Updated Gas Substitution Roadmap takes Victoria a step closer to breaking free from gas

In response to the release of Victoria’s updated Gas Substitution Roadmap, Environment Victoria’s Senior Climate and Energy Adviser Dr Kat Lucas-Healey said today:

“Today’s announcement creates a pathway towards ending gas use in every Victorian home – which would be a profound and essential step in meeting our climate targets.

“We particularly congratulate the Allan government for opening the door to phasing out the installation of new gas appliances which would be a groundbreaking and absolutely necessary step.

“We also welcome the move to ban new gas connections for houses that don’t need planning permits, closing a significant loophole in the existing ban that comes into effect next month.

“Anyone who’s experienced a draughty, poorly heated rental will celebrate the move to improve Victorian minimum rental standards to include insulation and exclude gas heaters.

“Despite these significant and positive initiatives, a number of areas remain unaddressed. The Allan government knows the public must be brought along on the energy transition, so it’s disappointing there is no requisite education campaign that would ensure people understand why this is happening.

“Ultimately to stop runaway climate change we need to ensure that fossil gas stays in the ground so we are disappointed the Allan government hasn’t ruled out approving new sources of supply such as drilling under the Twelve Apostles or giant import terminals in Port Phillip Bay.

“This week’s COP28 proved how difficult it is to make real progress at the international level, but with this announcement Victoria shows once more that real leadership starts at home.

“Victoria’s transition off gas is both more complex and more urgent than anywhere else in Australia. Today’s updated Gas Substitution Roadmap update demonstrates the government is seriously grappling with the complexity but more urgency is still required.”