Willoughby Council’s June meeting saw Councillor Moratelli put forward a motion to explore the opportunity to ban gas connections in new dwellings. Existing homes would not be affected. All-electric and gas-free homes would save residents money, improve health outcomes and reduce emissions. Victoria and the ACT are leading the way, having banned gas in new builds, and there are currently 13 councils in NSW that have acted, or are in the process of changing planning protocols.

Council heard from four speakers who shared their expertise on the benefits of transitioning away from gas.

Alison Blazey, a Royal North Shore specialist and NSW Secretary of Doctors for the Environment, spoke of the health risks posed by exposure to methane and other toxic chemicals, released when gas is combusted. Living with gas doubles the risk of developing asthma and has been directly attributed to 12% of childhood asthma episodes. There is also evidence of links to allergies and some cancers. Alison noted that methane is known to leak from gas appliances even when switched off.

Council then heard from 350 Australia representative James Conlan, who presented the significant financial savings associated with choosing all-electric. Gas companies charge a daily connection fee that can be upwards of 30% of bill costs. Modern electric appliances are also more efficient, using around 75% less energy. There are numerous studies confirming the financial benefit, calculating it to be between $1,000 – $5,000 in annual energy savings. Additionally, homeowners face considerable disconnection fees and infrastructure costs, should they choose to electrify post-build. Developers are generally supportive of the initiative, as infrastructure costs are reduced in all-electric builds.

Cook, recipe writer and member of Parents for Climate, Lucy Leonardi, busted the myth that wok cooking is compromised on induction. The speed, high heat and wok flavour are achievable without the health risks of gas. Like all forms of cooking, it’s about getting the technique right.

Finally, Mark Crew made a personal appeal to council to consider air quality improvements and the urgent need to transition from carbon emitting fossil fuels.

Despite compelling evidence on the benefits of all-electric, some Councillors persisted in fixating on concerns about wok cooking. The discussion also took a frustrating detour into the Council meetings schedule, not yet planned post-August due to the upcoming election. This was raised by one councillor, which seemed to be a transparent bureaucratic attempt to derail the motion. Council is legally obliged to meet ten times over the year, which means there will be ample opportunity to receive the report proposed by the motion.

It was disappointing to see the motion defeated after being rejected by 6 councillors: Eriksson, McCullagh, Mouradian, Wright, Xia, Zhu. In support were Councillors Greco, Moratelli, Roussac, Samuel, Taylor.

You can see the unedifying drama unfold in Council’s webcast (starts at 1:32) – https://webcast.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/archive/video24-0624.php

And for more on the issue of gas cooking read this recent Sydney Morning Herald article.