Powerco Tasmania Manager Richard Sheather said gas was now flowing in five stage one backbone networks (Longford, Westbury, Bell Bay, Wynyard and Devonport) throughout the State.

“In Launceston, approximately three kilometres of steel pipe is still to be laid,” he said. 

“We anticipate this work will be completed by the end of November with a target of having gas flowing to major customers before Christmas.

“In Hobart, our drilling contractors are on schedule and are about 400 metres across the Derwent River.

“About four kilometres of steel pipeline is still to be installed between Bridgewater and the Elwick pressure station.  Testing is planned to take place before Christmas with customers in this area to be connected by mid-January.

“A further three kilometres of steel pipe is scheduled to be installed after the Christmas break.

“Work is underway on the Burnie stage one network due to be completed prior to the end of November.”

Mr Sheather said outside the stage one and stage 2a agreements signed with the Tasmanian Government, Powerco was constructing several network extensions, including one in Salamanca Place which would go live by March and the Burnie foreshore extension due for completion by mid-2005.

He said Powerco was finalising arrangements with its contractors for the stage 2a residential network rollout, scheduled to commence in early 2005.