skip navigation
Home >  EnergySafety >  Regulation >  Network operators >  Gas supply network safety and network supply standards

Gas supply network safety and network supply standards

Gas Standards (Gas Supply and System Safety) Regulations 2000

The Gas Standards (Gas Supply and System Safety) Regulations 2000 were promulgated on 4 July 2000 and came into effect on 2 August 2000.

Increasing competition in the gas industry has the potential to impact on the technical and safety standards of gas suppliers as they come under pressure to reduce costs to remain competitive. To safeguard the public and consumers in such a changing environment, these new regulations have been introduced to ensure:

  • the safety of the public, gas consumers and gas workers in the vicinity of gas distribution assets; and that
  • gas supplies conform to acceptable standards of quality and metering accuracy to protect ordinary gas consumers.

The Western Australian Government recognised the need for an adequate technical and safety regime to be in place prior to the completion of the AlintaGas sale. These regulations fill what was seen as a gap in the existing regulatory framework.

An Industry Working Group comprising representatives of the major stakeholders AlintaGas, Origin Energy, Kleenheat Gas and EnergySafety developed the regulations. A public consultation phase through mail-outs and a notice in The West Australian newspaper requesting interested parties to provide written comments on the draft regulations was also a major component of the development phase of the regulations. It is believed that the regulations reflect a best practice approach to light handed regulation.

In regard to safety matters, gas distribution network operators will have two choices for demonstrating compliance with required outcomes:

  1. They will be able to comply with prescribed industry standards; or
  2. They can submit a "safety case" which is based on the requirements of the AGA 606 code. This provides a more flexible way of demonstrating compliance.

EnergySafety appreciated the significant effort made by the Working Group members and also thanks industry and public stakeholders who took the time to provide comments on the content of the regulations.

For enquiries on this matter, please contact EnergySafety's Principal Engineer Gas Supply by telephoning (08) 9422 5200.

LP Gas standards

The standards for LP Gas (liquid petroleum gas) are detailed in Division 3 of the Gas Standards (Gas Supply and System Safety) Regulations 2000. The regulations were promulgated on 4 July 2000 and came into effect on 2 August 2000.

Further information about the introduction of the Gas Standards (Gas Supply and System Safety) Regulations 2000 is available on this page above.

Copies of the legislation may be obtained from the State Law Publisher.

Network Operators

Refer to the Economic Regulation Authority for details of gas network operators.