Help for Marong families after energy provider calls it quits

THE State Government has offered support to Marong families to help “electrify” their homes following Solstice Energy’s decision to close its compressed natural gas (CNG) network across Victoria.

The Tasmania-based energy provider explained that the gas networks in 10 regional Victorian towns, including Marong, will be shut down by mid to late 2026 because they’ve become “too expensive.”

CNG networks require gas to be compressed elsewhere and then trucked into each location, which inevitably costs more.

Marong households will be able to receive $4200 in upfront support through a $1400 rebate for both rooftop solar panels and Australian made hot water units, plus the option of a $1400 solar panel interest-free loan.

The government has also is taking expressions of interest to identify more electric appliance installers for the Victorian Energy Upgrades program who can support households in affected towns to go electric.

Through the program, households can receive a discount of up to $560 and save up to $330 on their energy bills annually when they replace an existing gas hot water heater with a heat pump water heater.

“We’re making sure all impacted Solstice Energy customers have access to our rebates and discounts to help them make the switch to cheaper electric appliances that will save them money in the long run,” Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said.

“This failed gas supply arrangement was imposed on regional communities by the previous Government and would have locked them into the most expensive energy source for decades.”