Security Of
pp. 35-36 · Read in the full issue
Norfolk Island
Supply Meets
Demand
K
nown for its unique history as the home of descendants of mutineers from HMS Bounty and their Tahi
tian wives, Norfolk Island is a classic ex ample of BGP’s dedication to the needs of the isolated consumer.
About 1,200 km from Fiji and 800 km from Brisbane, Norfolk Island’s population began using LPG 30 years ago, when in dividuals shipped in their own cylinders from Australia or New Zealand.
This process was costly and time consuming, and meant that gas sup ply was at best intermittent, and thus demand was low.
BGP provided the first continuous sup ply of LPG through the construction of a 100-tonne bulk storage facility in 1980 at Ball Bay. The bulk storage facility is lo cated at a safe anchorage on the eastern side of the island. There is no harbour at Norfolk Island.
The construction of the storage facil ity meant huge savings in time and money for Norfolk Island business and private consumers. Previously, demand was al most exclusively in the domestic sector, where gas was used widely for cooking.
However, the start of bulk deliveries on the historic island by road tanker in 1987 allowed Norfolk Island Gas to com pete with other energy sources in the larger commercial sector. This encouraged com petition, resulting in competitive advan tages for consumers.
Security of supply has also seen LPG become a significant source of energy for cooking and heating in the island’s res taurants and accommodation industry.
Barges and tugs are still the method of transport from the tanker to the mainland. Barging is cleaner and safer than the alternatives.
Owned and operated for the last six years by husband and wife team Chris and Karenne Gatehouse, Norfolk Island Gas employs nationals and engages many lo cal contractors in the course of its activi ties. Karenne herself is directly descended from a ‘Bounty’ mutineer.
Gas is now an energy source on which the population of Norfolk Island has come to depend. The islanders and tourists who flock to Norfolk Island each year have, thanks to BGP, a secure supply of clean, cost efficient energy.
Boral gas is widely used in resort hotels and restaurants throughout the Pacific because it provides both instant and controlled heat.