Lane Cove Council: New planning laws ban gas in new swimming pool developments

Suburban swimming pools are the latest target for climate conscious councils as new planning laws are enforced outlawing the use of gas to heat pools.

New planning laws for pools have been adopted.

Suburban swimming pools are the latest target for climate conscious councils as new planning rules are enforced outlawing the use of gas to heat pools.

Lane Cove Council has become the latest jurisdiction to crack down on residential gas usage by adopting a new development control plan that bans the use of gas to heat swimming pools.

The move is one of the most significant steps taken by local jurisdictions to limit the use of fossil fuels and comes as a growing list of Sydney councils lobby the state government to enforce bans on gas cooking in favour of electric appliances.

Lane Cove Councillor Kathy Bryla said the gas ban on residential pools would show the council was “joining the movers and doers” in climate action.

“This is leading the way for us to join other councils across the country who are taking climate action measures as well as improving their sustainability goals,” she said.

Lane Cove Council has enacted new planning laws.

Lane Cove councillor David Brooks-Horn – one of two of nine councillors who has opposed the ban – has hit out at the move, labelling it an “overreach”.

“We’re in a housing crisis and what we’re doing is saying let’s increase the cost of developing a new house,” he said.

“We can cut out gas tomorrow but don’t worry about heating your pool because your not going to be able to afford one.”

A Lane Cove Council spokeswoman said the new requirements would need to be addressed by applicants when lodging development applications for pool from October 1.

The planning controls mean heated pools must use alternatives to gas such as electric-powered heat pumps, which typically cost between $7000 to $9000 to install.

Pools in Lane Cove now must use alternative heating measures to gas.

Lane Cove pool builder Mike Kendall said the policy could have unforeseen implications.

“A lot of people are already making the switch from gas to electric and heat pumps and after the initial outlay of a heat pump, they are more cost effective to run,” he said.

“But where it becomes a problem is if you want to heat a spa it will take a full day to heat, whereas with a gas heater it will take half an hour.

“Electric pumps are also problematic for hospitals and people with disabilities who have therapy pools who need instant heating and gas is the most efficient way to do that.

“At the end of the day people should have the choice.”

Premier Chris Minns has previously ruled out banning new gas connections in the state, saying it would complicate the “extreme” challenges the state is facing in the transition to renewable energy.

The laws have been supported by a majority of Lane Cove councillors.

While the State Government has ruled out a statewide ban, a Department of Planning spokesman said the department was not involved in the preparation of development control plans enacted by local councils.

Lane Cove Mayor Scott Bennison – who voted against the gas ban – believes it could result in a spike in Land and Environment Court challenges by residents seeking to circumvent the council’s planning rules.

“The cost of electricity keeps going up and at the end of the day it’s the people who’ll end up paying for it,” he said.