Willoughby councillor John Moratelli backs away from gas ban proposal just months after submitting his motions
A controversial motion that have banned gas in new homes, business and apartments has been withdrawn from the agenda of a Sydney council meeting.
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A Sydney council has abandoned a proposal to ban gas appliances and connections in new homes, with one councillor calling it a “win for common sense.”
The original motion, introduced in March by Willoughby City Councillor John Moratelli, proposed the ban due to health concerns with Moratelli citing research from a 2023 study reported by The New York Times, that linked gas appliances to increased health risks.
However, the motion was withdrawn at the council meeting on April 29, with Councillor Craig Campbell suggesting the move was likely due to Moratelli realising he didn’t have enough support to pass the motion.
“It’s off the table for now,” he said.
“Although I don't think it’s done with just yet I’d say John will be back for another bite at the apple soon”.
“They worked out they didn’t have the numbers and that it’s far better to educate people rather then start banning things.”
It’s unclear how many votes Cr Moratelli had in favour of this motion, however at this time it has been completely withdrawn from Council.
Financially, the motion also claimed that households would save money by moving to all-electric homes, referencing a Victorian Government fact sheet in the motion that estimated savings of $880 per year on energy bills for homes without solar panels, with even greater savings for those with solar.
Willoughby is not the only council to consider phasing out gas, with Parramatta Council already banning gas appliances in commercial and residential developments within the city centre, and the City of Sydney voting to introduce new planning clauses requiring all-electric appliances in new homes and businesses.
Councillor John Moratelli was contacted for comment but hasn’t responded by the time of this publication.
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