City of Albany to work with State Government to ensure customers affected by ATCO gas decision are supported

Officials are reassuring Albany residents “they are not alone” in the wake of last month’s announcement that the city’s gas network will be decommissioned, with a working group soon to convene to discuss concerns. Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation Amber-Jade Sanderson said she had been in conversation with Albany mayor Greg Stocks regarding the transition. She confirmed the Government and city would work together to ensure reliable energy supplies are available to affected customers. “I want to reassure the Albany community there is no immediate impact on customers, and no immediate action is required,” she said. “The State Government will work with energy providers and regulators to ensure that households and businesses affected by this decision continue to have access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy options. “We want to achieve the best possible outcome for Albany.” ATCO announced last month it was decommissioning Albany’s reticulated gas network, which services about 8000 business and residential customers with liquefied petroleum gas. The official decommissioning is beginning in the second half of this year and is expected to take three years to complete. Ms Sanderson said the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification would soon convene the first meeting of the Albany Gas Network Decommissioning Working Group to hear concerns and examine all options for energy supplies. The meeting would include representatives from the City of Albany, the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry and key government departments and agencies including education and health, Synergy and Western Power. ATCO, Supagas, local trade groups and electrical goods retailers will also take part. Mr Stocks said discussions were under way to ensure local perspectives were considered in the transition. “We know this news will be unsettling for many people in our community, and I want to reassure residents and businesses that they are not facing this situation alone,” he said. “The City of Albany is working closely with the State Government to ensure the voices of our community are heard and that any solutions put forward are practical, fair and focused on those who will be impacted.” Mr Stocks said they wanted to find solutions that would work best for the community. “Efforts are focused on finding options that are viable, effective and feasible, with community needs front of mind,” he said. ATCO customers can get more information at atco.com.au, and people can go to the Energy Policy WA website to sign up for updates.