Move away and call Triple Zero from a safe location if you smell gas in a Queensland public place.
Don't use a phone, operate switches, start a vehicle, smoke or create a flame near the smell. Treat the source as unknown and leave without investigating it.
What to do before making the call
- Leave the immediate area: use a safe route and don't enter a pit, drain, basement, lift or other enclosed space.
- Avoid ignition sources: don't operate electrical equipment, vehicles, switches or flames near the suspected gas.
- Warn others from safety: keep people back without re-entering the affected area or blocking an escape route.
- Call 000 after moving away: ask for fire and follow the operator's instructions.
- Give the location: state the street, suburb, nearest cross street or landmark and whether anyone is affected.
The Queensland Fire Department lists smelling gas as a reason to call 000. Don't wait for visible flames or determine who owns the pipe first.
What details should I report?
Describe what you noticed without returning to check. Useful details include hissing, visible vapour, damaged infrastructure, recent excavation, fire or a person feeling unwell.
Tell the operator whether the smell is indoors, outdoors or near a meter, cylinder, pit, drain or worksite. Mention anyone who is dizzy, nauseated, short of breath or unable to leave.
An emergency number may be displayed on a pipeline marker, compound or worksite sign. Use it only when the number can be read without approaching the suspected leak.
Why the gas distributor depends on the location
Queensland doesn't have one gas-network emergency number for every public location. The responsible distributor or asset operator depends on the infrastructure and service area.
Emergency services can coordinate the immediate response. The applicable network or site operator can then identify and make safe its own asset.
Don't delay a 000 call while searching for a distributor. A retailer shown on a household bill may not operate the network where the public smell occurs.
Don't inspect or isolate public gas equipment
Natural gas tends to rise, while LPG can collect in low areas. When the gas type is unknown, stay away from drains, pits and confined spaces rather than trying to identify it.
Don't touch a public meter, cylinder, valve or damaged pipe. Leak detection, isolation, excavation and repair belong to emergency responders, the asset operator and licensed gas workers.
A plumber or gasfitter isn't the first public-infrastructure contact. Their role begins only if responders establish that the fault is within a private installation and the immediate danger is controlled.
What happens if the leak is on private property?
Stay outside and follow the directions given by emergency services or the asset operator. Don't re-enter to shut a valve or inspect an appliance unless the responsible authority says the area is safe.
For the related gas fitter plumber issue, see Does living near a gas line make a property dangerous?
For appliance or private-installation warning signs, read how to respond safely to a suspected gas fault. Don't use that information to investigate a public smell yourself.
If emergency responders rule out fuel gas, contact the responsible asset operator or a licensed gasfitter as directed. A separate sewer-odour assessment may then be appropriate.