Sydney Slams Brakes on Gas Appliances: City Council Bans Fossil Fuels in New Buildings in Shock Move to Save Planet
- Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore declares war on gas, citing its devastating impact on health and the environment
- New buildings in the city will be forced to ditch gas appliances from January 2027, with cafes and restaurants allowed to use gas connections only if they can be easily electrified
- Experts hail the move as a “win for health, climate and cost-of-living”, with doctors warning that gas stoves are linked to 12% of childhood asthma cases
In a dramatic bid to slash greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health, the City of Sydney has voted to ban all gas appliances in new buildings, sending shockwaves through the construction industry.
The bold move, which was endorsed by the council on Monday, will come into effect on January 1, 2027, and will apply to newly-built offices, hotels, and serviced apartments. The ban is a major victory for environmentalists and health experts, who have long warned about the dangers of gas appliances.
According to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the decision is a “win for health, climate and cost-of-living”. “Relying on gas is bad for the planet, bad for our finances and bad for our health,” she declared. “It is why the move has been met with broad approval from a diverse variety of stakeholders.”
Doctors for the Environment Australia chair and neurologist Shaun Watson welcomed the move, saying it would “enhance the livelihood of Sydneysiders”. “Burning gas indoors releases carbon dioxide which is heating the planet,” he warned. “Gas used in the home also releases nitrogen dioxide, benzene and formaldehyde which are known to trigger childhood asthma and are linked to cancers.”
The ban will not apply to existing buildings, renovations, or industrial sites that cannot be easily electrified. However, the council has made it clear that it will be working with developers to ensure that all new buildings are designed with electrification in mind.
As the city prepares to make the switch to renewable energy, experts are hailing the move as a major step forward in the fight against climate change. With the clock ticking down to the 2027 deadline, the question on everyone’s mind is: will other cities follow Sydney’s lead?