that impacted customers wait until they are notified that the Transition Program is live in their zone before taking any action.
How do I know if my business is eligible for a business energy audit?
The account holders for eligible businesses will automatically be notified by the gas retailer, Alinta Energy, and invited to register their details with the Albany Gas Transition Program.
When will ATCO begin decommissioning the gas network?
The WA Government is engaging with ATCO on commencement of its decommissioning program, to be scheduled to commence in the first half of 2027. The WA Government will ensure that customers receive plenty of notice beforehand, along with guidance on how to transition and access to available support.
What about social housing?
The Cook Labor Government approved $9 million in funding as part of the 2026-27 State Budget to transition social housing properties connected to the Albany gas network to alternative energy sources. The Department of Housing and Works will undertake property assessments in the coming months to determine the most appropriate transition solution for each property.
I’ve been approached by an LPG bottled gas retailer about switching to LPG bottled gas. What should I do?
Please wait until the WA Government publishes the information and guidance needed for you to make the best decision for your situation.
If you have received unsolicited sales requests or been asked to sign agreements relating to the future gas supply for your home or business that concern you, we encourage you to seek further advice from Consumer Protection for residents and the Small Business Development Corporation for businesses. Further information can be found on the WA Government website.
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