The Australian Pipelines & Gas Association says it is disappointed with the City of Sydney Council’s decision to ban gas connections in new buildings, saying it will limit residents’ ability to access renewable energy currently being delivered in NSW.
“APGA agrees on the importance of achieving net zero as quickly as possible, but removing options to do so is not how we solve the problem,” says APGA CEO, Steve Davies.
“If the City of Sydney is truly focused on accelerating the transition by reducing emissions, it should be talking about getting more renewable gas into the system.
“Just recently, the Malabar Biomethane Project, co-funded by Jemena and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), successfully started injecting renewable biomethane into the NSW Gas distribution network. Removing access to an operational and scalable source of renewable energy that has zero cost implications for the citizens of Sydney is a step in the wrong direction,” he said.
Mr Davies said the news was even more surprising considering the announcement from NSW Premier, Chris Minns, who ruled out a ban on gas connections less than a month ago, with support from the Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and the Master Plumbing Association (MPA).
“We have to think more holistically about the transition to net zero, optimising the assets available to us and using a network of options to move towards a net zero future.”
“Removing opportunities to access renewable energy is akin to hobbling all the horses in the race and expecting a fast time on the card at the end.
“Preventing new buildings from connecting to gas now will not lower emissions, will not lower costs and will cut people off from the opportunities of a renewable future,” said Mr Davies.
The Council passed a motion overnight that vows to fully investigate a ban on gas from all new homes and businesses, with eight out of 10 councillors voting in support.
No date has yet been set by the Council for any gas ban.
Waverley Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council in the city’s southwest have also recently introduced their own rules requiring new buildings to have only electric appliances.
