By Brendan Rees
Residents of the coastal villages of Cannons Creek, Blind Bight, Warneet and Tooradin will have access to natural gas if the Liberal Nationals are elected on November 24.
The Coalition has promised residents in these coastal villages access natural gas, putting downward pressure on their cost of living with this $9 million plan.
Premier Daniel Andrews has lost control of cost of living pressures and Victorians are now paying more than double what they paid on energy bills just four years ago, the Coalition argues
The Liberal Nationals say they will take the pressure off energy costs by reopening conventional onshore gas exploration, giving land owners veto power over their land and a share of royalties if they choose to participate. The ban on fracking will remain in place.
Opposition spokesman for Energy and Resources David Southwick said this was a “win-win policy” that would cut the cost of living for residents and ensure the energy needs of future generations.
“Victorians will have a clear choice at this election. More of the same new taxes and a wasteful and distrustful Andrews Labor Government, or a Liberal Nationals Government that will better manage the economy, cut taxes and take the financial pressures off Victorians,” he said.
Member for Hastings Neale Burgess said: “This commitment of $9 million is a major win for the residents of our coastal villages who have made it clear they want and need access to affordable energy.”
A Victorian Labor spokesman said the Coalition could not be trusted on delivering natural gas to households – “they completely botched this in government with the cost of connection often greater than the cost of the house.”
“The Liberal Nationals just want to give your money to big energy corporations to do nothing rather than putting money directly in the pockets of hard working families though our Solar Homes Plan,” he said.
“We’re focussed on cutting bills by putting solar panels on people’s rooftops and putting more supply into the market, not undertaking more costly Liberal and National vanity projects.”
