THERE are fears tens of thousands of people in Albury and Jindera will have their gas supply cut off if a major pipeline running through the Wodonga quarry ruptures.
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Flooding continues to be a serious concern at the site off Edwards Road, with the gas line on an easement which could collapse.
Sections of soil have already experienced landslides and SES incident controller Graham Healy said crews were trying to protect supply.
“It’s important to try to protect that easement,” he said.
“If that pipeline is broken or compromised, it shuts off the gas pipeline to Albury and Jindera.
“We figure it’s better tying to do something rather than nothing.
“We need to mitigate the risk to that pipeline otherwise it will cause Albury a lot of pain.”
Mr Healy said water needed to be transferred between sections of the quarry, which was “very difficult”.
“There’s no danger to the public other than the major inconvenience the loss of gas supply to Albury and Jindera would cause,” he said.
“Whether it ruptures or doesn’t rupture, it’s a long way away from public areas.
“NSW and Victoria are working together to try to mitigate that risk.”
Residents continue to be on high alert in the area.
Flames destroyed a home on Sheathers Road early Saturday morning after it had been evacuated.
Detective Senior Constable Tristan Purss said the fire may have been burning for some time before being spotted due to the location.
“A resident had evacuated due to the rising waters and left the house unattended Friday night into Saturday morning,” he said.
“The fire started at some stage during the evening.
“It was eventually discovered by roving security who were making sure people weren’t driving through floodwater.”
The blaze gutted the home and may have been sparked by water causing an electrical problem, or recent electrical work at the house.
Dale Grealy, whose parents run a nearby farm, is concerned water will cause further damage in the area.
He has helped ensure cattle at the site are being looked after.
Mr Healy meanwhile said the risk to residents near Parfitt Road in Wangaratta appeared to be subsiding.
“We're confident the river is still dropping which is an advantage,” he said.
“There has been some more sandbagging to protect that area.
"We're confident unless there is another rise that it will hold that area.”
A community meeting will be held at Wangaratta council from 6pm on Tuesday to update residents on the situation.
