Mt Gambier gas supply cut after technical fault
Homes and businesses that use gas in Mt Gambier have been urged to turn their valves off after supply was cut to the town earlier on Thursday.
SA News
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Thousands of Mount Gambier homes will remain without gas for the next few days as supply is gradually restored to the South-East city.
A fault in pipeline equipment, which caused gas to be cut to 9000 homes and businesses on Wednesday night, has been repaired.
But safety requirements dictate a careful resumption starting today.
The hospital was first in line to be reconnected but nine surgical procedures were rescheduled because of sterilisation issues.
It would be followed by other vulnerable customers, with all supply expected be back by Monday, network operator APA Group said.
Emergency crews will need to visit each home or business to switch off valves at the gas meters before gas can be restored.
“APA Group representatives will then visit each property to reinstate supply,” general manager Ed De Prinse said.
“Consumers will be either reconnected if at home, or if not, a card will be left to instruct how to relight appliances.”
The fault occurred at a meter station where Epic Energy, operator of the South East Pipeline System, transfers the gas to APA Group to distribute via the suburban network.
Epic Energy chief executive Clive D’Cruz apologised for the outage. “Our technical specialists will now investigate what prompted this unexpected issue,” he said.
APA Group and the Energy and Mining Department warned households not to connect natural gas appliances to alternatives such as bottled LPG.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin, pictured, said the outage had a big impact. “It certainly affects all sectors of our city – hospitality, business and residents,” she said.
The Southgate Motel, which is being used as a medi-hotel during coronavirus restrictions, was among those reliant on gas.
“It’s major problem for the business,” manager David Pratt said.