Incidents, emergencies and accidents
Under the Gas Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2022, Network Operators are required to report all incidents, accidents, emergencies and gas quality specification variations that occur on any gas network in accordance with the reporting guidelines.
NSW Gas Networks Reporting Guidelines.
Incidents and emergencies
The network operator must notify the Secretary through the Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) upon becoming aware of an incident. Incidents can include the following.
- Unplanned escape and/or ignition of gas that requires active involvement by any emergency service (fire brigade, ambulance etc.).
- Unplanned disruptions to the supply of gas to five or more customers.
- Evacuation of premises as a result of escape or ignition of gas.
The Secretary may request additional information on any incident, which needs to be submitted, in writing, within 21 days.
Accidents
The network operator on becoming aware of any serious injury, death or substantial property damage as a result of a gas escape and/or gas ignition on a network system, must notify the Secretary as soon as possible. Full details are to be submitted in writing within 14 days.
Gas Quality and Odorant
The network operators must notify the Secretary on becoming aware of non-compliant gas being injected into the network or odorant levels not complying with specifications.
Performance Reports
The Gas Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2013 requires all Network Operators to lodge an Annual Report on the performance of their individual network's safety management system. The report must comply with the reporting template below.
- NSW Gas Networks Reporting Guidelines 2017 (111 kb, PDF)
- Gas networks reporting template (52 kb, XLS)
Annual Reports are then reviewed to ensure every network’s safety performance is acceptable. The information is collated to prepare a state-wide report. The most recent reports can be viewed by accessing the links below.
- 2021-22 Gas Networks Performance Report (PDF, 894 KB)
- 2020-21 Gas Networks Performance Report (PDF, 2.2 MB)
- 2019-20 Gas Networks Performance Report (PDF, 584 KB)
Legislation and regulations
The Minister for Energy is responsible for the Gas Supply Act 1996 (the Act). The OECC administers the Act on behalf of the Minister.
Gas networks legislation
- A natural gas network operator must hold a 'Reticulator's Authorisation'.
- Operators of gas networks that carry gases other than natural gas, need a 'Distributor's Licence'.
- Irrespective of the type of authorisation or licence, the primary obligations for a network operator are in the Gas Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2013.
- Natural gas network operators also have obligations to the retail market under the Gas Supply (Natural Gas Retail) Regulation 2014.
Gas Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation
- The Gas Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2013 was remade under the Gas Supply Act 1996. The objective of this Regulation is to ensure that gas networks are not only safe and reliable but are designed, constructed, maintained and operated properly. The regulation also requires the quality of transported gas to be checked and meet appropriate standards.
- The Subordinate Legislation Act 1989, requires a Regulatory Impact Statement be applied to all new statutory rules. Read the Regulatory Impact Statement (193 KB PDF).
Development and consultation on the regulations
In June 2022, the OECC commenced targeted and public consultation on the draft proposed Gas Regulation and a corresponding RIS. The consultation period ended on 6 July 2022. The table summarises the response to the key issues raised in the consultation.