Mark Vender
The Victorian government has released an updated Gas Substitution Roadmap outlining the next steps for Victoria’s transition from fossil gas to electrical appliances.
At the launch, the government highlighted the benefits for households. It says the typical Victorian residential customer is now paying over $500 more for gas than they did less than two years ago – an increase of 35 per cent.
As part of the roadmap, the Victorian Energy Upgrades program will be expanded in 2024 to cover electric induction cooktops. The government says it will also do more work to understand how to support Victorians to transition to electric appliances as older gas appliances reach the end of their lives – including in existing homes and some commercial buildings – through a regulatory impact statement (RIS) that will include “detailed industry engagement and public consultation” on approach and timing. This is planned over 2024. The RIS will exclude some industries, including Victoria’s hospitality, large commercial, industrial and manufacturing sectors.
The government will also a review the minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes, with public consultation beginning in 2024. This will include heating and cooling, ceiling insulation, draught-sealing, and hot water.
The roadmap confirms the government’s commitment to getting off gas.
From January 1, 2024, all new homes that require a planning permit will not be connected to the gas network. The government says it will begin consultation on the potential future expansion of this phase-out to encompass all new residential dwellings and some commercial buildings.
“We’re ensuring Victorians aren’t locked into expensive fossil gas prices and sky-high energy bills for decades – helping them switch to efficient electric appliances that will deliver significant bill savings,” says Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.
The updated Gas Substitution Roadmap is available at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) website.
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