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Support for Solstice Energy impacted customers

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What’s happening

Solstice Energy announced it will shut down its compressed natural gas network in Heathcote and Marong from August 2026.
For homes this will potentially affect heating, hot water, and cooking appliances.

What to do next?

Solstice Energy customers are required to decide whether they will:

  • Self-Manage – manage the change of their own appliances to electric or LPG, or
  • Solstice-Manage – Solstice will manage the change of appliances to LPG

To make your decision, you must select your option using the residential customer portal on the Solstice Energy website

Solstice Energy has advised that if a customer does not decide before their town’s deadline, they will be deemed to have elected a Self-Managed conversion.

Marong key dates:

  • 18th February – 15th March 2026 – customers must notify Solstice Energy if they are going to convert to electric or LPG

Heathcote key dates:

  • 2nd March – 29th March – customers must notify Solstice Energy if they are going to convert to electric or LPG

Drop-In Support 

The City of Greater Bendigo is supporting customers through this decision-making process. Whether that is to chat through where to start, where you are up to in the process, any questions you may have, and what to do next. Feel free to come along any time.

Drop-in sessions schedule subject to change.
In extreme fire risk days drop-in sessions may be rescheduled, in catastrophic fire risk days drop-in sessions will be cancelled. Please refer to the Neighbourhood House social media and website for more information.

Community Neighbourhood Houses

Discover Bendigo’s eight vibrant community houses offering inclusive programs, services, and learning opportunities for all ages. Connect, grow, and get support locally.

Read more

Where: Heathcote Community House

55 Hospital Street, Heathcote

Dates & Times:

January

February 

March 

Thursday 15 January
9:30am-11:30am		Tuesday 3 February
9:30am-11:30am		Thursday 5 March
9:30am-11:30am
Tuesday 20 January
9:30am-11:30am		Thursday 12 February
9:30am-11:30am		Thursday 19 March
9:30am-11:30am
Tuesday 27 January
9:30am-11:30am 		Thursday 19 February
9:30am-11:30am		 
 Tuesday 24 February
9:30am-11:30am 		 

Where: Marong Neighbourhood House

39 High Street, Marong

Dates & Times:

January

February

March

Tuesday 13 January
9:30am-11:30am		Monday 2 February
9:30am-11:30am		Friday 6 March
1:00pm – 3:00pm 
Thursday 15 January
2:30pm-4:30pm		Thursday 5 February
4:00pm-6:00pm		 
Monday 19 January
9:30am-11:30am		Monday 9 February
9:30am-11:30am		 
Wednesday 21 January
1:00pm-3:00pm		Friday 20 February
1:00pm – 3:00pm		 
Friday 30 January
9:30am-11:30am		Monday 23 February
9:30am-11:30am 		 

In-Home Energy Snapshots

Solstice customers can book in for a free In-Home Energy Snapshot from January to March 2026. We will come to your home to chat about the potential electrification of your appliances and other ways you can reduce the need for heating and cooling. We can help you make a plan if you are not sure where to start. 

Register here

Register here to express your interest in an In Home Energy Snapshot. One of our team will get in touch with you to make a booking.

Feasibility Study

The City of Greater Bendigo commissioned a study comparing the costs and benefits of partially or fully electrifying a home in Marong compared with switching to LPG bottles. 

Findings:

  • The yearly cost of running a 4-bedroom home on LPG is at least 2.5 times more than running a partially or fully electric home
  • Due to lower running costs of electric appliances, the upfront cost of partially electrifying a four-bedroom home can be recovered in about 3 – 4 years.
  • The cost of partially electrifying a two-bedroom home can be re-couped in around 9 years.
  • All cost estimates and findings are based on data available in November 2025 and may change over time.

Contact us

If you have any other questions or need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

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