MEDIA RELEASE

Natural Gas now flowing to Yarra Glen (1 AUGUST 2005)

Multinet Gas is pleased to announce it has successfully commissioned the first city gate regulating station allowing natural gas to flow at distribution pressure to commercial and residential customers in Yarra Glen.

The city gate commissioning is the first major milestone in Multinet’s $24 million project to bring natural gas to the Yarra Ranges as part of the State Government’s $70 million Natural Gas Extension Project. A city gate is essentially a regulator that drops gas from its higher transmission pressure to a distribution pressure suitable for domestic appliance use in homes and businesses.

“When awarded the contract, we promised natural gas to the Yarra Ranges by the end of 2005, and are pleased to deliver on that promise from 1 August,” said Multinet CEO Mr Hugh Gleeson.

"Multinet is delighted to be bringing natural gas to homes and businesses in this rapidly developing region on Melbourne's eastern fringe.”

Over 50% of the gas mains for Yarra Glen have been laid, with the remainder due to be completed by the end of the year. Construction of distribution mains in Wandin will commence soon.

"We now look forward to moving to the next stages of the project, connecting several other townships in the Yarra Ranges by 2008," said Mr Gleeson.

Project manager for the Yarra Ranges Natural Gas Project, Jemena Network Services, says it will now begin laying service lines to customers in Yarra Glen who have already requested natural gas through their retailer. An early connection incentive to Yarra Glen residents and businesses, saving up to $1000 per property connected, is available. For more information, customers should contact Jemena on 1300 131 689, or call their retailer.

Multinet's move into the Yarra Valley is a logical extension of its gas network, which already delivers natural gas to 634,000 consumers in Melbourne's south-eastern and eastern suburbs.

By the end of 2008, the $24 million Yarra Ranges Natural Gas Project will make natural gas available to more than 6,000 homes and businesses in Yarra Glen, Wandin, Seville, Seville East, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Wesburn and Millgrove.

Further information, please contact: Travis Beasley 0407 770 318.