“The connection of both towns has been made possible with the support of the State Government’s $70 million Natural Gas Extension Program,” said Envestra managing director Ian Little.
“The contractors are due on site early in the new year undertaking preparatory work, with construction of the high pressure lateral pipeline connecting the Eastern Gas Pipeline to Bairnsdale starting shortly thereafter. Patties Foods and the hospital will be the first consumers in Bairnsdale to be connected to the networks and this is scheduled to occur in June 2005.”
Envestra undertook some preliminary laying of gas mains in Bairnsdale’s new Eastwood Estate when it was being established about 12 months ago to ensure minimal disruption once natural gas was available.
“It will take three years to complete the roll-out in Bairnsdale and around one year for Paynesville, once the pipeline has been laid to each town”, Little said.
