Power company AGL is considering bringing forward its offer of discounts for businesses along a proposed gas pipeline between Crib Point and Pakenham.
The pipeline is an essential part of AGL’s plan to moor a 300 metre long floating gas terminal at Crib Point to process imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
In June AGL “guaranteed” to discount power prices to small businesses along the pipeline route from Crib Point to Pakenham if the floating terminal is approved by governments and its own board (“Contracts ‘advance’ AGL’s gas plan” The News 12/6/18).
AGL senior manager – project engagement Kelly Parkinson has told The News that the company “provides a community offer in every community where we operate”.
“This is because we believe it’s important that our projects bring lasting benefits to the families and businesses in the communities in which we work,” he said.
“In terms of Crib Point, the full details for the offer have yet to be decided. The offer would not usually be made available until a final investment decision is made but we are reviewing this to see if the offer can be brought forward.”
Mr Parkinson said any offer by AGL “would need to consider the existing retail offers available to our customers. In the meantime, our focus is on continuing consultation with the community on our proposal for the gas import jetty.”
The review of the discount offer comes as state planning minister Richard Wynne is deciding on the need for AGL and the pipeline layer APA Transmission to undertake full environmental studies into the effects of the gas terminal project at Crib Point.
Crib Point resident Tina Bedford says businesses and community enterprises such as schools should consider the long term effects of industrialisation at Crib Point before accepting discounts from AGL.
“Crib Point is recovering from past over industrialisation, both environmentally and economically. If the Crib Point Gas Import proposal goes ahead Crib Point will not be an attractive place to live, the town will not thrive, and schools, sporting clubs, and community organisations will continue to struggle,” Ms Bedford states in a letter to The News.
Another resident, Ian Sharp (“Gas in the pipeline” Letters, The News 25/9/2018 ) blames successive governments for failing to ensure supplies to gas-rich Australia.
He says there are gas pipelines being constructed which could supply gas to Victoria and that governments should renegotiate contracts to make sure Australia does not continue to be in “the ridiculous position of having to import gas from overseas”.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 September 2018
