Natural gas is widely regarded as a clean, safe, economic, environmentally friendly and abundantly available form of energy. It is becoming the preferred choice for Australians in meeting their household and business energy needs. As well, there are renewable sources such as hydro-electricity, solar and wind power. Natural gas is expected to be Australia's fastest growing energy source. Over the last 25 years natural gas has become Australia's third largest source of energy after oil and coal.
Natural gas is supplied into a very competitive energy market.
Gas is a fuel of choice - for example, household customers make a conscious decision to use gas in favour of competitors such as electricity. The increasing use of natural gas is bringing important and far-reaching benefits for Australia's environment and economy. Natural gas began continuous supply in Australia in 1969, when Victoria began to connect homes to the Gippsland Basin in the Bass Strait and Queensland connected to the Surat Basin, and currently supplies 18.1 percent of Australia's primary energy needs. Protecting the environment is important to all Australians. Environmental management is an integral part of the gas industry's philosophy and operations.