The people of Canberra are being called on to help the Territory transition itself away from fusil fuels with the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) opening consultation on proposals to prevent new gas network connections.
Encouraging everyone to have their say, the Minister for Climate Action, Andrew Barr said regulation to prevent new gas network connections was an important step towards making Canberra a net zero emissions city by 2045.
Mr Barr said EPSDD had released an issues paper to better understand impacts that a change like this would have on all members of the community.
“The cost of gas is more than likely to grow in the coming decades,” Mr Barr said.
“All-electric buildings are not only a better choice for the environment, but they’re also better for future building users, and will save people money on energy costs,” he said.
“We want to continue to hear from Canberrans on this transition project.”
Mr Barr said community feedback would support the development of the regulation, which is to commence in the second half of 2023.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said that right now, more Canberrans than ever were electrifying their homes.
“At the same time, approximately 80 per cent of all new homes in the ACT are still connecting to gas – homes that will need to be electrified by 2045,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The proposed regulation is an important step in readying our city for an all-electric future and I look forward to hearing community ideas on how we achieve the best outcome for Canberra households, businesses, and industry,” he said.
“There are already a variety of supports available for Canberrans looking to electrify their homes and businesses.”
EPSDD’s 64-page Regulating for the prevention of new fossil fuel gas network connections issues paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
