Gas supply update 3: Bathurst, Wallerawang, Lithgow and Oberon

APA Group is working as quickly and as safely as possible to repair a section of its Young Lithgow Pipeline following a leak late on Wednesday 2 November, which has impacted gas supply to the Bathurst, Wallerawang, Lithgow and Oberon areas.

APA crews have reinstated gas supply to Bathurst, enabling network operator Jemena to start progressively turning gas back on for customers in the Bathurst area, however, it may take weeks to restore supply to all affected customers as restoring gas supply is a complex process.

APA and Jemena teams are working closely together to bring all customers back on supply as quickly as possible, and APA is actively supporting the gas restoration plan.

Supply to Wallerawang, Lithgow and Oberon is expected to remain affected for at least several weeks.

APA unreservedly apologises for the disruption this has caused and we are working with local authorities to understand how we can assist and support those in the community who have been impacted.

APA, which owns and operates the pipeline, is still investigating the cause of the leak but initial assessment suggests recent flooding is likely to be a factor.

The section of pipeline that has been affected runs underground, beneath the Macquarie River, and this area is currently flooded which means we have been unable to fully access the site.

Our crews are doing all they can at this time to help reinstate gas to all affected areas.

The weather and flooding we are experiencing in the area presents additional challenges in getting access to the site to commence repairs.

That said we are progressing several repair options in parallel to identify the fastest feasible restoration of gas supply.

We are working with local and state governments, emergency services and police to understand the needs of those affected and how we can assist them.