Gas Company ATCO Abandons Albany, Western Australia, Leaving 40,000 Residents to Find Alternatives
Canadian infrastructure firm ATCO announced it would shut down its gas pipeline network serving Albany, Western Australia, giving customers up to three years to switch to bottled gas or electrification. The company cited aging infrastructure and the $80 million cost of upgrades as the reason, though it has since delayed the decommissioning slightly. The decision has sparked debate about corporate responsibility, who should bear transition costs, and the precedent it sets for other Australian communities facing gas network decline.
ATCO, a Canadian-owned infrastructure company, announced the abrupt closure of its gas pipeline network in Albany, a coastal city of approximately 40,000 people in Western Australia, where service has operated for 50 years. The company stated that the aging network would cost $80 million to upgrade to safe standards, which would translate to $10,000 per customer or $400 annually over 25 years—making bottled gas a cheaper alternative. The announcement shocked local business owners like restaurant operator Les Palmer, who relies heavily on gas for his steakhouse operations, and was made public through a media release rather than direct customer notification. Albany Mayor Greg Stocks has questioned whether ATCO adequately reinvested maintenance fees collected from customers over its 15-year ownership, and has warned that the company's approach represents a troubling corporate precedent. The decision aligns with broader trends identified by the Grattan Institute, which noted that declining gas use across Australia requires planned, equitable transitions to avoid costly and chaotic outcomes.
What's missing
The article does not specify what alternative energy sources are available or practical for Albany residents and businesses, the timeline for complete network shutdown, or details on government support or regulatory frameworks being considered to manage the transition.
What different sources said
- ABC AustraliaCenter
What happens when a gas company abandons an entire city?
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