<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/dirty-and-expensive-city-of-sydney-bans-gas-as-it-votes-to-electrify-all-new-big-buildings/>
"The City of Sydney has followed the example of the ACT and Victoria
governments and this week voted unanimously to require all newly built
residential buildings, medium to large commercial buildings, hotels, and
serviced apartment buildings, to be all-electric.
The new rules will apply to newly built offices of more than 1,000 square
metres, and hotels and serviced apartments with more than 100 rooms. They will
require such buildings to be all-electric and with no fossil gas connections.
According to City of Sydney council, the “majority” of 84 submissions from
industry bodies, advocacy groups and individuals have welcomed the changes, and
included support from the Property Council, Ausgrid, Energy Consumers
Australia, and the Global Cooksafe Coalition.
There will be some exceptions, such as for newly built cafes and restaurants
who will still be allowed a gas connection, but even this will only be allowed
as long as these builds also include pipes and space for future
electrification.
The new rules will also not apply to industrial uses, existing buildings, or
renovations.
“Relying on gas is bad for the planet, bad for our finances and bad for our
health,” said Clover Moore, Sydney Lord Mayor.
“Creating more energy efficient, healthier buildings which will meet future
energy standards and avoid expensive retrofitting, is an obvious next step.”
The newly approved rules, which will come into effect from January 1, 2027,
build on indoor air quality provisions adopted earlier this year which
restricted indoor gas appliances such as cooktops and heaters in new
residential buildings from the beginning of 2026.
These residential rules will also expand to cover outdoor gas appliances such
as hot water heaters from 1 January 2027.
“Industry bodies from Ausgrid to the Property Council have endorsed the move,
reflecting a broad community consensus on the need to end our reliance on gas,”
said Moore.
“The reality is gas is an expensive commodity that is forecast to go up in
price. These measures will spare households from being locked into increasingly
expensive and outdated gas contracts.”
The news was also welcomed by climate and health organisers, who praised the
council for taking action to protect he environment and peoples’ health."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
