The town of Huntly recently became the first to connect to Victoria’s natural gas network under the Victorian Government’s $100 million Energy for the Regions Program.
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and candidate for Bendigo East Greg Bickley, visited Huntly to celebrate the historic connection. Mr Ryan said more than 180 homes have been connected to natural gas as part of a $4.5 million joint investment by the Victorian Government and AusNet Services, with more than 100 additional homes expected to be connected soon.
Mr Bickley welcomed the $4.5 million investment, which included $2.58 million from the Victorian Government, and said it would provide 580 homes and businesses in Huntly with the opportunity to connect to natural gas. According to Mr Bickley, the roll-out involved the installation of 3.5kms of supply pipeline and more than 13kms of reticulation pipeline, which was delivered on time and on budget with minimal disruption to the local community.
This investment opens the door for gas to be connected to the new ‘Viewpoint Huntly’ estate on Sawmill Road, with a separate agreement having been reached to supply and connect 350 additional homes to natural gas, over and above the 580 connections in Huntly.
Additionally, the government has reached agreements to supply gas to Huntly, Avoca, Bannockburn, Winchelsea, Wandong-Heathcote Junction, Koo Wee Rup, Mildura and Warburton.
