Council
14 August, 2025
Shire to push operator for answers
CORANGAMITE Shire will ask Solstice Energy to brief councillors after the company announced last week it will stop supplying reticulated gas in Terang.
Residents will have to swap to bottled gas or electricity before the end of 2026.
Increasing costs of trucking compressed gas from mother sites in Bendigo and Corio to a daughter site in Terang have made the compressed natural gas network unsustainable.
“It’s regrettable that shire residents have this added stress during a cost-of-living crisis and when many businesses are feeling the domino effect of reduced spending by drought-struck farmers,” Lake Keilambete Ward councillor Geraldine Conheady said.
“To its credit, the company has given more than a year’s notice and undertaken to fully fund gas appliance modifications for customers, or offer a customer payment towards new electric appliances.
“Solstice has also said it will contact every customer directly and will support vulnerable households through the transition.
“Council will continue to monitor the transition period to ensure our residents are not worse off.”
Households needing additional assistance with their bills can access the State Government’s free Energy Assistance Program on 1800 161 215.
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