Longford, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LongfordVictoria |
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 Longford
Location in Shire of Wellington
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| Population | 1,489 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 3851 |
| Elevation | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Wellington |
| County | Buln Buln |
| State electorate(s) | Gippsland South |
| Federal Division(s) | Gippsland |
Longford is a small town in the Gippsland area of Victoria, Australia. In 2021, about 1,489 people lived in Longford and the nearby areas.
The town got its name "Longford" because of a long crossing (or "ford") over rivers. This crossing was needed to reach the nearby town of Sale.
Longford is located where the South Gippsland Highway meets the Longford-Rosedale Road. It sits right next to the Latrobe River. A new bridge was built over the Latrobe River in 2006. This new bridge helps prevent flooding, which used to cut off the road to Sale, Victoria.
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Longford's Energy Hub
Longford is home to an important plant that processes oil and natural gas. These energy sources were found deep under the sea in Bass Strait in 1965.
Nearby Sale grew quickly when it became a base for the oil and gas industry. Unprocessed oil and gas travel through long pipes under the sea to reach Longford.
How Oil and Gas are Processed
At the Longford plant, raw oil and gas are turned into useful products. These products include LPG, which is used for cooking and heating. They also make natural gas for homes and businesses.
The gas is sent through pipes to Melbourne and other parts of Victoria. It also goes to New South Wales and even Tasmania. The oil is sent to other places in Australia for further processing.
A Past Incident
In September 1998, a serious incident happened at the Longford plant. A large fire caused almost all of Victoria's natural gas supply to shut down for several weeks. Sadly, two people lost their lives during this event.
A special investigation, called a royal commission, looked into what happened. It found that the company did not follow all health and safety rules.
Water Quality and the Environment
In 2017, some chemicals called PFAS were found in the groundwater near the plant. These chemicals are known to be linked to health concerns in people and animals. This discovery had an impact on local farms and livestock.
