Prime Laundry and Linen Service in Perth, which operates the Bunbury Steam Laundry, has been hit hard by the crisis and has been issuing frequent updates to its clients on the matter.

All Seasons Margaret River has put an energy-saving program in place and has shortened restaurant hours, but is facing the fact it may have to close if the situation worsens.

“I think there’s a possibility because the Government is doing nothing,” general manager Gerard Olthof said.

“We’re talking about hot water, gas for cooking.”

He said their supplier had been very helpful with updates of the situation.

Margaret River Resort general manager Trevor Lukey concurred with Mr Olthof, saying they had only had to do their own ironing and washing sheets once last week, but were trying to keep gas usage to a minimum.

“We’re getting by, it’s day to day,” he said.

“You can’t plan a week from now.”

He said they were receiving about two emails daily from their supplier.

Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association chief executive officer Francine Burton said that according to feedback from local accommodation providers, most were managing well, with some using other suppliers.

Tourism Minister Sheila McHale addressed the Legislative Assembly on June 10 regarding the gas issue, saying it was the low season for South West hotels, while some are using other laundries and are therefore not being affected by the laundry issue.

“The hotels are obviously being very co-operative and very resourceful,” she said.

“Some of the ways they are managing the potential disruption to linen supplies include using other linen and laundry providers, modifying some of their systems and procedures and using in-house laundry facilities.

“It is pleasing to say that some hotels are not actually affected by the laundry problem but are still modifying their behaviour.”

Australian Hotels Association (WA) chief executive officer Bradley Woods said a guaranteed gas supply for hotels was imperative if the sector was to continue providing hot water and laundry services to customers.

“Western Australia’s accommodation sector is running at an occupancy rate that is above the global average and is determined to maintain the highest possible levels of service for customers with the minimal levels of inconvenience and disruption to essential gas-powered services,” Mr Woods said.

“The accommodation sector has implemented strategies that will maintain those levels of service and ensure occupancy rates don’t have to decrease.”

Meanwhile, Margaret River Wine Association chairperson Peter Wood says there is concern about the recent gas shortage on wine bottling for this year’s winemakers.

“There haven’t been any reports to MRWIA of people being inconvenienced, but no doubt it’s going to become an issue in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

“We’re monitoring at this stage.

“(Bottling) is essential to finish the winemaking process.”

Portavin Integrated Wine Services, one of the State’s largest wine bottling contractors, said they were “nervous” but at this stage managing to deal with shortages.

General manager Gerlinde Watson said they were more concerned about a shortage of carbon dioxide than gas.

As a result of the explosion at the Apache Plant, BOC Gases Australia ceased production of CO2.

“So far we’re getting normal deliveries (of gas),” Ms Watson said.

Their forklifts run on LPG but can also be operated with petrol.

Heating water for sterilisation does not require much gas, but the shortage of CO2 means they are looking at using nitrogen and argon instead.

“We can operate at a slightly higher cost,” Ms Watson said.

Leeuwin Estate has also rationed CO2.