Published on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 3:12:48 PM
The City of Albany has formally requested that the State Government consider a minimum financial compensation package for residents and businesses affected by ATCO Australia’s decision to decommission the city’s reticulated gas network.
To support impacted residents and businesses, the City of Albany has respectfully requested that the State Government consider the following assistance measures:
1. Full financial compensation for households and businesses that choose to transition to gas
bottles or cylinders.
2. A 75% subsidy on total conversion costs for those transitioning to electricity.
3. A separate consideration for residents and businesses facing unique circumstances that may
significantly increase the complexity of the transition process.
Mayor of Albany Greg Stocks said the decision to decommission the network was made during a period of national cost-of-living pressures which added significant concern across the community.
“This is a major structural change for our city, and it has been imposed without the level of engagement or planning our community deserves,” he said.
“Residents and businesses need certainty, financial support, and time to make informed decisions.”
The State Government recently announced $10.8 million to support LPG conversion for social housing properties, which the City acknowledges as an important step in assisting these residents.
“This funding is a positive and important step for social housing residents who are among the most vulnerable in our community,”
“The scale of this transition means we must ensure that support is extended more broadly, so households and businesses outside the social housing system are not carrying a financial burden.”
The City, with Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry has identified that some businesses may face closure due to the financial and logistical burden of converting within the proposed timeframe.
The City’s preferred outcome was the retention of the existing gas network; however, this has proven unviable due to a lack of interest from alternative providers to assume operation of the network.
A request for the transition process to commence in 2027 has been made by the City, as residents and businesses have not yet received sufficient information or lead time to make informed decisions.
The City is calling for a measured and collaborative approach that ensures flexible timelines, clear communication, and realistic solutions that reflect financial, logistical, and workforce constraints.
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