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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
GFCV became the sole supplier of reticulated gas
in Victoria. GFCV expanded throughout the 1970s
and ‘80s, but by the early 1990s government
enterprises were coming under scrutiny. The
GFCV drastically downsized and in July 1997,
disaggregated into three divisions: gas distributor
and retail companies, a gas transmission
company and an independent Market Operator,
VENCorp. The Kennett Government subsequently
privatised the distribution, retail and transmission
companies, as well as the State Electricity
Commission of Victoria.
With the demise of the GFCV, the Office of
Gas Safety became the gas safety regulator for
Victoria, from 1997 – 2005. Its role was to regulate
the Victorian gas industry, including gas suppliers,
retail and distribution businesses, landfill gas,
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and some process
Autumn/Winter 2018
energysafe issue 50
gases. In 2005, the Office of Gas Safety merged
with the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector to
form Energy Safe Victoria.
Energy Safe Victoria carries on the role as
the independent technical regulator responsible
for electricity, gas and pipeline safety in Victoria.
It oversees the design, construction and
maintenance of electricity, gas and pipeline
networks across the state and ensures every gas
and electrical appliance meets safety and energy
efficiency standards.
From humble beginnings, with a requirement
to provide illumination for a young and struggling
city, the Victorian gas industry has grown and
matured into an industry leader, embracing
innovative technology and providing a safe
environment in which to live and work.
Did you know... took place in the grounds of Cremorne on
Monday, February 1, 1858.
After partial inflation at the Melbourne
Gasworks the balloon was conveyed to the
gardens with the assistance of a horse and cart
and about 10 men, and its distension completed
from the Cremorne gasometer. Messrs. Brown
and Dean, two specially imported aeronauts,
then prepared to ascend but at the last minute
an escape of gas was discovered, which rendered it doubtful whether the balloon would
support their combined weight. Accordingly
Dean ascended alone leaving the earth shortly
before 6 pm, and drifting northwards came to
ground near the Plenty road, seven or eight
miles from Melbourne.”
Cremorne Gardens is now a mix of homes
and light industrial estates. The gardens were
located in Cremorne, bounded by Cremorne St,
Balmain St, Palmer Parade and the Yarra River.
New licensing
and COES fees
from 1 July 2018 ESV advises that from 1 July 2018, fees for
all ESV services tied to fee units under the
Monetary Units Act 2004 will increase.
The Victorian Government indexes certain
fees each financial year including licensing and
COES fees.
These rates are now available on our
website at www.esv.vic.gov.au Please familiarise yourselves with these new
rates.
Should you have any queries please contact
our Licensing team on 1800 815 721 or at
[email protected].
To contact our COES team, phone (03)
9207 9700 and select Option 3, or email
[email protected]
That the first balloon flight in Australia
occured on 1 February 1858?
Filled with 35,000 cubic feet of coal gas, it
ascended from Cremone Gardens, Richmond.
According to the Argus newspaper:
“The recently increased interest in the art of
aerial navigation makes it worthy of note that the
first successful balloon ascent made in Australia
By Neil Fraser, Deputy Director ESV