State not considering gas ban

Premier Roger Cook has ruled out following the lead of Victoria in banning the use of gas in new homes from 2024.

The Victorian government announced over the weekend its plans to phase out gas, making electricity the primary energy source in new residential builds from next year.

The government said the move would save new households around $1,000 off their energy bills annually by reducing reliance on gas production, while reducing emissions.

Public buildings including hospitals and schools that have yet to reach design stage will also be moved away from gas.

WA is in the midst of a significant government infrastructure rollout and with a near-record number of houses under construction in the state, but Premier Roger Cook today ruled out following the lead of his east coast counterpart in banning new gas connections for now.

“It’s not something we’re considering at this point in time,” he said.

“As we move towards a green energy future, there will be more options for Western Australians to be able to power their homes and lives.

“We’ll continue to make sure we look at all the elements of that energy transition process and continue to make decisions along the way.”

Mr Cook referenced the viability for existing gas infrastructure to transport hydrogen as part of a potential energy mix for the future.

“You can imagine the future is going to be a very exciting one,” he said.

“Not only the use of green, renewable power, but also the use of hydrogen, for instance, as part of a reticulated gas network which we’ve already incorporated into our natural gas network.

“The future is an exciting one but we need to make sure we step through that process carefully, rather than making big announcements now which we might come to regret later.”

In May, APA Group revealed a conversion feasibility study into a section of its Parmelia gas pipeline found that hydrogen could be viably transported through the existing gas infrastructure.

Last week, APA and the state government rolled out a $460 million gas pipeline connecting the Mid West to the Goldfields.