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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 566 asked in the Legislative Council on 31 August 2021 by Hon Colin De Grussa

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

ESPERANCE GAS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

566. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the minister representing the Minister for Energy:

I refer to the recent notification received by customers of the Esperance Gas Distribution Company, EGDC, about its impending withdrawal of service.

(1) When was the government first notified of EGDC's intention to withdraw services?

(2) What discussions have taken place between the government, Esperance shire council and EGDC regarding its withdrawal from supplying reticulated gas to Esperance? Please table details and dates of the respective meetings.

(3) What steps is the government taking to ensure that the Esperance community is not left disadvantaged and without critical services such as heating, cooking appliances and hot water?

(4) What steps is the government taking to assist businesses that may be impacted by the withdrawal of services?

Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:

I thank the member for the question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Energy.

(1) Energy Policy WA understands that a letter to customers has been sent by EGDC that flagged it will confirm with the government its position on gas retailing and distribution services by the end of September 2021.

(2) The government has been in discussions with Infrastructure Capital Group, the owner of EGDC, over the past year regarding the activities in Esperance.

(3)–(4) I have asked Energy Policy WA to work with Horizon Power and recommend available options to facilitate the future continuity of energy supplies to homes and businesses within Esperance if EGDC decides to abandon its gas retail customers. This will include the consideration of time frames for the implementation of these options and any likely impacts on consumers' bills.