The $50million project is part of the State Government’s $70-million natural gas extension project. “This permit brings us one step closer to construction of the pipeline that will bring natural gas to five towns in the region,” said Multinet chief executive Hugh Gleeson. “We look forward to getting construction underway in the new year.”
Alinta Asset Management’s senior project manager Debbie Jackson said that since August, 2005, extensive planning and design work had been undertaken. “We have been consulting with local communities, conducting environmental and cultural studies, and designing and planning the pipeline so we will be ready for construction,” she said. “We are pleased that the project is on track, and look forward to commencing construction in January 2007.”
The new pipeline is an expansion of Multinet’s gas network, which already delivers gas to 634,000 customers in Melbourne’s south-eastern and eastern suburbs. In 2003 Multinet’s ownership was restructured with the Diversified Utility and Energy Trust (DUET) and Alinta buying the business: DUET owns 79.9%, with the remaining 20.1% held by Alinta.