Mains gas network in Albany’s CBD to be last area switched off in decommissioning following city negotiations

Albany’s CBD will be the last area in the city to have its reticulated gas network switched off, after negotiations between the City of Albany and its soon-to-depart supplier ATCO. Mayor Greg Stocks said the move provides “critical breathing room” for the hundreds of centrally located businesses and residences which were initially earmarked to be among the first affected by the three-year phase out. “Our CBD is the heart of Albany’s retail and hospitality industry,” he said. “It is where small businesses operate, employing local people and creating the vibrancy that defines our city centre. “These operators will need the greatest amount of time to transition away from the reticulated gas network — if they can transition at all. “Rushing this process presents a very real risk of well-loved local businesses closing their doors. “That would mean job losses, lost livelihoods, reduced vibrancy in the CBD and flow-on impacts to tourism and the broader local economy.” ATCO’s surprise decision to switch off the mains gas supply and force about 8000 Albany residents to transition to bottles has been met with backlash since it was first announced in January. The company bought the city’s 160km gas network, most of which is constructed from ageing PVC pipes, in 2011. Costs to replace the network with more modern polyethylene pipe would reportedly run upwards of $80 million — a price ATCO’s executive general manager gas operations Russell Godsall said would be unviable. Alongside affected residents forced to fork out between $600 to $2000 to convert their homes, are business owners who rely on the mains gas for their livelihoods. “The planned shutdown of Albany’s gas network is not a minor upgrade,” Rustlers Steakhouse owner Les Palmer said. “For restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and food-based businesses, it is a direct threat to our ability to operate.” Mr Stocks confirmed the city would continue to advocate for financial assistance and explore practical solutions to retain the CBD’s reticulated gas network. “Finding a path forward will not be easy, but one thing is clear: a functioning reticulated gas network is essential to the future strength and vibrancy of Albany’s CBD,” he said.