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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Adam Morton

Don’t believe the hype: Victorian government deserves credit for not buckling to aggressive pro-gas campaign

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan (right) and energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio with an Emerald hot water system during a press conference at a home in Reservoir, Melbourne
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan (right) and energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio say gas heating and hot water systems will be banned from 1 January 2027. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

It didn’t go as far as previously flagged, but don’t believe the negative hype about Victoria’s plan to start weaning off gas: it is a significant step that will help drive households and businesses away from fossil fuels and cut energy bills.

The Allan Labor government announced that gas heating and hot water systems will be banned in all new homes and nearly all new commercial buildings, including schools and hospitals, from 1 January 2027. They will not be connected to the state’s gas network and will run on electric systems. New agricultural and manufacturing buildings, some of which use gas for high-temperature industrial processes, are excluded.

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