Let’s keep Fairfield City cooking with gas
Published on 22 August 2023
Tonight Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone will be tabling a Mayoral Minute for Council to support that the Fairfield LGA is open to all forms of energy including gas, and that investment in all forms of energy is encouraged across the City.
Endorsing a gas ban in homes and businesses does not take into consideration the cost of living pressures and its impact on families. Fairfield City values a diversified energy supply which includes gas.
“Natural gas is efficient, affordable and reliable, and we believe that our residents should be allowed to choose their preferred energy solution,” Mayor Carbone said.
“Last night the City of Sydney passed a motion to ban gas in all new homes and businesses with 8 out of 10 councillors in support. The move means that all new homes and businesses across the city must be all-electric and gas-free if the NSW Government agrees to the ban. They propose to insert new clauses into planning rules, requiring new homes and businesses to include electric appliances like stoves and cook tops, electric heaters, and electric hot water units. Gas alternatives will no longer be allowed. Well, I can tell you now that we will not be pushing to ban gas in our city.
“Our city is known across the state for its multicultural communities and diverse food offering. People travel from far and wide to experience authentic cuisine from restaurants that rely on gas for cooking. Commercial kitchens are fitted with gas appliances for a reason – it’s the greatest heat, it’s instant, it can be turned up and turned down to keep up in a fast-paced environment, also with gas you can char ingredients directly on a flame which gives you an entirely different flavour not possible with induction heat.
“Small business is the lifeblood of our communities and economy, and council is committed to providing an environment to help them succeed. We have 5,080 businesses in the food and beverage sector that are crucial to our visitor economy, and it’s important that they are given a choice when it comes to their preferred source of energy.”