All-electric precinct in the works for Melbourne suburbs

Those with the postcode 3068 will soon be one step closer to a green future, with the City of Yarra announcing the creation of a roadmap for an ‘all-electric precinct’.

The Yarra Energy Foundation’s Wired for Tomorrow initiative will use Clifton Hill and Fitzroy North – postcode 3068 – as a template for how the City of Yarra can achieve net-zero emissions across the community by 2030.

“Transitioning Yarra to an all-electric precinct is a massive task, and one that requires everyone to do their part,” said Dean Kline, CEO of the Yarra Energy Foundation.

“Through the Wired for Tomorrow initiative we’re looking to develop knowledge and support local communities on the journey to all-electric precincts.”

Moving away from gas and onto electric appliances is a crucial part of Australia lowering our emissions. This is particularly important in Victoria, with gas supply shortfalls looming if demand is not lowered.

There’s many other reasons to go alectric too. All electric homes are cheaper to run, with savings of more than $10,000 over 10 years in some areas. On the other hand, those who remain on gas may experience rising prices as the gas market undergoes it’s ‘death spiral’.

In the state, gas connections in new homes and government businesses have been banned from the first day of 2024, while there have been more incentives added for people to switch over.

However, ensuring that people living in rental properties, those with low income and other marginalised groups also have access to electric will be trickier.

The Yarra City council hope that the roadmap for 3068 will help identify some of these issues.

“Yarra City Council in partnership with the Yarra Energy Foundation is laying the essential groundwork to understand the challenges and opportunities to transition from gas to renewable energy,” said Yarra City Council Mayor Edward Crossland.

“The Yarra community is fortunate we have members of our community who are passionate about ensuring that electrification will be planned, considered and strategic.”

The postcode 3068 was chosen because of its range of infrastructure and building diversity. They also suggest that the area is an “active and engaged community that is favourable to the establishment of an all-electric precinct.”

The Yarra Energy Foundation and Yarra City Council will be working with community group Electrify 3068, which emerged from the Rewiring Australia and Electrify 2515 initiatives.

“We’re going to be creating an inspiring vision for an all-electric precinct within the City of Yarra. We want to show communities how the entire energy system is connected and what an all-electric future might actually look like in their neighbourhood,” the Yarra Energy Foundation wrote on their LinkedIn.

“We hope that this visionary initiative will develop knowledge and support local communities on the journey to all-electric precincts.”