The Victorian Government is exploring sustainable alternatives and pathways for the gas sector to move to net zero emissions and is developing a Gas Substitution Roadmap throughout 2021 to provide a strategic framework for decarbonising natural gas in Victoria.

The Gas Substitution Roadmap will detail several strategies and identify policy mechanisms to achieve Victoria’s emissions reduction targets through reduced fugitive emissions, more efficient use of gas, electrification, and increased use of alternative gases such as hydrogen and biogas.

Master Builders Victoria has produced a submission in response which reflects the concerns of our members.

Our submission focuses on the removal of the requirement for the fitting of gas boosted solar hot water or rainwater in addition to the 6 Star requirements.

This reflects the fact that many of our members are now building more all electric houses and supports a transition towards more use of the zero-carbon energy produced by consumers from their own solar panels or from the increasing renewable energy in the grid.

The submission also calls for the automatic inclusion of gas infrastructure in new developments to be reconsidered.