Sydney’s Green Square and Zetland developments. Photo: Lucinda Varney Airview Group/City of Sydney
Sydney City is asking for feedback on a proposal to phase out gas in all new developments in favour of electrification.
A discussion paper is now open for public comment on the proposal (see link at bottom of this story).
Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore AO says continuing with electrification plans is vital to meeting the city’s carbon reduction target by 2035.
“We remain in a climate crisis, which means we need to pull every lever we have in order to keep reducing our emissions,” she says.
“To rely on gas means a continued cost for our hip pocket, a continued cost for our health and a continued cost for our planet. It is a price that we simply cannot afford to pay.”
Moore says there are several options that council can take to help make the move away from gas.
“It is vital we fully understand the impacts for our residents and industry,” she says.
“We want to know if people agree with the benefits of electrification, whether certain industries should be exempt, the approach preferred and any potential challenges to overcome we haven’t flagged in our report.”
BENEFITS
The City of Sydney council says that given gas prices are projected to keep rising due to shortages and network charges, each new electrified household would save around $626 a year in energy bills.
It says electric systems are more efficient, use less energy and, with just one connection and a daily rate, can save on other gas service charges.
Replacing gas cooktops with electric induction appliances would have significant health benefits, council says.
It says exposure to pollutants from gas cooktops was found to have a similar health impact as passive smoking.
OPTIONS
Council listed the options that can be taken to phase out gas in new developments.
These are:
- Requiring appliances to be electric-only in new residential projects:
- Electrifying hot water systems in new residential buildings:
- Electrifying only appliances and systems in new commercial, industrial and business buildings:
- Cover the major refurbishments of existing buildings.
The paper is open for comment until Monday, May 5. After that, a report will be compiled and go before council.
Click here sydneyoursay.com.au for more details or to have your say.
