By Aaron Cordy
NATHALIA residents are among 1,150 households and 34 businesses that will be impacted by Solstice Energy decision to cease supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) to 10 regional Victorian towns by the end of 2026.
On Solstice’s website, they have briefly addressed the decision:
“Some of Victoria’s regional natural gas networks operate differently from other networks. They are a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) network. This means that gas has to be compressed in another town and then trucked in, which costs more,” said the website statement.
“Prices have gone up quickly over recent years, which means customers in regional Victoria are paying more than customers in the rest of Victoria.”
For affected residents and businesses there are only two options: upgrade to electric appliances or convert to bottled gas (LPG), along with your appliances. Neither of which is a cheap opposition with the cost-of-living-crisis.
Solstice Energy will offer upfront payments to assist with the transition to bottled LPG or electric alternatives, with www.energy.vic.gov.au offering resources for households.
Questioning the Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio in Parliament this week,
Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, argued that the current financial support being offered to affected residents and businesses does not “cover” the high transition costs.
“This decision by Solstice Energy has left many residents and businesses in Nathalia significantly financially impacted by this transition and deeply distressed,” said Ms O’Keeffe
“Over 150 residents and local businesses in Nathalia are impacted, with many that are expected to pay thousands of dollars that they simply do not have.”
Nathalia’s connection to CNG will cease from SUNDAY, August 16.
Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang, Marong, Maldon, Heathcote, Terang, Lakes Entrance and Orbost are the towns affected by Solstice Energy’s CNG shutdown, along with Nathalia.
