Gas supply update 9: Permanent pipeline works complete

APA Group has now successfully completed the permanent repair of the pipeline that was damaged during the flooding event at the Macquarie River site, reinstating the Young Lithgow Pipeline service.

While the permanent pipeline is now complete, the temporary pipeline solution which was completed on Sunday 20 November, had already allowed APA and Jemena to restore gas supply to all customers in the Wallerawang, Lithgow and Oberon areas.

APA Group CEO and Managing Director Adam Watson acknowledged everyone involved in the response and their focus on restoring gas to these communities as quickly and safely as possible, firstly via the LNG and temporary pipeline solutions and now, the reinstatement of the permanent pipeline.

"So many people including the teams at APA and Jemena, the Local Emergency Management Committee, the local councils and community organisations have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone," Mr Watson said.

"The APA and Jemena teams on the ground have received enormous support from residents and businesses, and I'd like to once again thank the community for their support. I'd also like to again acknowledge the support from the emergency services, SES, NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole and the Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee, and our contractors, who pulled out all stops to support the community and all three solutions.

"The effort to restore gas was incredible. Gas to vulnerable services and some customers was brought back online via the trucked LNG solution within 12 days, full supply was delivered within 18 days through the temporary pipeline solution, despite further impacts from flooding in the area, and the permanent solution was completed in under seven weeks.

"I want to thank all those involved with more than 200 APA employees and contractors brought in to work on the three solutions from across Australia. Without them we wouldn't have been able to achieve this."

During construction of both the temporary LNG solution and temporary and permanent pipelines, APA and Jemena have had the support of contractors from across Australia, including local contractors and businesses as far as Perth and Tasmania.

APA's initial assessment suggests that the damage to the Young Lithgow Pipeline in November was caused by flooding.