Doctors for the Environment Australia has welcomed the newly unveiled regulations that pave the way for all-electric buildings in Victoria and the City of Sydney, and urges other states and councils to follow their lead on health grounds.
From 2027, Victoria’s Labor government will make all new homes and most new commercial buildings electric; introduce stronger energy efficiency standards, such as a 7-star energy rating for new homes; plus new minimum standards that will require landlords to provide insulation, draught-proofing, water-saving showerheads, and efficient all-electric appliances for hot water, heating and air conditioning.
The City of Sydney also announced this week that in six months, new residential developments will have to have electric cooktops, ovens and space heating. From 2027, new residential buildings, large commercial buildings and hotels will have to be all-electric.
The new rules won’t apply to industrial uses or existing buildings. Where a mixed-use development is affected by these new planning controls, any food and beverage premises are still able to use gas, provided there is capacity for electrification in the future.
The City of Sydney is now the seventh council in NSW to implement electrification requirements for new buildings.
Dr Shaun Watson, a NSW neurologist and board member of Doctors for the Environment Australia
“These practical electrification reforms by the City of Sydney put the health of residents first.
“Burning gas releases methane and carbon dioxide that are heating the planet. Gas used in the home releases nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde, which are known to trigger childhood asthma and other illnesses.
“Moving away from polluting gas and towards electrification will improve people’s health and the environment.”
Dr Anthony Hull, an anaesthetist at several health districts across Sydney and the Deputy Co-Chair of DEA NSW
“The harms to our communities from using gas products are considerable and should be more widely known.
“Prevention is the best and most effective method for reducing avoidable physical and mental harms to our community.
“As there are equivalent or better electric alternatives to gas appliances that do not carry health risks, it’s vital that we change our practices.”
Dr Kate Wylie, GP and Executive Director of Doctors for the Environment Australia
“We thank the Victorian Government and the City of Sydney for their visionary reforms. These bold regulations are a win for community health and the climate, as well as household bills, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
“As doctors, we call for all governments to electrify our cities and towns as a priority.
“Decades of misinformation and aggressive marketing have created dangerous myths about gas.
“The facts are that gas is a fossil fuel that releases pollutants that harm our health and the climate."
Media contact:
Media and Communications Lead, Carmela Ferraro, 0410 703 074 [email protected]
ENDS