Below is a press release put out by the City of Unley after our efforts to pursue action by the government after the gas explosion at the Capri Cinema two weeks ago.
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GOODWOOD GAS PIPE REPLACEMENT
More than 1100 metres of gas pipe in Goodwood is to be replaced.
Residents and businesses in Gilbert, Rushton, Angus, Lewis and Weston Streets, are today being informed that work to replace the gas pipe will begin next week.
The decision to replace the pipe follows a gas explosion at the Capri Theatre two weeks ago. The explosion was the second such incident in the past four years.
The work will be completed by the APA Group, which operates and maintains South Australia’s natural gas network on behalf of Envestra Ltd, which owns the network.
Peter Sauer, APA Group’s Manager of the South Australian Natural Gas Distribution Network, said that, although the existing pipe was leak-surveyed and found to be safe after both incidents, replacing the pipe will eliminate any cause for concern in future.
“After each incident, we surveyed the pipe and found it to be safe and performing to the required specification,” said Mr Sauer.
“It has been decided to replace this particular section of pipe. Public safety is priority of Envestra and APA Group and we are determined to eliminate any chance of this happening again.”
The replacement work will affect 145 properties, including 105 natural gas customers, covered by the gas pipes. Work will begin in the week commencing Monday, November 21, and is expected to take around four weeks to complete.
APA Group representatives will visit residents this week to outline the scope of work. Residents with questions can contact 8159 1637.
The APA Group continues to investigate the incident at the Capri Theatre and will submit a report to the Office of the Technical Regulator.
The APA Group also takes the opportunity to remind people to report any smell of gas or a suspected gas leak. Leaks do occur and we need to know about them so that we can respond. The number to ring is 1800 808 526.
Peter Sauer will be available for interview in Gilbert Street at 12.30pm today (Monday November 14).