City of Sydney votes to ban all new homes from having a gas connection

Clover Moore City Council of Sydney has voted to ban gas for all new homes and businesses.

The motion was passed by the council on Monday evening, with eight of the 10 council members supporting the ban.

The move will introduce clauses for developing rules requiring new homes and businesses to install electrical appliances, including stoves, hobs, heaters and hot water units.

The City of Sydney became the latest council to vote to ban new gas connections, despite NSW Premier Chris Minns issuing a statewide gas ban last month.

Greens deputy mayor and alderman Sylvie Ellsmore pushed for the ban, with city papers claiming that the ban on gas is “based on the health, economic and environmental benefits that all-electric buildings bring to future residents.”

Waverly and Parramatta councils have approved the ban, while Randwick City Council will vote Tuesday night on a motion to implement the ban statewide.

Sydney’s largest business lobby is calling on the state government to block local councils from imposing the ban to avoid ‘different rules across the state’.

Sydney City Council also wants to force homes and businesses to get rid of their pre-existing gas in favor of electrical connections.

Council documents urge staff to ‘consider any other possible amendments’ that would facilitate or accelerate the transition of existing residential and non-residential buildings in the city of Sydney to become completely electric and gas-free’.

Under the 1979 EPA law, municipalities have the power to enforce their own ban by imposing conditions on development applications, despite the Minns government claiming it will not implement a statewide gas ban.

Liberal councilor at Randwick Council Christie Hamilton told 2GB host Ben Fordham on Tuesday that the plan to ban gas is “nonsense.”

“I think it’s rubbish, it’s so unrelated to the cost of living pressure that everyone is feeling right now,” Hamilton said.

‘This motion says that electricity is cheaper to use, which means that energy bills are lower. That’s just not true.

“We have no alternative to cut off gas for an equivalently priced alternative. If we did, we could do it, but we don’t.’

Sydney City Council also wants to force homes and businesses to move away from their pre-existing gas in favor of electrical hookups (pictured, Sydney Mayor Clover Moore)

Ms Hamilton, who has been on Randwick Council since 2017, said the gas issue has ‘bubbled’ in the background but will come up at the council meeting.

Randwick councilors will not vote to ban gas on new developments or introduce the planning control measures in Randwick council.

Instead, councilors will vote to forward a motion to the annual NSW local government conference to call on the state government to ban gas statewide.

Ms Hamilton said she will argue against the motion as it affects all Australians.

“I will oppose this (motion), I find it very dismissive of Randwick residents, taxpayers and tenants, it affects everyone,” Ms Hamilton said.

She urged Prime Minister Chris Minns to consider NSW residents struggling with the cost of living.

“Chris Minns needs to think about what to do for the people of NSW and I believe that given how expensive life is now, how the bills are already through the roof, this is not something we should be doing now,” said Ms. Hamilton. .

“We have no alternative to stepping on the gas for an equivalently priced alternative. If we did, we could do it, but we don’t.’

Celebrity chef Luke Mangan told Ben Fordham that the kitchen for his new restaurant, which is located in Potts Point, was delivered Tuesday, is all gas and is valued at about $400,000.

Mr Mangan said gas cooking was faster, easier and more efficient in a commercial space and added that the push would be a huge hit for small businesses.

“Seriously, when we think about all these small businesses across the state and across the country with cafes and wine bars and restaurants, what if they put in these gas hobs six to 12 months ago,” Mr Mangan said.

“Small businesses are already under the pump with rising interest rates, people aren’t spending… now electricity, gas, your wages, everything is up and production is up.

“These companies can’t keep raising prices to stay in business because people just don’t want to spend more during this period.”

He also wondered how the ban would affect existing homes and their barbecues.

“What about the barbie in the back which is connected to gas, do we need to take that out and do we need an electric barbie?” Mr Mangan said.

“The little Aussie hardworking fighters at home can’t pull out a gas stove and put in an electric stove because the goddamn government says so.”

The celebrity chef also offered to take Prime Minister Chris Minns on a tour of small businesses to show him the impact the ban will have on struggling restaurants.