Natural Gas Survey of Businesses

22 May, 2008

The Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board (SMEDB) is working to realise a multi-million dollar upgrade to the natural gas supply pipeline for increased capacity to the Mildura region.

For SMEDB to accurately identify the need for natural gas within the region, they are seeking the assistance of local businesses by completing a survey of current and prospective use.

The survey asks for annual use of natural gas, prospective annual use of natural gas if it was available to the customer, and also any plans for expansion that would impact on the levels of natural gas use in their business.

Natural gas is an important energy option not only for the region’s economy, but for individual businesses to be able to access natural gas on demand to streamline and expand their business operations.

The benefits of natural gas include:

• Low cost
• Clean and natural
• Abundant energy source
• Produces lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Lower carbon dioxide emissions

Andrew Millen, CEO of SMEDB says “Only with significant investment in the natural gas infrastructure from South Australia, will the capacity of the network be increased.”

“By quantifying the business and industry demand for natural gas, it will provide us with a strong case for an upgrade to the pipeline and for the benefits to flow on to residential users,” concluded Mr Millen.

The short business survey is available online by visiting www.milduraregion.com.au or contacting SMEDB on 5018 8188.