Conservationists and the healthcare workers industry are just two sectors of the community overjoyed about the news that the Victorian government will ban gas connections to new houses from January 1 next year.
The announcement this morning by the Andrews Labor Government is a landmark decision to phase out gas in new homes and boasts that new Victorian households will save up to $1,000 off their annual energy bills while reducing household emissions.
From 1 January 2024, planning permits for new homes and residential subdivisions will only connect to all-electric networks, with houses taking advantage of more efficient, cheaper, and cleaner electric appliances.
Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio that from 1 January Victoria would: Require that all new planning permits refuse gas in favour of all-electric buildings; ensure that any future State Government buildings are gas free; offer a package of grants for residential fuel switching, and; create a $10 million reskilling package to assist workers in the transition to a post gas energy economy for Victoria.
All new homes will go electric
These changes will apply to all new homes requiring a planning permit, including new public and social housing delivered by Homes Victoria.
Environment group Friends of the Earth Melbourne has welcomed the measures to reduce the state’s dependency on fossil methane gas. They say this announcement is a critical step towards the top demand reduction recommendation contained in the No More Gas campaign’s Community Gas Retirement Roadmap, that any further residential or commercial gas connections be prohibited across the state.
No More Gas campaigner Freja Leonard said this is a spectacular win not only for the climate but for the health of Victorians and for managing energy costs into the future. ‘It’s a giant leap forward towards Victoria meeting our emissions reduction targets and a radical jump in the gas death spiral for the heaviest domestic gas-using state in Australia.
We don’t need gas for cooking or heating
‘It’s a clear statement that we don’t need gas to cook, heat our water or our buildings. The Victorian Government is leading the way not only for the rest of the country, but showing our export partners that any investment in gas is tying themselves to a sinking ship.
Ms Leonard said it’s critical that this be a just transition and that nobody is left behind. ‘We need to rapidly and equitably retire the gas pipeline system to ensure that lower-income households still stuck with polluting gas can switch off gas and embrace clean, affordable renewable electricity. This must be supported by thermal upgrades to ensure that homes are efficient and comfortable, and to reduce our energy demand to the bare minimum..
Friends of the Earth Melbourne recently launched the Get Off Gas pledge, inviting householders, including renters, owners, and public and social housing residents who want to get off gas and need support to make the switch to take the pledge and ask their local MP and the Victorian Energy Minister to give them the help they need. ‘One third of Victoria’s residents are renters, often living in the least efficient, most energy-intensive homes. We hope that they are the next in line for State Government attention in switching off gas and enjoying the clean energy revolution,’ said Ms Leonard.
Health workers: a ‘win for health’
Healthy Futures an organisation of Australian healthcare workers advocating to reduce harmful pollution and limit climate change, welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement.
The organisation says it is a major step forward in the fight against toxic air pollution and climate change as gas is a major contributor to both of these problems
Healthy Futures Co-ordinator and GP, Dr Harry Jennens, said this is a great day for Victorians. ‘The Victorian Government is taking a strong stance on climate change and air pollution, and this announcement is a major step in the right direction.
Gas is a harmful fossil fuel
‘Gas is a harmful fossil fuel that pollutes our air, causes disease, and drives dangerous climate change. In contrast, electrical appliances are cleaner, healthier, and cheaper to run than gas ones, so today’s announcement is a win-win-win for our health, our environment, and for lowering energy bills.’
Dr Harry Jennens said it is well-established that air pollution from gas appliances causes and exacerbates asthma and other illnesses. A child living in a house with a gas stove faces roughly a 32 per cent increased risk of asthma, which is similar to a child living in a house with cigarette smoke. Gas appliances can even cause death through carbon monoxide poisoning.
‘We are thrilled that the Andrews Government is taking a strong stance on this issue. This is a win for Victorians’ health.’
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) also welcomed the government’s announcement.
It’s the right move for our health
Victorian Co-Deputy Chair of the RACGP, Dr Aadhil Aziz, said reducing our exposure to gas from stoves is the right move for our health.
‘Gas stoves expose people to respiratory irritants which leads to a multitude of respiratory conditions, and research indicates this includes triggering asthma in children. Phasing out gas in our homes is the right choice for our health and the climate.’
ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner said Australia’s emergency clinicians know that climate change is the biggest global threat to health and health systems. ‘ACEM supports initiatives that can minimise the impact of climate change, reduce the carbon footprint of hospitals and health systems, and help protect human health.
‘ACEM welcomes today’s announcement in Victoria as a step in the right direction towards reducing the impacts of climate change and air pollution on health, and congratulates Healthy Futures for their successful advocacy on this issue.’
Going all-electric can be delivered at no extra cost
As part to today’s announcement, the government said going all-electric can be delivered at no extra cost to the buyer – and will slash around $1,000 per year off household energy bills – or up to $2,200 for households that also have solar installed.
Commencing immediately, all new public buildings that haven’t reached design stage will also be all-electric. This includes new schools, hospitals, police stations and other government-owned buildings.
Victoria has the highest use of residential gas in Australia, with around 80 per cent of homes connected. The gas sector contributes about 17 per cent of the state’s emissions, and the move to electric systems is a key element of meeting Victoria’s nation-leading emissions reduction targets of 75–80 per cent by 2035 and net zero by 2045.
Gas is only going to get more expensive
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said the government knows that with every bill that arrives, gas is only going to get more expensive. ‘That’s why we’re stepping in to help even more Victorians get the best deal on their energy bills.
‘Reducing our reliance on gas is critical to meeting our ambitious emission reduction target of net zero by 2045 and getting more Victorians on more efficient electric appliances which will save them money on their bills.’
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said that all-electric homes are healthier, cleaner and cheaper to run. ‘Going all-electric ensures Victorians building a new home are part of this exciting energy transition.’
Targeted training
To help prepare for the transition, the Government is also investing $1 million in targeted training to ensure the construction industry is supported in the transition to all-electric and 7-star homes.
This builds on Solar Victoria’s $11 million training and workforce development package that will upskill plumbers and electricians to take advantage of the renewable energy revolution.
Victorian plumbers and electricians will be the key to delivering this critical transition – that’s why the Government is upskilling the plumbing and electrical workforce to ensure they have rights skills to take advantage of this growing industry.
The Government is delivering a $3 million package including free training for 1,000 plumbers and apprentices to design and install energy-efficient heat pumps and solar hot water systems, and free training for 400 electricians and fourth-year apprentices to safely design and install rooftop solar and home battery systems.
Solar Homes program
To make it easier to go all-electric, eligible new home builders, as well as existing homeowners and renters, can access the nation-leading Solar Homes program – offering $1,400 solar panel rebates and interest-free loans of $8,800 for household batteries.
All Victorian households and businesses are also eligible for the VEU gas to electric rebates to upgrade heating and cooling and hot water heaters.
The Government will work closely with industry including gas appliance manufacturers, the building and construction sector, local government, trade unions and consumer organisations to manage business, workforce and consumer impacts and support the sector in the transition.
The Government is working to update the nation-leading Gas Substitution Roadmap, which will be released later this year.
Victoria, 1000%!
The get off Methane / Fossil Gas in the home movement is growing, with the ACT, Victoria and some Sydney Councils.
Its a no- brainer thing to do.
Humbug! I am a lifelong gas cooker and plan to stay that way. For the life of me I cannot cook on an electric hob (and I’ve tried over a few different addresses). They are ghastly things: ages to heat up, ages to cool down, heating the house for longer than necessary. At 74, I’m not prepared to learn new tricks to deal with substandard stoves.
A year ago I moved into a house with an electric hob and I still haven’t mastered the damn thing! Everything I cook on it either burns or boils over (despite my using high-end 5-ply Danish cookware – pans that have never burned on gas.
I’m so frustrated with the hob that I’ve unpacked the gas range I take everywhere with me and made myself an outdoor kitchen on the verandah.
As for the climatic effects of one versus the other: 60% of Australia’s electricity still comes from burning coal, so my few minutes of daily gas cooking for one is unlikely to make a significant difference.
PS: I don’t mind electric ovens and other electric cooking appliances, but gas hobs: no thanks!
I am curious with electricity becoming more expensive by the day, where is the saving here?
Electricity usage gives them more control and more data than gas does. Electricity will be one of the main population controlling mechanisms in the future.
Most chefs and good cooks prefer to use gas as it is easier to control than a wasteful electric element, that both heats up and cools down too slowly.
Just making fool by forcing the decision. We should be allowed for GAS just for cooktop instead complete ban..