Cr Doug Hamilton anticipates the arrival of gas cooking and heating in Lang Lang.By Paul Dunlop
GAS is coming to Lang Lang.
The town is one of five around South Gippsland to be connected to natural gas under a $50 million agreement between the State Government and Multinet Gas.
Minister for State and Regional Development John Brumby announced the news in Leongatha last week.
Mr Brumby said the rollout would occur over a threeyear period to 2010, with physical works beginning early in 2007.
Under the agreement, Lang Lang residents would use gas from the soontobe commissioned BassGas Processing Plant established near the township to commercialise gas from the Yolla gas field in Bass Strait, Mr Brumby said.
The minister said it was great news for Cardinia Shire Council and residents.
Inverloch, Korumburra, Leongatha and Wonthaggi will also be connected to gas as part of the agreement.
“Multinet estimates it will lay about 20 kilometres of highpressure transmission pipeline, 57 kilometres of supply mains and over 182 kilometres of distribution mains, passing approximately 10,000 dwellings in South Gippsland, with gas becoming available progressively to the five towns from 2007,” Mr Brumby said.
Councillors welcomed the State Government’s commitment to connect natural gas to the Lang Lang township.
Council had made submissions to the government, lobbying for gas to be connected to the shire’s outlying towns with Gembrook, Emerald, Upper Beaconsfield, Kooweerup and Lang Lang as a priority.
Mayor Garry Runge and Western Port Ward councillor Doug Hamilton praised the decision, but pledged to continue campaigning for gas connection to the region’s other outlying townships.
“In our submissions to the government we put forward strong reasons as to why Kooweerup and Gembrook should also be included in future natural gas rollouts,” Cr Runge said.
“We thank the government for including Lang Lang in the South Gippsland rollout, but look forward to the opportunity to secure gas for other Cardinia towns in future projects,” Cr Runge said.
Cr Hamilton said natural gas would make a huge difference to the lives of Lang Lang residents.
“For too long we have had to rely on very expensive bottled gas, or electricity, for all our services from cooking to heating and hot water,” he said.
“This will provide residents with an efficient and affordable energy option, representing a saving of $600 to $1000 per household annually.”
