The Director continues to maintain regular meetings with TGN to facilitate the open exchange on topical network operational and regulatory matters. These meetings have been held quarterly and have been of considerable benefit to both TGN and GSS. Table 1: Tasmanian Network Location of Natural Gas Distribution Networks and Isolated LP Gas Networks Existing Natural Gas Distribution Facility Suburb / Town Receiving Gas Supply Gas Facility, New Extensions Commissioned 2017/18 New Facility Planning Reviews BURNIE BELL BAY DEVONPORT Central Business District Redevelop and extend network to accommodate ‘Living City’ plans HOBART Sand Bay Augment network to provide improved gas supply to University. Project involves of unused network sections Augment network to provide improved gas supply to University. Project involves of unused network sections GLENORCHY Elwick Re-route network to reduce risks associated with intersection redevelopment LAUNCESTON St Leonards 1000 kPa extension designs yet to be submitted Kings Way Extension of network to additional consumers LONGFORD ULVERSTONE South Ulverstone Distribution network construction yet to commence. Preliminary designs ongoing WESTBURY Planning underway to redevelop letdown station and network WYNYARD Existing LP Gas Isolated Gas Facility LAUNCESTON Glenara Lakes Natural Gas Rollout Natural gas network expansion and construction has been limited to an additional 6.53 kilometres. This distance does consider the decommissioning of a 1.46 km portion of 1000 kPa polyethylene network in Sandy Bay Hobart during refurbishment works to connect the University of Tasmania campus. Natural gas network/s augmentation has been predominantly associated with major developments, with smaller additions to facilitate the connection of natural gas consumers when deemed commercially viable by TGN. The Director is not aware of any intended major network extensions. commissioning
Formal Safety Instrument Administrative Program Purpose Gas Entity – Pipeline Integrity management plan Initial document and implementation review Pipeline system design, construction, operation and maintenance activities, in conjunction with the application of sound engineering principles with due regard to safety Gas Entity Pipeline maximum operating pressure review 5 year review Technical compliance and public safety Steel pipeline integrity plan review Direct current and ground variance for direct assessment Detect and monitor deterioration of pipeline protective coating condition Inline inspection of pipelines Detect and monitor internal condition of pipe and its capability to operate at MAOP Pipeline quality gas review Detect out of specification product, frequency and effects analysis Finalisation of electrical installations in hazardous areas audit Maintain safe electrical installations at meter stations to ensure acceptable network reliability and public safety Gas Entity - Full Safety Assessments of gas networks Review of infrastructure hazards and currency of protective systems Maintenance of public safety and pipeline management from encroachment Gas Entity - Safety management systems Review currency with operations and construction Maintain acceptable network reliability and public safety Gas Entity - Network design certifiers acceptance Approval of Independent Design Certification Technical compliance of new networks designs Gas Entity Operations Auditing Audit implementation of acceptance safety and operating plans Maintenance of public safety through acceptable pipeline operations Annual Distribution Gas Entity (TGN) Performance Report
Undertake commercial sensitivity assessment of gas infrastructure information records Deliver timely Freedom of Information requests Preserve information confidentiality Gas safety management plan (GSMP) acceptances Ensure adequate GSMP for large or high risk installations Safety and reliability of installations Gasfitter administration Gasfitter installations notification database Gasfitter certification data Verify gasfitter certifications of gas installations Gas installations Acceptance program Deliver 3 regional installation technical compliance programs Consumer safety Gas appliance design and installation acceptance (Type B) Deliver 3 regional Type B appliance technical compliance programs Consumer safety Gasfitter education and management of CPD opportunities Deliver targeted training and accept external CPD training Legislative requirement Occupational Licensing Act 200, Consumer Safety Gasfitter Licence applications Verify and endorse gasfitter licence applications Legislative requirement Occupational Licensing Act 200, Consumer Safety Gas Distribution Gas Entity network approval program Review proposed network submissions Ensure construction standards compliance Gas Entity network integrity monitoring Review of safety and operating plans Ensure acceptable levels of public risk and supply integrity Installation disconnections and reconnection procedures. Deliver timely disconnection orders Control unsafe or non-compliant gas installations Gas Storage and Conditioning Gas Storage Systems Design acceptance and supplier / stakeholder management project Target supplier compliance in existing and new gas storage products Gas Storage Systems safety management and emergency response planning Approval of GSMP Consumer and public safety enhancement
The Director’s office was able to successfully deliver prescribed reactive outputs in line with industry expectations, including: Administration; gas installations [complex] acceptance; gas installations [prescribed] acceptance; gas appliance and installation research and standards development; gas distribution approvals programs; gas appliance and components certification and approvals; gas storage systems, reliability and supply; incident and accident investigations; and facilitation of compliance of new industry participants. Targeted recruitment to sustain Gas Standards and Safety outputs resulted in the filling of two incumbent positions. Filling these positions provided much needed support to meet the diverse expectations and safety outcomes of industry and the general public. It also allowed increased proactive inspections of standard gas installations, which with further staffing in the latter half of 2017, is expected to substantially reduce the regulatory and public risk posed by historical constraints. Table 8: Summary of Achievements Activity Function Safety Outcome Gas Distribution and Storage Issued audit policy to gas supply industry outlining audit principles and the underlying strategy adopted to ensure gas infrastructure is managed satisfactorily. Harmonise industry actions in line with coexistent risk reduction measures Reduce levels of public risk and enhance reliability Review network technical design including approval of independent design certification Ensure ongoing contemporary, safe and compliant system design Maintain infrastructure safety and control public risk Contribute to the development of appropriate safety standards Contributing members of Australian standards committees for gas networks, and gas storage Protection of public through contemporary compliance standards Increased involvement in Tasmanian gas supply emergency management including development of network gas quality excursion protocols Tasmanian Jurisdictional Contact Officers under national (NGERAC) planning frameworks. Stakeholder engagement and development of stakeholder obligations Enhance Tasmanian natural gas supply emergency planning
Investigated uncontrolled gas release incidents on gas infrastructure including successful prosecution for excavating in the vicinity of gas infrastructure without permission Identify causation of incidents, review operational standards and instigate regulatory actions Prevent recurrence of uncontrolled gas incidents, and ensure acceptable levels of public risk Maintained Gas Suppliers Gas Safety Management Planning for LNG and CNG Gas storage Ensure timely response to any loss of containment incident, supply emergency and maintenance management Manage inherent public risks from uncontrolled gas emergencies. Assist emergency response organisations Reviewed network reliability, integrity, operational management, public safety and condition survey Ensure compliance, adequacy, currency, accuracy and reliability of operational records Maintain supply safety and control public risk Reviewed development of gas entity operations safety and operating plans Ensure compliance and adequate management of gas infrastructure through documented policies and procedures Maintain supply safety and control public risk Compliance audit program for LNG gas pipeline facilities Ensure compliance of emergency response and planning Maintain infrastructure safety and control public risk Gasfitter Licensing and Gas Worker Accreditation Amend and redevelop gas fitting eligibility Determinations in line with contemporary training standards Ensure gas fitter competency Ensure gas installation compliance and standards providing adequate level of consumer safety Ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to identify required training and skills development for CPD Ensure that comprehensive standards for training Ensure that competent persons undertake all forms of gas fitting work Developed and delivered targeted training to wider gas fitting industry Maintain gas fitter competency around topical technical issues Ensure gas installation compliance and standards providing adequate level of consumer safety Investigated gas installation work standards and resultant safety issues Issue gasfitter defects, infringement, consumer disconnect and rectification notices Ensure gas installation safety standards for consumers Provided advice and conducted investigations Ensure compliant gas fitting and licensing standards Ensure safe gas fitting and licensing standards
Gas Technical Standards and Working Groups Engaged gas supply industry stakeholders following out of specification gas incident Develop industry procedures and communication protocols in the event of reoccurrence Ensure safe and reliable supply of natural gas to vulnerable consumers Participated in development of industrial appliance safety standards Ensure evolving type A and B appliance design achieve acceptable levels of risk control Set contemporary appliance design specifications Stakeholder Relations Facilitated stakeholder meetings for the management of buried infrastructure Development of safe work procedures for work adjacent to buried infrastructure Ensure worker safety, recording and quality of location information Continued to facilitate gas entity meetings for the management of safe gas infrastructure Maintain adequacy of management communications Ensure safety and reliability of Tasmanian NG supplies Contributed to national Gas Technical Regulator Committee programs Harmonise gas product and legislative outcomes to national and COAG standards. Maximise safety and economic outcomes to gas consumers Committed to GTRC audit program for external authorities. Provide verification of external authority outcomes Ensure consumer safety and quality of approved gas appliance on the Tasmania market Communications and Education Management Provided industry specific training presentations Provide targeted guidance in respect to ground works adjacent to buried gas infrastructure, and appliance safety performance in respect to Carbon Manage public risk by ensuring relevant industry stakeholders are aware of their obligations and safety expectations Administered a gas specific internet site and gas safety publications Facilitate stakeholder and consumer access to gas technical standards and safety information Provide timely delivery of industry communications products Contributed articles to Connections magazine Improve stakeholder and end user education on gas safety Enhance gas education policy and expand audience Issued Guidance Notes following investigations Provide stakeholder advice Enhance safety of civil and gas workers Type B appliance industry forum Educate type B gas fitters on risk control strategies and provide opportunity for open forum Safe and compliant type B appliances and planning to meet industry needs
Technical Standards Development Development of safety and technical standards for the Tasmanian gas industry is ongoing to meet emerging trends and technology advancements. Consultation between industry stakeholders, end users, interstate regulators and gas industry organisations is ongoing to ensure currency, relevance and completeness of Tasmanian gas standards. Adoption of international standards is growing as unique appliances and appliance applications enter the local market. The Director’s office routinely provides technical comment and feedback to Australian Standards committees in respect to proposed amendments and drafts (refer Table 9). The Director is also represented by GSS on Australian Standards committees AS 3814 Industrial gas appliances (AG-001-00-05), AS 1596 The storage and handling of LP Gas (ME-15) and AS/NZS 4645 Gas distribution networks (AG-008). Considerable resources have been allocated to a number of these committee roles, providing input into evolving industry standards as they are amended to manage ongoing appliance, gas storage and gas infrastructure technological and knowledge advances – including in particular NG gas odorant management, reinforcement of pipeline squeeze offs and safe development zones adjacent to gas distribution infrastructure. Table 9: Technical Standards Development and Implementation 2016/17 Standard Title Revisions AS 1596 The storage and handling of LP Gas Ongoing input to Standards committee ME15 agenda items including development of standard appendices covering odorant management through the supply chain and guidance for authorities, drivers, LPG industry business managers and supervisors for tanker operation. AS 3814 Industrial and Commercial Gas Appliances Ongoing input to Standards committee AG-011 agenda items including development of provisions for complex turbine machinery and appliance installation risk control AS/NZS 4645 Gas distribution network management (parts 1, 2 & 3) Ongoing input to Standards committee AG-011 agenda items including allowable energy release rates, reinforcement of squeeze off points, odorant management and leakage detection. AS 5263 Gas appliances (parts 0, 1,2,3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) New suite of appliance standards aimed at providing manufacturers, designers, regulatory authorities, testing laboratories and similar organisations with uniform minimum requirements for the safety, performance and use of gas appliances. AS/NZS 5601 Gas installations (parts 1 & 2) Amended to provide clarity