Protesters rally against gas in homes outside Wollongong City Council earlier this year. Photo: Melanie Barnes.
A push to stall a potential ban on gas for a decade has been shut down – but Wollongong City Council still hasn’t taken a firm position.
Gas has been a hot topic in the council chambers for some time now.
In late 2024 when a draft review of the 2009 Wollongong Development Control Plan, Chapter A2: Ecologically Sustainable Development was put out for exhibition Greens councillors pushed for the inclusion of a direct question to residents about whether gas should be banned in new builds.
They garnered little support, and the idea did not go ahead.
Since then, however, a number of community members have taken to the public access forum to urge Wollongong City Council to follow in the footsteps of half a dozen NSW councils – including the City of Sydney council – and ban gas connections from new builds.
They say the effect of gas on child health and asthma is an unacceptable risk, and as it is a fossil fuel the council should look to phasing it out as part of the council’s net zero commitments.
Opponents also argue that gas is costly, and refitting gas-reliant households off the network is also expensive.
Council staff have been working on a report to outline whether such a ban would be feasible in Wollongong and if it fits with the council’s existing policy framework.
Councillor Ryan Morris wants the work scuppered, however, and he proposed a 10-year hiatus on the council even considering such a move.
“Council staff have briefed us that we cannot ban gas based on environmental reasons, and that’s why they are looking at health and cost of living,” he said.
“NSW Premier Chris Minns said such a ban would be unenforceable, and I don’t like the idea of council staff putting man hours into doing something we can’t enforce.
“I don’t have gas and I would never put a gas cooktop in my house, but I don’t like the idea of bans, especially on something as wanted as a stable load energy system, which is gas.”
Councillor David Brown asked the general manager Greg Doyle whether any appeals had been lodged against councils that had implemented a gas ban.
Mr Doyle said a review of Land and Environment Court records found there were no appeals so far.
Cr Brown said in light of that he saw no reason to halt work on a policy halfway through.
“Why would we in advance reject a policy without reading a staff report and weighing the pros and cons,” he asked.
“Attempting to bind a future council to a decision now is not good governance and anyway a recision motion can knock it out.
“All-electric homes mean you can have anything at the front end of the process for power generation, from fossil fuels to solar, nuclear or unicorn farts.
“This work is not onerous for staff. The development industry is relaxed about it, and the planning process already eliminates a number of personal choices – try putting a garbage incinerator in your backyard and see how you get on.
“Our region is getting state and federal funding and private sector attention as a centre for renewable energy.
“Why would we be a laggard in this space?”
Councillor Ann Martin also opposed the motion.
She said households already connected to gas could continue to use it, and no-one would be made to retrospectively change their power source.
“The Australian Property Council supports this idea; wonders never cease,” she said.
“A number of years ago this council declared climate change is an emergency and we must do something.
“This is a continuation of that process, not a waste of staff’s time.
“If we can do something we should.”
Councillor Andrew Anthony said times changed, and gas in homes might go the same way as leaded petrol in family cars.
Councillor Dan Hayes stood as the sole supporter of Cr Morris’ motion.
He said the option of gas should be available for those who want it and there were better uses for council resources.
“If the State Government wants to make a change so be it, but I’m not going to die on that hill,” he said.
The motion was defeated.
