THE finish line of a 20-year marathon to bring natural gas to Terang is finally in sight.
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The state government yesterday announced a deal had been struck with Brookfield Infrastructure Group to connect the town to compressed natural gas (CNG) with work on the multi-million-dollar project expected to begin before years end.
The announcement comes after four year’s of speculation and delays following the government’s commitment to connect the town prior to the 2010 state election.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development Peter Ryan said the CNG delivery solution would involve building a large “daughter station” on the outskirts of Terang, with compressed natural gas trucked in from a “mother station” in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
“From the daughter station, gas will be piped to homes at a price comparable to gas supplied through conventional pipelines,” Mr Ryan said.
Former Mortlake and Corangamite shire councillor Jim O’Brien said he had been campaigning for the connection for “at least 20 years”.
He said he had just finished a letter calling on the government to get the job done ahead of the November 29 poll.
“It’s good news, great news,” he told The Standard yesterday.
“It’s good for Terang, I think it will give the town the boost it needs.”
Mr O’Brien said his campaign started when he was a councillor on the former Mortlake shire.
“I was still on the farm at Ellerslie when I first started talking about it. Then when I came to Corangamite I continued talking about it,” he said.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m pleased the finish is in sight.
“I don’t think I’ll benefit from it, I’ll be up on the hill once it’s all finished, but it’s great for the town.”
Corangamite Shire mayor Chris O’Connor said he would like thank Mr O’Brien for his efforts.
“He has campaigned tirelessly and shown a real passion in seeing this announcement made,” Cr O’Connor said.
“The announcement is a vote of confidence in the Terang community, it will further enhance the town’s reputation as a place to live and do business while bringing economic benefits.
“With the contracts already in place, I look forward to works starting in the near future.” Terang Progress Association member Grant Picone said he believed having natural gas available would make the town more attractive to industry.
“It’s really exciting news, not just for industry but for households as well,” Mr Picone said.
“It’s going to reduce the cost to households and business and make the town a more attractive place to live and set up new industry.
“As long as it’s comparable in price to other types of natural gas, it can only be a good thing.”
Member for Polwarth Terry Mulder said the piped natural gas would be delivered no matter which side won the state election on November 29. “The contracts are set in stone,” he said.
“I am thrilled to be able to say the Coalition government has delivered and we are now on our way to switching on this important connection that will reduce the cost of energy for locals and help attract new job creating businesses.”