- Published:
- Monday, 11 August 2025 at 12:37 pm
A company has been convicted and fined $15,000 after employees caused a gas leak by recklessly puncturing and then unlawfully attempting to repair a gas pipeline while doing unrelated electrical work in Burwood East in June 2024.
On Thursday 7 August 2025, Caliber Civil Pty Ltd (in liq) was found guilty of two charges under the Gas Safety Act 1997 for breaking a gas pipeline and conducting unauthorised gas work in an effort to fix and conceal the damage.
Caliber Civil, which is now in liquidation, was not present when Magistrate Radford handed down a guilty verdict at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court last week.
Energy Safe Victoria investigated the incident after receiving a report from the local gas provider that conducted an initial review of the site.
At the time of offending, two workers from Caliber Civil were installing underground electrical cables to connect power poles to electrical service pits as part of subcontracted works for the local electricity network operator.
One month later, a member of the public raised the alarm about a potential gas leak in the area, prompting an inspection by gas maintenance workers. Their inspection revealed a punctured gas pipeline that had been fitted with an unapproved water repair clamp in an unsuccessful attempt to seal the rupture.
The Energy Safe investigation also found that the electrical workers responsible for the damage failed to report it to their management or alert the relevant authorities.
“A puncture in a gas pipeline is extremely serious and carries safety risks like fire and explosion,” Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said.
“Gas service work is highly specialised and should only be done by qualified people with the proper authority and equipment to ensure the health and safety of workers and the community.”
More information about what to do in a gas emergency is available on the Energy Safe website.
April Dudgeon: 0498 188 117 or media@energysafe.vic.gov.au
Energy Safe. Always.
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