National Gas Emergency Response Advisory Committee (NGERAC)
About the committee
The National Gas Emergency Response Advisory Committee (NGERAC) is a committee responsible for providing advice on efficient and effective responses to major natural gas supply shortages. Its membership comprises representatives of governments and all sectors of the gas industry and gas users.
NGERAC provides its advice to the Standing Council on Energy and Resources (SCER) and jurisdictions to maintain the integrity of the gas supply system in the event of gas supply shortages that affect two or more jurisdictions.
NGERAC was established in May 2005 as part of a Memorandum of Understanding on the National Gas Emergency Response Protocol for natural gas supply shortages affecting jurisdictions with interconnected gas supply networks.
The protocol is designed to ensure that natural gas supply interruptions are managed in a nationally consistent manner.
Since its establishment, NGERAC has developed a number of initiatives to assist it in undertaking its functions, including:
- expert analytical capacity to support the development of specific emergency response options
- a communications protocol which sets out more detailed instructions for government officials and industry members in the event of an incident
- a procedures manual that defines roles and responsibilities of NGERAC jurisdictional and industry members to ensure that all NGERAC members can participate in assisting with the management of a multi-jurisdictional gas supply incident.
How is RET involved?
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) is currently the Chair of NGERAC. RET is also actively involved in the development and implementation of the SCER gas market reform agenda, which seeks to facilitate the development of a reliable, competitive and secure natural gas market in Australia.
NGERAC has played an important role in the SCER agenda as it seeks to ensure the security of Australian gas supplies.
More information
For more information about National Gas Emergency Response Advisory Committee email AustralianEnergySecurity@ret.gov.au.