List of defunct utility companies in Victoria, Australia

The Australian state of Victoria has a number of defunct energy supply and distribution utility companies.

The North Melbourne Electric Tramways and Lighting Company

The North Melbourne Electric Tramways and Lighting Company[1] operated an electric tramway system beginning in 1906, with the network being based upon the suburb of Essendon.[2] The company also supplied electric power to the neighbouring suburbs from its power station on Mount Alexander Road, near the intersection with South Street.[3] The power generation side of the company was acquired by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1922,[4] with the tram side acquired by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board on 21 December 1922.

Melbourne Electric Supply Company

Sign over the entrance to the Geelong Tram Depot

The Melbourne Electric Supply Company was registered in 1899 as the Electric Lighting and Traction Company of Australia led by F. W. Clements and assisted by Herbert Reah Harper.[5] It was registered in England, and the company initially operated in Adelaide and Port Adelaide, South Australia. The company was renamed to the Melbourne Electric Supply Company in 1908.[6] The company operated the Richmond and Geelong power stations, as well as the electric tramway system in Geelong.[7] The company was acquired by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1930.[4]

Electric Supply Company of Victoria

The Electric Supply Company of Victoria was a British company with its headquarters in the English city of Liverpool. It was formed in 1903 as a subsidiary of the British Insulated Wire Company. The company operated power stations and electric tramways in the regional cities of Bendigo and Ballarat.[8] The Electric Supply Company of Victoria was acquired by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1934.[4]

Metropolitan Gas Company

The Metropolitan Gas Company was set up for the supply of town gas to the city of Melbourne. it was absorbed into the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria in 1951.[9]

Ballarat Gas Company

The Ballarat Gas Company was set up to supply town gas to the city of Ballarat in 1857.[10] The company was wound up upon the introduction of natural gas to Ballarat.

Geelong Gas Company

The Geelong Gas Company was set up to supply town gas to the city of Geelong in 1858. It was purchased by the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria in 1971 when natural gas was introduced to the city.

State Electricity Commission of Victoria

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria was a state owned utility established in 1919 to manage the generation and distribution of electricity in Victoria, as well as to maintain and operate the three provincial electric tramways acquired from the Electric Supply Company of Victoria Ltd. (Ballarat and Bendigo) and the Melbourne Electric Supply Company Ltd (Geelong). The commission was split into three parts in 1993: generation, transmission, and retail. In 1994 these parts were again split and later privatised.

Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria

The Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria was established in 1951, absorbing the Melbourne Metropolitan Gas Company. It later acquired all private gas companies in Victoria. The corporation was disaggregated and sold in the late 1990s.

References

  1. ↑ "The North Melbourne Electric Tramways and Lighting Company Limited.". The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918). Moonee Ponds, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 6 August 1914. p. 5 Edition: Morning. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  2. ↑ Railpage.org.au Melbourne's Tram History
  3. ↑ A brief history of The North Melbourne Electric Tramway & Lighting Company
  4. 1 2 3 Public Records Office: Agency VA 1002: State Electricity Commission of Victoria
  5. ↑ Guide to Australian Business Records: Electric Lighting and Traction Company of Australia (1899 - 1921)
  6. ↑ Guide to Australian Business Records: Melbourne Electric Supply Company Ltd
  7. ↑ Geelong tramways — a short history
  8. ↑ Ballarat - Some Background
  9. ↑ Australian Science at Work: Metropolitan Gas Company
  10. ↑ The Ballarat Gas Company's Act 1857
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