AREEA members are invited to consult with the Victorian state government on the release of its Gas Market Taskforce Paper, aiming to review and address gas supply issues across the state.

The report, Premier Denis Napthine said, is the first step in the government’s decision-making process on gas challenges.

“The release of the Gas Market Taskforce’s report demonstrates the Coalition Government’s commitment to transparency and is the first step in a consultative process to seek Victorians’ views on issues of concern in regard to onshore gas in Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.

The second stage of the process will involve Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon Nicholas Kotsiras, commencing a thorough facilitated consultation process from April 2014 across Victorian communities to seek community and individual responses directly.

“This 12 month community consultation process will include public submissions, thorough facilitated community meetings and workshops with key stakeholders such as farmers, environmental groups, community groups and individuals across Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.

“A report on the findings and recommendations of the community consultation process will be publicly released in July 2015.

“We will consider a wealth of information from a variety of sources in order to gain a full and comprehensive understanding of these issues.”

For more information about the consultation, due to close in March 2014, click here.