by Alexandra Falls
RESIDENTS of Wandong and Heathcote Junction are growing frustrated in their efforts to convince the State Government to honour their gas connection promise.
Last year Wandong and Heathcote Junction residents received a flyer from Liberal Member for Seymour candidate Cindy McLeish saying that, if elected, the State Government would ‘ensure’ a natural gas connection.
Almost a year after Ms McLeish won the seat of Seymour however; a new list of 12 Victorian towns to be connected to natural gas doesn’t mention Wandong or Heathcote Junction.
The Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group has been bidding for a connection for decades and recently produced a third petition with 600 signatures calling for Ted Baillieu to deliver on his promise.
Residents are concerned there’s no way of knowing when the natural gas connection will be installed, be it in the first term of the Baillieu Government or years from now.
In a meeting with Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Development Jacinta Allan last Wednesday attendees said the promise led people to vote for Ms McLeish and the party should be accountable for its words.
Ms Allan said she was ‘disturbed’ the Liberal party never mentioned a tender process when committing to their pre-election promise.
She said while the Brumby Government promised natural gas they maintained the connection would only go forward if a private company would go to tender.
“Residents have every right to feel let down,” Ms Allen said.
Without natural gas, some residents face $100 bills every week for heating, cooking and other household costs - a price many are no longer willing, or able, to pay.
Mitchell Shire councillor Sue Marstaeller, who also lives in Heathcote Junction, said the issue really is holding back the town.
“We’ve already lost really valuable community members because they can’t afford to (live here),” she said.
When John Perret and his wife first came to Wandong in 2001 and there was already a petition circulating for a natural gas connection.
Another petition followed it, government promises were made and unfulfilled and in 2011, with no gas connection in sight and expensive energy costs each week, the Perrets left Wandong for Kilmore.
Mr Perret said he knows of at least 20 older people who have left the towns for cheaper energy.
“People can’t afford to live in Wandong, especially on a pension; it’s just not possible,” Mr Perrett said.
Cr Marstaeller said the lack of natural gas also keeps the value of homes down, prevents people moving to the area and restricts industrial growth.
‘This has been an issue for a long time, people feel like ‘here we go again, they’re going to try and wriggle out of it.’”
Ms McLeish said the State Government is not backing away from the project, but is investigating tender options and communicating with the Premier’s Department.
“I’m absolutely as committed as I ever was to getting this process done,” Ms McLeish said.
“I drive the Premier’s Department mental reminding them how important this project is to the community.”






