The City of Sydney has voted to ban gas appliances in new residential developments from the end of 2025, backing a Greens-led proposal.
This proposal faces strong resistance from corporate interests and the property sector, highlighting the growing tension in shaping Australia’s energy future.
The decision means new homes will no longer include gas cooktops, ovens, or heaters, with all development applications after 31 December 2025 required to be all-electric.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore called the move “a logical next step,” saying, “Relying on fossil fuel gas is bad for the planet, bad for our finances and bad for our health.”
The new rules aim to improve energy efficiency, reduce household bills, and avoid costly retrofits, while protecting residents from volatile gas prices and potential supply shortages.
The council also voted to consult on broader “all-electric” rules for larger developments like hotels and office buildings, and will expand electrification requirements to outdoor gas appliances.
The vote follows strong community support—96% of public submissions backed the gas ban—and growing health evidence linking gas stoves to childhood asthma and respiratory illnesses.
Greens councillor Matthew Thompson said, “You wouldn’t smoke a cigarette in an enclosed room with your child, but that’s effectively what having a gas cooktop in your home exposes kids to.”
The City of Sydney’s move adds momentum to a growing national shift toward all-electric homes, signalling that cleaner, healthier, and more cost-effective energy solutions are not just possible—they’re already underway.