A Yarraville trader says he has been forced to shut up shop during some of his busiest trading hours due to gas shortfalls.
Under The Sea fish and chip shop owner Mal Elhouli said a sudden drop in gas pressure about 6pm on some nights has left him unable to keep his fryers going, leaving no option but to close his doors and turn away business.
“I’ve been copping it for the last four years, but it has never been this early,” he said.
Mr Elhouli said other restaurants on the Anderson Street strip were also experiencing problems, particularly once residential gas use kicked in.
“They promised me four years ago they would fix this and still nothing is done,” he said. “I cop it from 6pm to about 8pm. I’m worried about this week with the cold days coming up – if they are struggling now and it’s not even winter yet, what’s going to happen then?”
Star Weekly last year reported inner-west residents had been shivering through winter nights as ageing infrastructure failed to keep up with the growing demand for gas.
Mr Elhouli said a number of his customers have been calling out plumbers due to similar issues, only to be told the fault was with supply and nothing could be done.
“I’ve got customers coming in because they have got no gas. They’ve paid more than $200 to have a plumber come out and say there’s nothing they can do,” he said.
A spokeswoman for gas network owner AusNet Services said parts of its ageing infrastructure were being upgraded.
“To date a significant part of the network, including parts of Seddon and Yarraville have been upgraded from low pressure cast iron mains to the latest technology, using high pressure polyethylene mains,” she said.
The spokeswoman said two temporary district regulators were installed last August in response to the supply issues identified last year.
“While most of Yarraville was upgraded under the program last year, there are two small pockets still to be completed.”
Works to upgrade the mains in Anderson Street and its surroundings will start in September and run through to March next year.
The spokeswoman said around five kilometres of piping will need to be laid to complete the project but the works are best conducted after winter “for safety and community wellbeing”.
“The following year the final portion for Yarraville will be completed, which will include an upgrade to the mains on Fehon Street and its surroundings.”
Customers experiencing gas supply issues during business hours are advised to contact their retailer.
For supply issues outside business hours or leaks or emergencies at any time of day contact AusNet Services directly on 13 67 07.
