ACT gas phase-out raises concerns for NSW border towns

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) plans to phase out piped gas by 2045, a move that has raised concerns regarding its impact on gas users in New South Wales (NSW) border towns.

During a recent Legislative Council session, Nationals Upper House member Nichole Overall questioned NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe about potential cost increases and reliability issues for residents in border areas. Overall argued that households and businesses on both sides of the border may need to seek alternative energy sources, potentially leading to a reliance on bottled gas.

Minister Sharpe responded that while the NSW government is monitoring the situation, the ACT's decision is a matter for its own jurisdiction and that NSW has limited control over the resulting price fluctuations or system changes.