Everything you need to make your voice count
Having your say on Victoria’s proposed plan to phase out old gas appliances is easy. Simply head to the Victorian Government’s Engage website and answer the quick survey.
To help you with your responses we’ve created and easy to follow guide, scroll down or click here to see the guide.
Burning gas at home is a disaster for our climate, health and cost of living. Gas is responsible for about 17% of Victoria’s climate pollution, half of which is from gas burned in homes.
The Victorian government is asking for feedback on a plan to phase out polluting gas appliances as they break down. The government’s plan would mean that when old gas heaters and hot water systems break down, the replacements your tradie has to offer will be efficient, cost-effective, electric appliances.
Nobody would be required to go out tomorrow and buy a new heater or hot water service. But this plan, if implemented, would break the cycle of reinstalling polluting 1980s-era appliances in Victorian homes.
Doing nothing is not an option. The proposed regulations are the kind of decisive action Victoria needs in order to start the transition away from methane gas and towards homes powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The price of gas in Victoria has tripled in less than a decade and the once-abundant gas fields in Bass Strait are running out. Whether it is piped from interstate, imported from overseas or drilled from under the 12 Apostles, the era of cheap gas is over.
We need to transition off gas to meet our climate targets. At the same time, it’s absurd that Australia exports huge volumes of gas, driving up prices at home while damaging the climate and putting people at further risk of climate disasters.
The plan put forward by the government is common sense. But with their business model under threat, the gas lobby is trying to whip up a fact-free culture war and create fear about voter backlash. It’s important the government hear from people like you, who want to see action that saves Victorians money, makes for healthier more comfortable homes and protects our climate.
By sharing your input, you can help ensure no one is left behind. Many buildings in Victoria weren’t designed for retrofitting new appliances. While solutions can often be found, it’s essential to have a plan that enables everyone to transition to cheaper, healthier electric appliances.
Do you support the introduction of Building Electrification regulations?
This question is asking whether new regulations are the best response to our problem with gas.
Regulations to phase gas appliances out will help overcome the barriers that are currently blocking the path away from gas.
Regulations are important because they make sure that as many people as possible make the switch to cheaper efficient electric appliances.
They send a strong signal that Victoria is a great place for businesses providing efficient electric products to set up shop.
Regulations will change the way tradespeople work, ensuring that when a gas heater or hot water system breaks down, they come prepared to install something better.
It will ensure that there are well-established supply chains at an economy of scale so that Victorians can access the most efficient and reliable products.
Regulations will help households and businesses break the cycle of reinstalling gas appliances and being stuck with excessive energy bills.
What is your preferred Option in the RIS?
✔ Our Answer: Option 2
Option 2 includes:
All gas appliances in all new residential buildings
All gas appliances in all existing residential buildings
All gas appliances in all new commercial buildings
All gas appliances in all existing commercial buildings except commercial kitchens
Industrial buildings are excluded
Unlike the government’s preferred option (option 3), option 2 (our preference) includes cooktops, which will lead to full electrification over time of eligible residential and commercial buildings.
Option 2 offers the greatest emissions reductions, lowers household costs, and avoids health risks like asthma linked to gas cooktops, benefiting renters who lack appliance choices. It also eliminates rising connection fees and ensures a fair transition for businesses by phasing out gas in commercial buildings, cutting their utility costs and leveling the playing field. In contrast, Option 3 falls short by excluding existing commercial buildings, leaving many businesses vulnerable to high gas bills.
This is a great place to share any relevant personal experiences – have you had to ring around to find a tradie to install an electric hot water system when your gas one failed?
Have you been frustrated by the lack of electric options recommended by a tradesperson? Once installed were you surprised by the cost-savings and comfort offered by an electric appliance?
You can also use this space to highlight the importance of cutting climate pollution, the health harms of cooktops or other reasons.
If you’ve already made the switch away from gas appliances and think it should be easier for everyone to do the same – you could share that.
Do you think any additional exemptions are required?
What do you see as the most important driver for electrification of residential and commercial buildings? (tick all that apply)
Tick whichever boxes you feel are important
What do you see as the main barriers to electrification of residential and commercial buildings? (tick all that apply)
Additional barriers to consider adding in under other:
After reviewing the RIS, do you have any other general comments or questions about the proposal?
Explain why you think it’s important for the government to regulate the move away from gas appliances so that people and businesses can meet their needs in ways that are cheaper, healthier, and better for the climate.
Here are some additional prompts for you to consider:
These benefits need to be available to everyone, including renters, people on lower incomes and people in apartments. Too often, groups who need the most support are left out.
Regulations should be accompanied by incentives and support that are targeted at groups that are hardest to reach. The government also needs to make sure that social housing providers have the resources they need to comply.