Victoria's Energy Future
Your gas connection is safe, secure, and here to stay.
The Victorian Government has recently announced that new dwellings requiring a planning permit will be required to be all-electric from 1 January 2024.
The means that new homes, residential subdivisions, and apartment buildings that require a planning permit in order to be built cannot connect to the gas network.
Importantly, this new requirement does not apply to:
- New dwellings that do not require a planning permit.
- Existing homes that have an existing gas connection.
- Existing homes without an existing gas connection.
- Renovations and extensions to existing dwellings that do not require a planning permit.
This means that gas customers in Victoria can continue to enjoy the safe and reliable gas that they love, long into the future without having to make any changes to their homes or appliances.
Customers planning to build or undertake any works at their property after 1 January 2024, and would like to connect to gas, will need to speak with their builder or developer to understand if a planning permit is required:
- If a planning permit is required, we suggest that you act quickly and have your planning permit lodged before 1 January 2024.
- If a planning permit is not required, then we can connect you.
It's important to remember that dwellings with planning permits already lodged or approved will not be impacted by these restrictions.
We have listed a set of common FAQs below for further information.
If you would like to get in touch, you can send us a message.
Our Renewable Gas Journey
Gas is also on a journey to become renewable. Renewable gases such as renewable hydrogen and biomethane deliver all the great benefits of natural gas, and are carbon neutral when burnt. Click here to find out how we’re changing gas for good.
FAQs
A: The Victorian Government has announced that starting from 1 January 2024, they will be making amendments to Victoria’s Planning Provisions and all planning schemes. These changes will introduce new restrictions for connecting to a gas network for new builds.
This does not apply to existing homes or existing gas customers. You still have the power to choose gas appliances to suit your home and lifestyle; be it cooking, hot water or heating.
Gas is a great choice, and the energy of choice, for over 1.4 million Victorians.
A: Yes, there are many occasions where you still have the power to choose.
These include newly built homes that do not require a planning permit; renovations, alterations or additions to existing dwellings or apartment buildings (even those with significant works planned provided no planning permit is required); commercial lots within new estates and planning permit applications lodged before 1 January 2024. In these situations, you can continue to choose to connect to gas.
It's important to remember that properties with planning permits already lodged or approved will not be impacted by these restrictions.
A: The new rules will come into effect on 1 January 2024.
A: Definitely not. If you want to cook the perfect steak in a skillet pan over a high heat gas flame, or perhaps wok-fry some noodles, we’re here for you. We’ll continue to supply you gas today, and well into the future as we transition from natural gas to renewable gas.
A: No.You are free to retain, replace or install any new gas appliances to your property or business. You can rest assured that the flame you love is here to stay. We are investing in a low carbon future with renewable gas, which means you can continue to love gas today, and well into the future. We have a range of rebates available if you are looking to add new connections or upgrade to a more efficient appliance.
A: The new restrictions will apply to developments that require a planning permit after 1 January 2024. This includes new homes, apartment buildings, total knockdown and rebuild projects, mixed apartment buildings, social housing, and new subdivisions.
You’ll need to speak to your builder or developer in terms of where you are in the process. If you already have a planning permit, then we can connect you. But we’d encourage you to check you have everything you need in place with your builder. If you have any queries, let us know if we can help.
A: Gas is a great choice for kitchens! If this is a simple upgrade that doesn’t require a planning permit from local council, then no problems, we can’t wait to get you connected.
A: Make sure you act quickly and have your planning permit lodged before 1 January 2024. After that date, under the current conditions you will no longer have the choice. There are some instances where you don’t need a planning permit, but we’d still advise you check.
If you are undertaking any building work on your property, you'll need to find out whether your project requires a planning permit, a building permit, or both. If you do need a planning permit and you want to connect to gas, you’ll need to lodge a planning permit before 1 January 2024.
Planning permits are issued by your local council.
A planning application may address a range of matters relating to your property and proposed build. Your application will be assessed based on the information you provide and once a permit is issued, the applicant can act upon it and will normally be allowed two years to complete the development, however, this can be extended with approval from the council.
A: You’ll need to speak to your builder or developer in terms of where you are in the process. We’d encourage you to check with your builder or developer about getting gas connected in your new build. Gas is a great choice in Victoria, especially for heating during cold winters.
A: Yes, you can! The restrictions do not apply to existing properties with an existing gas connection. You still have the power to choose gas appliances that suit your business.
A: Gas is a fuel of choice for many small business owners! If you are opening your new small business in an existing property that already has a gas connection, you can continue to use gas. If the existing property is not currently connected to gas, we can absolutely connect you.
If you are opening your new small business in a building that is yet to be built (or will be built after 1 January 2024), you’ll need to speak to the builder or developer in terms of where you are in the process. If they already have a planning permit for the building, we understand you can connect to gas. But we’d encourage you to check you have everything you need with the builder.
A: Existing and future homes that wish to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are not restricted to do so, either via exchange cylinders or “insitu tanks”. Homes will still be able to use liquefied petroleum gas, where the gas is stored in a large tank.
More than 300,000 homes in Victoria – mainly regional - currently use LPG for either in-home cooking, hot water and heating.
A: Ha! No, you’ll still be able to swap-and-go your gas bottles and cook your great Aussie BBQs. Even better, if you have an existing dwelling and gas is available in your area, we can help you get your BBQ connected to natural gas to save you the trip to the local servo.
A: Natural gas today has lower emissions than grid-based electricity in Victoria. Around Currently, 670% of Victoria’s electricity is currently coal generated electricity, which produces around [4-5 times ] the carbon emissions than burning natural gas. But what you should keep in mind is that we are also planning a renewable gas future with a pathway to decarbonisation of our gas networks. You can find out more here.
We think natural gas is a great choice today when coupled with other renewable sources of energy , but we encourage you to always do work out what works best for you and your family.
A: No two families or households are the same. We encourage you to do your own calculations on what works best for you, and your family. You should consider building design, insulation, upfront costs, as well as maintenance and appliance life. If you’re retrofitting, you should also fully investigate costs to upgrade your electricity supply as these can be significant if required.
Gas is often a great choice in terms of affordability, reliability and comfort. Especially in the cold winters in Victoria.
Choosing and installing high efficiency gas appliances is a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact.
A: If you are undertaking any building work on your property, you'll need to find out whether your project requires a planning permit, a building permit, or both. And if you need a planning permit and want to connect to gas, you’ll need to lodge a planning permit before 1 January 2024.
Planning permits are issued by your local council. These permits are required by law and are designed to protect you.
It's a good idea to seek advice from your local council if you are considering building work on your property to confirm whether a building permit or planning permit is required. You can also consult a building surveyor for advice.
Planning permits give permission to develop or use land in a particular way. You may require a planning permit for a new home, extension, renovation, or an additional dwelling on the land.
Your local council is responsible for the planning permit, and you need to ensure you lodge your application before 1 January 2024.
A: Each state and territory make its own determinations regarding the energy choices available for customers. Governments in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory have indicated they are not considering banning gas to homes.
If you would like to get in touch, you can send us a message or speak to one of our friendly customer service team members on 1300 001 001 (between 8am and 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday).
