❓ This parliamentary question addresses the proposed decommissioning of the Albany gas network, seeking detailed cost estimates for household transitions, infrastructure upgrades, and government asset conversions, as well as exploring potential support packages and funding models.
AnsweredQoN 2056Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the proposed decommissioning of the Albany gas network and the transition of approximately 8,000 connections, and I ask:(a) What is the estimated average cost per household to transition from reticulated gas to:(i) bottled LPG; and(ii) full electrification;(b) What is the estimated total cost burden across all affected households and businesses;(c) What is the estimated cost to upgrade electrical infrastructure required to support increased demand resulting from this transition;(d) What is the estimated cost to transition all State Government-owned assets in Albany, including public housing and government buildings, away from reticulated gas;(e) What support package has been modelled to compensate affected customers;(f) What is the estimated total cost of such a package;(g) Has the Government considered a cost-sharing model to enable retention or staged upgrade of the network between:(i) the State Government;(ii) Local Government;(iii) ATCO;(iv) Gas Providers - eg: Alinta; Origin; Supagas; and(v) Consumers; and(h) Has the Government considered applying to the Federal Government for a Regional Development Sustainability Grant for funding to assist with the burden of cost?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 May 2026
Responded by
Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Response time
6 days
(a) – (h)
The decommissioning of the Albany Gas Distribution System was a commercial decision made by ATCO Australia as the private owner and operator of the network. The State Government has established a working group to assess options for customers impacted by ATCO’s decision.
As part of the 2026-27 State Budget, $9 million will be invested to transition social housing properties in Albany to alternative energy sources. An additional $1.8 million has been allocated for transition planning and evaluating options for the wider community.
The decommissioning of the Albany Gas Distribution System was a commercial decision made by ATCO Australia as the private owner and operator of the network. The State Government has established a working group to assess options for customers impacted by ATCO’s decision.
As part of the 2026-27 State Budget, $9 million will be invested to transition social housing properties in Albany to alternative energy sources. An additional $1.8 million has been allocated for transition planning and evaluating options for the wider community.
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