Public asked to comment on bottled gas report

30/8/07
The public will be asked to comment on a new report into the affordability of bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for household use.
The report was commissioned by Energy Minister Francis Logan in response to concerns by consumers, particularly those in regional and outer metropolitan areas, about the soaring price of bottled LPG.
"From 2001 to 2006, the retail price of bottled LPG doubled in some regions, with the average price rising to close to $100," Mr Logan said.
"By comparison, the income of pensions and other fixed-income groups increased by only 30 per cent in the same period.
"It was important to identify the reasons for this disparity and work out what can be done to help those people trying to absorb the bottled gas price increases."
Mr Logan said the inquiry, which was led by Collie-Wellington MLA Mick Murray and Avon MLA Max Trenorden, was asked to provide advice and recommendations in relation to the price of LPG, sustainability principles, other energy sources and gas supply alternatives.
Some of the report's key recommendations included a range of initiatives addressing energy affordability, such as:

• an energy efficiency program for low-income households;
• policies regarding appliance installation in public housing;
• zero interest appliance loan schemes or rebates;
• targeting low-income families with bigger rebates under the solar hot water heater rebate program; and
• measures to provide greater transparency and justification of price components for domestic producer wholesale LPG prices.