Gas is out and electrification is in for one of Australia’s densest property markets.
From January 1, 2026, new residential developments within the City of Sydney will be mandated to install electric cooktops, ovens, and indoor heating and cooling systems.
Expected to impact about 237,000 residents across the LGA, the initial phase marks a decisive move away from gas, with the council aiming for full electrification of all new properties by January 1, 2027.
According to Yahoo News, this later date will see outdoor gas fittings, including heaters and barbecues, also outlawed in new builds, ensuring a completely electric standard for future homes and commercial developments.
The change aligns with national moves already in force in Victoria and the ACT, where most new developments can’t connect to gas.
Sydney’s landmark decision comes two years after the council first flagged its support for a gas ban.
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Gas cooking will soon be a thing of the past for new home builds across Sydney.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the reforms would not only cut emissions but also deliver health and financial benefits, noting that gas stoves have been linked to 12 per cent of Aussie asthma cases in kids.
“Relying on gas is bad for the planet, bad for our finances and bad for our health,” she said.
“It is why the move has been met with broad approval from a diverse variety of stakeholders.
“Industry bodies from Ausgrid to the Property Council have endorsed the move, reflecting a broad community consensus on the need to end our reliance on gas.
“The reality is that gas is an expensive commodity that is forecast to go up in price.”
Sydney is not alone in this pioneering shift.
Victoria led the charge, banning new gas connections for all new homes and residential subdivisions requiring a planning permit from January 2024.
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Even gas BBQs will be outlawed from January 1, 2027.
Similarly, the ACT government ceased new gas network connections from December 2023, with a long-term goal to phase out gas entirely by 2045.
While industrial and existing buildings are exempt from these immediate changes, and mixed-use developments can still install gas kitchens designed for easy conversion, the message is clear: the future of Australian property is electric.
For developers, this means adapting building practices and material sourcing.
For homeowners, it means considering the long-term implications of gas versus electric appliances when renovating or purchasing, as all-electric homes are poised to become the new benchmark for modern, efficient, and desirable living.
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