Victoria’s Bass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the State Government’s decision to remove a mandate requiring gas connections for new housing developments.
The move, announced last month, will help empower Victorian households and businesses to embrace sustainable alternatives to gas, said Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Michael Whelan.
The Mayor said the decision was a positive step in the move towards renewable energy solutions.
“More than two million Victorian households rely on gas for heating, hot water and cooking – more than any other state or territory,” Mayor Whelan said.
“In Victoria, the gas sector contributes around 17% of Victoria’s total emissions, while households remain the biggest producers of greenhouse gas in the state.”
He said the move to reduce reliance on gas would not only help improve environmental outcomes, but could also save households hundreds each year.
“Running your home on electricity will save you money and reduce your carbon emissions,” Mayor Whelan said.
“The decision to reduce gas use in the state aligns with Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and our goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
“Our diverse natural world is our most precious asset, and we need to continue to look for ways to make our homes, buildings and infrastructure more efficient, so we can become more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” he said.
