If you smell gas in a Sydney street or public place, move well away before calling. Call 000 from a safe location if anyone or property is in immediate danger. Otherwise, report the suspected leak to the gas distributor responsible for that location, using its official 24-hour emergency number. The same basic precautions used to respond safely to a suspected gas leak apply until emergency responders say the area is safe.
What to do immediately
- Move away from the smell and keep other people clear. If safe, move upwind without entering traffic or approaching the suspected source.
- Do not smoke, light a flame, operate electrical switches, start a vehicle or use a phone near the affected area. Make calls only once you are well away.
- Do not enter pits, drains, confined spaces or structures to investigate. Gas may accumulate in poorly ventilated areas.
- Do not touch public pipes, meters or valves or attempt to locate, isolate or repair the leak.
- From a safe location, report the street address, nearest cross street or landmark, when you noticed the smell and any visible danger. Do not return to collect more details.
Follow instructions from 000, emergency responders or the gas distributor.
When to call 000
Call 000 if there is a fire, injury, strong or widespread gas odour, an apparent major escape, danger to pedestrians or traffic, or an immediate threat to buildings. If you are unsure but believe life or property may be at risk, call 000 and describe what you observed.
How to find the gas distributor
For a suspected public leak without an immediate threat, use the Australian Energy Regulator’s official Who is your distributor? lookup for the exact location. Then call the 24-hour emergency number published on that distributor’s official website.
The gas distributor operates the local network. An energy retailer manages customer accounts, and a plumber works on property-side installations; neither is the first contact for a suspected leak in a street or public network area. Responsibility for a gas leak at the meter or on private property follows a different boundary.
If you cannot identify the distributor promptly and the situation may be dangerous, call 000 from a safe location.
If responders confirm the fault is within private property rather than the public network, follow their instructions and contact our licensed gas leak team only after the area has been made safe.