Community
19 February, 2026
Push for greater clarity on gas network shutdown
RESIDENTS and businesses in Terang will have access to greater transparency around the planned closure of regional compressed natural gas (CNG) networks.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said the government will be forced to cough up key findings following a successful Liberal/National passage of a motion in the Legislative Council which requires the release of government documents related to the decision.
In August last year, the Allan Labour Government announced its intention to phase out CNG supplied by Solstice Energy in ten regional towns including Terang, a community where many households and small businesses continue to rely on gas appliances for heating, cooking and commercial operations.
In making the announcement, Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio called it a “failed gas supply program” which had been introduced under the former Coalition Government – saying the program locked Victorians into higher bills.
Solstice Energy, which took over operations previously under the name Tas Gas, told customers it would switch off its gas networks across regional Victorian towns – including Terang – before the end of 2026.
While the Victorian Government has announced a range of measures to support customers in the switch – notably upfront financial support and the removal of the income eligibility cap for affected customers – it will also now have to provide the briefings prepared for the minister, communications between Solstice Energy and the department as well as any consultation carried out with affected towns.
Assessments of how the closure will affect regional communities will also need to be disclosed, along with any communication with the Essential Services Commission.
Ms Britnell said the impact on residents and businesses would be significant, with high costs expected at a time when every dollar is tight.
“What the Allan Labor Government does not seem to realise is that this decision has serious consequences for Terang residents, increasing financial pressures on households and businesses required to replace gas appliances or modify energy systems,” she said.
Terang will also experience supply challenges, with alternatives such as bottled gas or electrification requiring installation work which may be more expensive in rural areas, not to mention the limited availability of contractors, creating delays or additional call-out costs due to long travel distances.
“Families and businesses are being forced to spend, in some cases, thousands of dollars to convert from CNG to bottle gas or electrification as a consequence of Labor’s mismanagement,” Ms Britnell said.
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