<![CDATA[CLEANaS - Clean Energy Association of Newcastle and Surrounds - News]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:33:55 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Asthma and Gas-free new homes for Lake Mac]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.cleanas.org.au/news/asthma-and-gas-free-new-homes-for-lake-macAsthma and Gas-free new homes for Lake Mac

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What is asthma?

Asthma is a long‑term condition that affects the lungs. It happens when the airways become inflamed and narrow, making it harder to breathe. People with asthma can experience wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and a feeling of tightness in the chest.[1]
Asthma affects people of all ages and can be well managed with the right care, but there’s currently no cure.

How common is asthma in Australia?

Asthma is very common in Australia — in fact, we have some of the highest rates in the world.
  • 1 in 9 Australians (about 2.7 million people) live with asthma.
  • In 2024, 478 Australians died from asthma. [2]
  • Asthma was the 8th leading cause of disease burden in Australia that year. [3]

Asthma in children

Asthma is the most common long‑term health condition in children worldwide [4], and Australia is no exception.
  • 1 in 10 Australian children has asthma. [5]
  • It was the most commonly reported long‑term condition in children aged 0–14 in 2017–18.
  • In 2024, asthma was the leading cause of disease burden for Australian children aged 1–9. [6]. It affects children’s daily life, learning, and participation in sport and play. It’s a major reason for hospital visits, school absences, and family stress. 43% of all asthma hospitalisations in 2024 were for children aged 0–14.
​Asthma doesn’t affect all children equally:
  • Children with disability have twice the rate of asthma (18%) compared with children without disability (8.9%).
  • Rates are higher in lower‑income households (12%) than in higher‑income households (8.4%).
  • Children in single‑parent families are more likely to have asthma (13% vs 9.4%).
  • Indigenous children have significantly higher rates (15% compared with 9.3% for non‑Indigenous children). A recent survey also found 12.1% of Indigenous children had asthma [7].

Asthma in Lake Macquarie

Asthma is even more common locally.
  • In the Lake Macquarie LGA, 17.2% of children aged 2–14 have asthma.
  • That’s much higher than the Australian average (10%) and the NSW average (13%). [8]

NO₂ and gas stoves — what’s going on?

When we burn gas (methane) for cooking or heating, the flame doesn’t just make heat — it also creates pollution. The high temperature of the flame turns nitrogen in the air into nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and nitric oxide (NO). Together, these are called NOx.
Gas flames also release other harmful pollutants like formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benezene and fine particles that can get deep into the lungs. [9] [10]


Why NO₂ matters
​NO₂ is a strong irritant gas. When we breathe it in, it dissolves into the lining of our airways and causes inflammation and tightening of the air passages. This is especially harmful for children, whose lungs are still developing. NO₂ exposure can also make kids more sensitive to allergens. [8]

What studies show about NO₂ and asthma

Research from around the world — including Australia — has consistently found that NO₂ is linked to both:
  • developing asthma, and
  • triggering asthma attacks.
Children exposed to higher levels of NO₂, whether at home or school, tend to have:
  • more frequent and severe asthma symptoms
  • reduced lung function
  • more trips to the doctor or hospital
One study found that children living in homes with gas stoves were:
  • twice as likely to wheeze or feel short of breath
  • four times as likely to experience chest tightness compared with children in homes without gas stoves. [11]
NO₂ doesn’t just affect kids, it can also make asthma worse in adults. Long‑term exposure can even play a role in developing and worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious lung condition that affects about 1 in 13 people over the age of 40. The elderly in particular are vulnerable to poor indoor air quality as they spend comparatively more time indoors. [12]

How common is asthma linked to gas stoves?

  • A major US study estimated that 12.7% of childhood asthma is linked to gas stove use.
  • Australian researchers found a very similar number: 12.3% of childhood asthma in Australia is attributable to gas cooking. [13]
  • For a child who already has asthma and lives in a home with a gas stove, about 30% of their asthma risk comes from that stove alone.
  • Gas stove exposure has also been linked to a higher chance of being allergic to house dust mites. [14]

What Australian and international studies tell us

A study across 12 Australian cities found a clear link between outdoor NO₂ levels and the rate of childhood asthma. [15]
But exposure isn’t the same for everyone:
  • People living in small homes or apartments had four times the NO₂ exposure of those in large homes.
  • Low‑income households were exposed to twice the NO₂ levels of high‑income households. [16]
This means some families — often those with fewer resources — face much higher health risks.

Lake Macquarie: growth and rising gas use

About 57% of homes in Lake Macquarie are connected to gas, [17] [18] Furthermore, Lake Macquarie is growing quickly, adding around 2,143 people and 860 new homes each year. [19]

Across NSW, gas use in homes is still increasing:
  • 16,000–22,000 new gas connections are added each year [20]
  • That’s 36–46% of all new builds [21]
  • For Lake Macquarie, this would mean 300–400 new gas‑connected homes every year

​This locks in higher indoor air pollution for decades to come.

Why gas‑free new homes are a smart solution

Installing gas in new homes locks in:
  • poorer indoor air quality
  • higher NO₂ exposure
  • exposure to formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and fine particles (PM2.5)
  • increased asthma risk, especially for children and the elderly
The simplest and most effective way to protect kids from NO₂ is to avoid creating it in the first place. That means reducing or eliminating activities that produce NO₂ — and gas cooking is one of the biggest and easiest sources to replace.
Switching new homes to all‑electric is:
  • low‑cost
  • easy to implement
  • healthier for families
  • better for children’s lungs
  • aligned with modern building trends and energy efficiency goals
In short: going gas‑free in new builds is one of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce asthma risk for kids.

Economic Benefits of All‑Electric Buildings

Going all‑electric isn’t just better for our health by cutting indoor air pollution like NO₂,  it also saves money and avoids the need for expensive new gas infrastructure.
Lane Cove Council found that skipping a gas connection for an apartment can save around $2,000 upfront [22]. And because new gas customers now have to cover the full cost of connecting to the network, some households could face between $7,500 and $17,300 in extra charges, depending on where they live. [23] [24]
​
The NSW Government has also pointed out that electric appliances are generally cheaper to run and maintain than gas. When households and small businesses switch to all‑electric, the savings really stack up — about $2,771 a year, or around $4,000 a year if you’ve got solar. Even apartments can save roughly $2,400 a year by electrifying. [25]

How Councils Can Keep Gas Out of New Developments

Local councils in NSW actually have a lot of power when it comes to shaping what new homes and businesses look like. With a simple change to their planning rules, councils can make sure new developments are built all‑electric — no new gas connections — and it costs them almost nothing to do it. The only real expense is staff time to update the local planning policies.
Taking this step doesn’t just cut indoor air pollution and improve community health. It also means every new household moving into the area gets lower energy bills from day one. [26]
​

The Role of Development Control Plans (DCPs)

Every council in NSW has a Development Control Plan, or DCP. This is one of the main tools councils use to guide what gets built in their area. A DCP sets out the standards and expectations that developers need to meet when they lodge a development application.[27]
​
A DCP works a bit like a performance guide,  it sets objectives that developments should meet, rather than strict rules for every single detail. That means councils can include provisions that discourage or prevent gas connections in new buildings. Even though not every clause in a DCP is mandatory on its own, the overall objectives carry real weight when council staff assess development applications.

If a DCP clearly states that new buildings should be all‑electric, it becomes much harder for developers to justify including gas. [28]   And importantly, councils don’t need state government approval to update their DCP,  they just need a majority vote.

Many councils have already done this, including Newcastle, Lane Cove, Parramatta, Waverley, Inner West, the City of Sydney and North Sydney.

Working Within NSW Planning Rules

There is one limitation: under the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), councils can’t ban gas purely to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But the SEPP doesn’t stop councils from acting for health or economic reasons — and both are strong, evidence‑based grounds for avoiding gas in new buildings.

Councils also have to consider BASIX, the state’s sustainability rating tool for new homes. BASIX sets minimum standards for energy, water and thermal performance, but it doesn’t require or prohibit gas. [29]  In other words, BASIX doesn’t get in the way of councils choosing to support all‑electric development.

Case Study: Lane Cove Council

Lane Cove Council is a great example of how this can work in practice.

In September 2023, the council updated its DCP to require all new developments over $250,000 to be fully electric. Their rule is simple:

“All new developments are to use only electricity for all energy requirements associated with normal operations. Where outdoor barbeques require gas then only bottled gas may be used.”

They also included exemptions for specialised industrial uses that genuinely can’t electrify.
Crucially, Lane Cove based its decision on health (better indoor and outdoor air quality) and economic benefits (lower energy costs for residents). [30] This approach ensures the policy is consistent with state planning rules.
​

Recommendation for Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie City Council can do the same.


By updating its DCP to discourage or prevent gas connections in all new developments — on health and economic grounds — the council can protect residents, cut bills, and avoid locking in outdated gas infrastructure.


This is a low‑cost, high‑impact action the council can take right now. Every new home built today will be part of our community for decades. Let’s make sure those homes are cleaner, healthier and more affordable for the people who live in them.

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Asthma. Canberra, ACT: ABS. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/asthma/latest-release 
  2. Asthma Australia. (n.d.). Asthma Basic Facts. Retrieved 26/06/2026. https://asthma.org.au/resources/
  3. AIHW. (2024). Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024. Interactive data on disease burden. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/australian-burden-of-disease-study-2024/contents/interactive-data-on-disease-burden  
  4. World Health Organisation. (2026). Asthma. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma 
  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Australia’s children. Cat. no. CWS 69. Canberra: AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/australias-children/contents/health/asthma-prevalence-children 
  6. AIHW. (2024). Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 [Internet, cited 2025 Nov 25]. www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/australian-burden-of-disease-study-2024  
  7. ABS. (2024). National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2022-23. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-survey/2022-23 
  8. Ewald, B., Knibbs, L., & Marks, G. (2021). Opportunity to reduce paediatric asthma in New South Wales through nitrogen dioxide control. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 45(4), 400–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13111 
  9. Ewald, B., Crisp, G., & Carey, M. (2022). Health risks from indoor gas appliances. Australian Journal of General Practice, 51(12), 935–938. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-08-22-6535 
  10.  Kashtan, Y. S., Nicholson, M., Finnegan, C., Ouyang, Z., Lebel, E. D., Michanowicz, D. R., Shonkoff, S. B. C., & Jackson, R. B. (2023). Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(26), 9653–9663. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c09289
  11. Lee, Julia. X., & Gaffin, J. M. (2026). Recent Evidence on Indoor Air Pollutants and Pediatric Asthma Morbidity. Pediatric Pulmonology, 61(2), e71483. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.71483 
  12. Mata, T. M., Felgueiras, F., Martins, A. A., Monteiro, H., Ferraz, M. P., Oliveira, G. M., Gabriel, M. F., & Silva, G. V. (2022). Indoor Air Quality in Elderly Centers: Pollutants Emission and Health Effects. Environments (Basel, Switzerland), 9(7), 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9070086 
  13. ​Knibbs, L. D., Woldeyohannes, S., Marks, G. B., & Cowie, C. T. (2018). Damp housing, gas stoves, and the burden of childhood asthma in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 208(7), 299–302. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00469 
  14. Doctors for the Environment. (2022). Asthma and indoor gas appliances.  Retrieved 10 June 2026, from  https://www.dea.org.au/asthma_and_indoor_gas_appliances_fact_sheet 
  15. Knibbs, L. D., Cortés de Waterman, A. M., Toelle, B. G., Guo, Y., Denison, L., Jalaludin, B., Marks, G. B., & Williams, G. M. (2018). The Australian Child Health and Air Pollution Study (ACHAPS): A national population-based cross-sectional study of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, asthma, and lung function. Environment International, 120, 394–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.025 
  16.  Lee, Julia. X., & Gaffin, J. M. (2026). Recent Evidence on Indoor Air Pollutants and Pediatric Asthma Morbidity. Pediatric Pulmonology, 61(2), e71483. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.71483 ​
  17. ​350 Australia. (2024). Electrifying new residential and commercial buildings in NSW – cost and emissions impact assessment https://350.org.au/electrify-your-council-resources/  
  18. REMPLAN. (2025). Lake Macquarie Dwellings https://app.remplan.com.au/lake-macquarie/housing/dwellings/tenure-ownership 
  19. Lake Macquarie City. (2026). Draft Housing Strategy.  Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://shape.lakemac.com.au/housingstrategy 
  20. AER. (2026). AER - Gas quarterly disconnection reporting - 27 May 2026. https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/reports/performance/gas-quarterly-disconnection-reporting 
  21. ABS. (2026). Building Activity, Australia.  December 2025. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/building-activity-australia/latest-release 
  22. SwitchedOn. (2024). More local councils move to ban new gas connections.  Retrieved 10 June 2026, from  https://switchedon.reneweconomy.com.au/content/more-local-councils-move-to-ban-new-gas-connections-in-homes-and-businesses 
  23. AEMC. (2025). AEMC makes changes to gas connection charges to support transition to net zero. https://www.aemc.gov.au/news-centre/media-releases/aemc-makes-changes-gas-connection-charges-support-transition-net-zero 
  24. Jemena. (n.d.) Gas Connection Cost Estimator. Retrieved 27 June 2026, from https://canigetgas.jemena.com.au/ 
  25. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2026). Make the switch to electric. Learn about electrification and get started with our step-by-step guide. NSW Climate and Energy Action. Retrieved 11 June 2026, from https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/upgrades/switch-electric 
  26. 350 Australia (2024). Electric Savings. The case for NSW councils to reduce emissions and energy bills through electrification. https://350.org.au/files/2024/06/2024_350_ElectricSavingsReport_v3.0_WEB.pdf  
  27. Lake Macquarie City Council. (2026). Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/Development/Planning-controls-and-development-guidelines/Local-Planning-Controls/Lake-Macquarie-Development-Control-Plan  
  28. 350 Australia. (n.d.), Detailed policy guide to all-electric, gas-free new homes and businesses. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://350.org.au/detailed-policy-guide-to-all-electric-gas-free-new-homes-and-businesses/ 
  29. Environmental Defenders Office. (2023) ‘350 Australia ‘Electrify your Council’-Sustainable Buildings SEPP Guidance Note’, 27 July 2023, Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://350.org.au/files/2023/08/Summary-Legal-Advice_Environmental-Defenders-Office_DCPs-1.pdf  
  30. Lane Cove Council, Lave Cove Development Control Plan, Part S Environmental Sustainability, pp4-5, adopted 21 September 2023, accessed 4 October 2023 via Council Agenda item 6, p.25, Attachment 22, NEW Part S - Environmental Sustainability, via https://lanecove.infocouncil.biz/Open/2023/09/CNL_21092023_AGN_AT.PDF 
]]><![CDATA[Lake Macquarie City Draft Housing Strategy Submission]]>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:28:59 GMThttps://www.cleanas.org.au/news/lake-macquarie-city-draft-housing-strategy-submission​Lake Macquarie City Draft Housing Strategy Submission

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To whom it may concern

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to the Lake Macquarie City Draft Housing Strategy (Strategy) and taking the time to consider our submission.

Executive Summary

CLEANaS supports the overall direction of the Draft Housing Strategy but identifies several areas where the Strategy needs to be strengthened to meet Lake Macquarie’s housing, sustainability and emissions reduction goals.

Lake Macquarie’s emissions have stalled, with only a 0.2% per‑capita reduction in 2023/24, and housing and transport remain major contributors. Because planning decisions strongly influence energy use, transport patterns and long‑term emissions, the Housing Strategy is a key tool for helping the city meet its climate commitments.

The Strategy includes positive steps—such as walkability, tree canopy, avoiding development in sensitive areas and improving liveability—but it lacks clear commitments to sustainable, resilient, all‑electric housing. CLEANaS recommends strengthening the DCP to support higher BASIX standards, EV‑ready and solar‑ready design, passive cooling, green infrastructure, water‑sensitive urban design and discouraging new gas connections.

CLEANaS supports Transit‑Oriented Development and the Low and Mid‑Rise Housing Policy, but raises concerns about the very low 2% affordable housing contribution in TOD areas. 
Affordable housing is a major gap. While Lake Macquarie has more social housing than the NSW average, much of it is ageing stock from the 1960s–70s and no longer meets community needs. The Strategy proposes no local affordable housing contribution scheme, no inclusionary zoning and no targets. CLEANaS recommends:
  • setting clear affordable housing targets and publicly reporting progress
  • requiring 30% affordable and social housing on government‑owned land
  • identifying suitable Council‑owned infill sites and tendering them to community housing providers

Finally, the Strategy needs a much stronger implementation framework. Many good ideas in supporting studies are not translated into actions, and the performance measures are too general to track progress meaningfully.
​
Overall, CLEANaS urges Council to strengthen the Strategy so it delivers sustainable, resilient neighbourhoods and ensures affordable housing is a core outcome for the community.

The Clean Energy Association of Newcastle and Surrounds (CLEANaS) supports the overall strategy. However, we wish to raise concerns and provide feedback on the strategy.

CLEANaS is a not-for-profit association formed in 2012 by a group of locals passionate about clean energy. CLEANaS is dedicated to driving the uptake of clean energy so that our region can transition from its current dependency on fossil fuels to a more competitive and sustainable local economy. We achieve this by working with our partners to demonstrate profitable community-led and community-owned clean energy projects; raise the profile of clean energy in the local economy through education and awareness raising; and by improving access to financing mechanisms and affordable technologies so that investment and activity grow. Our initiatives must deliver a win-win for local community investors, local enterprise and, of course, our environment.[1]

The Need for Rapid Emissions Reduction
The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere keeps on going up and up from the burning of fossil fuels – principally coal, oil and gas.  Australia has set a legislated target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To help drive the transition to net zero, the Australian Government has set a target to reduce emissions to 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035.[2]

The Role of Local Councils in Driving Net Zero
Councils are uniquely positioned to help the drive towards net zero emissions through their connection to local communities, and their existing mandate to provide support and infrastructure to residents and businesses. Councils can drive new sustainable development through model Development Control Plans, and support community initiatives towards reducing emissions. Councils are well-placed to coordinate efforts between residents, businesses, and workers within their LGA to move towards reducing emissions.[3]

Lake Macquarie’s Current Emissions Profile
Lake Macquarie City’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2027 details the planning management action to

"Investigate and implement energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures, and renewable energy opportunities, across the City for public, commercial and residential Developments.”

Furthermore, it states that Lake Macquarie City has a 2027 target of a

“57% reduction in City-wide per capita greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 baseline”. [4]

In the baseline year, city-wide total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated to be 4,869,761 t CO2-e and a city population of 194,997 (25.0 t CO2-e per capita)[5]. By 2023/24, total GHG emissions had reduced to an estimated 3,592,200 t CO2-e with a population that had grown to 218,965 (16.4 t CO2-e per capita), a per capita reduction of only 34.3% from the baseline. It is expected that the 57% target by 2027 will not be reached.  

Lake Macquarie City’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets Policy specifies a 3% per annum reduction in greenhouse gases from the City’s emissions (measured on a per capita basis).[6] However, Greenhouse gas emissions in the Lake Macquarie LGA have flatlined over the past two years, with only an approximate 0.2% per capita reduction in 2023/24. [7]

Total emissions actually increased slightly by 0.5% in 2023/24, with emission levels across most sectors remaining static.  Emissions from the housing sector were also static over this period with a 0.5% increase in 2023/24.  Approximately 11% of emissions in the Lake Macquarie LGA are attributed to the housing sector.  However, emissions from home vehicle use are not included in this estimate.  If you include vehicle emissions it dramatically changes the mix of emissions for households.  Looking at average Australian household emissions, vehicles have the largest proportion of household emissions at 38% followed by electricity at 32%.[8] Vehicle use (excluding freight and public transport) currently represents approximately 10% of emissions in Lake Macquarie LGA and emission levels remain static.

Housing planning is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a local government level. By shaping the types of homes we build and their locations, we can create more sustainable neighbourhoods, boost the environmental performance of housing, and ensure our homes stay comfortable and resilient as the climate shifts.

Housing Design - Sustainability
The strategy recognises community support for environmentally conscious development:

“Residents want environmentally conscious development that preserves green spaces and promotes sustainable living.”[9]

We acknowledge the strategy’s inclusion of urban-planning sustainability measures such as:  
  • Urban heat mitigation through tree canopy and green space:

“Higher‑density neighbourhoods are designed to reduce urban heat and improve comfort, resilience and liveability.”

  • Avoiding development in high ecological value areas

“Urban expansion into high value ecological and environmental land is avoided.”

  • Liveability improvements (public spaces, walkability, cooling, amenity). 

However, the strategy needs to seek to improve housing resilience and sustainability.  The strategy should be amended to include the objectives that Housing promotes resilience and meets high-sustainability performance targets.

Planning for Housing Resilience
Good design helps households make everyday choices that lower energy use and emissions. It supports things like buying efficient appliances, using smart tech, switching to EVs, choosing active transport, and reducing waste through better recycling and on‑site composting.

Under the priority to “Prioritise liveability in a changing city” the strategy should be amended to include sustainable and resilient design. It is essential that we build homes that use less energy and create neighbourhoods that can better handle the challenges of a changing climate.  In addition to the impact on the environment, improving resilience has implications for the quality of life for residents.

Increasing resilience of housing is a recent focus of both state and federal governments.  Changes in state and federal policies have contributed to improved efficiency within new homes, resulting in lower energy use and reduced energy bills for residents. Council should advocate for higher BASIX standards in new developments, such as for medium density housing. It’s a simple way to cut emissions, save water and strengthen our community’s resilience to climate change.

Accompanying these changes, the Council can drive new sustainable development through Development Control Plans (DCP) and help encourage more sustainable living by supporting things like energy efficiency standards and guidelines, rooftop solar and storage battery-ready design, EV‑ready infrastructure, sustainable design including reverse cycle air conditioning and heat pumps, cool building materials, green infrastructure and embedding passive design principles to keep neighbourhoods cooler. We can also promote the use of locally sourced sustainable building materials, the use and re-use of recycled materials, reduce embodied energy, and help encourage the use of new, more efficient construction methods and equipment. We can make space for canopy trees and landscaping, improve the quality and reduce the quantity of stormwater by incorporating water sensitive urban design, such as provision of permeable surfaces and use of rainwater for toilets, and support gas‑free, all‑electric homes. We can also provide support for efficient and active modes of transport, for example by providing space for bicycle storage and shared vehicles and the ability to charge electric vehicles [10]. Sustainable design doesn’t just improve environmental performance, it also lowers energy bills and creates healthier, more comfortable homes.

Importantly, the strategy needs to commit the Council to reviewing its DCP provisions to ensure these meet best practice.

Case Study: Support for gas‑free, all‑electric homes
This would be achieved by Lake Macquarie City amending its planning rules (DCP) to discourage gas connections and gas appliances in all new developments for health, and economic reasons.[11]

All‑electric buildings avoid unnecessary gas infrastructure, reduce indoor air pollution, and deliver lower running costs:
  • New developments are gas‑free by default.
  • Community health improves through reduced exposure to NO₂ and other pollutants.
  • Households and businesses save money — the NSW Government estimates $2,771 per year in savings, or $4,000 with solar.
  • The city’s growth aligns with its climate strategy and net‑zero trajectory.

For larger developments, using a competitive design process for big developments is a great way to lift the quality of urban design and ensure residents benefit from better amenity and sustainability.

Research makes it clear that we need stronger sustainability standards for urban development, and better policy tools to support sustainable housing at the neighbourhood scale. It also recommends shifting to performance‑based expectations, supported by clear objectives and targets, so we can measure what’s working and compare outcomes across different projects. [12]

Transit Oriented Development and Low and Mid‑Rise Housing Policy
Transport oriented development (TOD) is all about creating neighbourhoods where people can easily walk to public transport. When more homes and services are built around transport hubs, it becomes easier to choose the bus, train, walking or cycling over driving. That means fewer emissions and better transport options for everyone. Research also tells us that denser cities generally produce fewer housing‑related emissions, both in construction and day‑to‑day living. [13]

Residents need proximity to jobs and schools to reduce commuting costs. Developers seek these locations because proximity to transit often unlocks higher density zoning bonuses and lowers mandatory parking requirements, saving construction costs. Access to transport and services benefits both.

NSW Government planning reforms for Transport Oriented Development will increase the capacity for more mid-rise housing and mixed-use development within 400 metres of railway stations over the next 15 years delivering much needed housing around transport hubs.  This in turn will increase the viability of public transport to these locations and provide greater incentive for improved services.

Within the Lake Macquarie LGA, this includes the locations of Cardiff,  Booragul, Teralba and Morisset stations. Cockle-Creek was originally included but now states that it is an “Alternative scheme under assessment”.  [14]

What will the alternative scheme for Cockle-Creek entail (assuming that it is council led)?  The Hunter Regional Plan states that over the next 20 years, the area east of Cockle Creek is set to grow, with around 10,000 new residents, more than 4,000 new homes and space for about 6,000 new jobs. Planning for this growth will focus on getting the right mix of housing densities, supporting new types of employment, improving open spaces and local centres, and making sure the right state and local infrastructure is in place to support a thriving community. [15]

 
The NSW Government will establish inclusionary zoning around these TOD locations to deliver affordable housing close to jobs, recreation, amenities, and services.   We welcome these reforms as TODs will decrease the need for cars and increase patronage of public transport and active transport use which will lead to better health outcomes and reduced GHG emissions. 

However, a paltry mandatory minimum 2% affordable housing contribution will apply to all new developments equalling 2000 square metres total gross floor area in these areas.  This is in no way sufficient in addressing the housing crisis affecting low-income residents in our community.  Furthermore, it is unclear how this applies to in-fill developments within these areas where the 2% affordable housing contribution also applies.

The Strategy says that mandatory affordable housing contributions in TOD areas make projects less feasible.  Contributions don’t really make a project unworkable; they mainly reduce how much a developer can pay for the land. Developers usually start with what they think the finished homes will sell for, then subtract all their costs and profit. What’s left is what they think the land is worth.  Feasibility only becomes an issue if the land price ends up higher than what developers think it’s worth.
All land to be developed for housing at the Transport Hubs must prioritise the delivery of a public benefit, not the delivery of profit. 

Beyond the TOD areas, the Low and Mid‑Rise Housing Policy also kicks in within 800 metres of major town centres and transport hubs in Lake Macquarie — including Morisset, Belmont, Jewells, Boolaroo, Cardiff and Charlestown. We’re not sure why Toronto missed out, because it seems to meet the same criteria.

This change will support more housing diversity and help meet the strong demand for medium‑density homes. The benefits are similar to TODs: more homes close to shops, services and transport, and more walkable, sustainable neighbourhoods.

The strategy mentions that this policy will boost affordable housing through mandatory contributions. It would be useful to confirm whether this refers to the 10–15% affordable housing allocation required for in‑fill developments in these designated areas.

Affordable housing
The Lake Macquarie LGA does have more social housing than the NSW average, but much of it is ageing stock from the 1960s and 70s. These older cottages no longer suit the number of people needing housing or the different needs of low‑income households. [16]

The strategy recognises the need for more affordable housing and includes:
  • A priority to “Facilitate affordable housing” (Priority 3).
  • Support for redevelopment of existing social housing stock:

“There is an opportunity to improve affordability outcomes by renewing and redeveloping about 3,100 social housing dwellings owned by Homes NSW.”

  • Acknowledgement of low social housing supply (4.2% of stock) and long wait times.
  • Recognition that mandatory affordable housing contributions apply only in State‑led TOD areas (2% of floor area).

However: the strategy has no strong social or affordable housing requirements.  For example the strategy does not propose any new local affordable housing contribution scheme or inclusionary zoning.  Other best practices in this area include council‑led delivery or partnerships and land‑use incentives tied to affordable housing outcomes.

The Council can play a direct role by identifying any suitable Council‑owned infill sites that could be used for new social and affordable housing, and then move quickly to tender these sites for development by a community housing provider. This would help deliver the affordable rental homes that low‑income households urgently need. 

It is noted that the strategy supports smaller, diverse housing types:

“Smaller dwellings typically have lower construction and purchase costs… an important component of improving housing affordability.”

However, this is a supply‑side affordability measure, not a social housing policy.

We welcome residential development where it delivers affordable and secure housing to the community. 
 
However, strategic planning must consider the actual or most likely amount and mix of affordable and social housing to be in a planning precinct.  For example, Housing Minister Rose Jackson committed to the delivery of 30% affordable and social housing on state-government owned land as part of the rezoning at Hunter Park.  Any government‑owned land that’s developed should deliver a minimum of 30% social and affordable housing, guaranteed permanently.

Furthermore, the Strategy makes no mention of requirements for affordable housing or any target for Affordable Housing. The City of Newcastle Housing Policy includes an overall affordable housing target of 15% to work towards, across the city that is monitored using benchmarks for affordable housing, housing diversity and homelessness. The City of Sydney has a target 7.5% of housing will be affordable rental housing and 7.5% will be social housing. [17]  Council should set ambitious but realistic timeframes for delivering its affordable housing targets, and make sure progress is regularly monitored and publicly reported.

In fact, with respect to housing affordability the strategy explicitly states:

“Local government is not equipped to take on that responsibility.”

This is a policy position, but it leaves Lake Macquarie behind best‑practice councils that do use planning powers to secure affordable housing.
​
To be effective, the Strategy needs a much clearer roadmap for how everything will be delivered. This includes outlining specific actions, who will lead them, who the partners are, when things will happen and how progress will be measured and reported. In particular, the performance measures are very broad, which makes it difficult to understand how success will be tracked over time.
Thank you for considering our submission,
Sincerely,

Alec Roberts
CLEANaS Chair on behalf of CLEANaS
​

References

  1.  http://www.cleanas.org.au/
  2. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2025). Net Zero. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/net-zero
  3. Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2020),  Net Zero Emissions Guidance for NSW Councils. Helping councils plan for a low emissions future. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-08/2020_05_NSW_NetZero_EmissionsGuidance.pdf 
  4. Lake Macquarie City Council. (2020) Together Lake Mac, Our Plan for a Sustainable City, Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2027. Retrieved 15 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/hptrim/project-management-environmental-management-projects-pm180003-2018-review-environmental-sustainability-policy-and-2014-2023-environmental-sustainability-action-plan/pm180003-public-exhibition-environmental-sustainability-strategy-and-action-plan-2020-2027/final-low-resolution-environmental-sustainability-strategy-and-action-plan-2020-2027-ratified-at-22-june-2020-council-meeting.pdf 
  5. Lake Macquarie City Council. (2012) Lake Macquarie Energy Resilience Strategic Plan. Retrieved 15 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/hptrim/environmental-management-programs-climate-change-energy-resilience-plan/lake-macquarie-energy-resilience-strategic-plan-final-july-2012.pdf 
  6. Lake Macquarie City. (2020). Council Policy. Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets. 30 November 2020. Version 4.  Retrieved 15 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/v/3/hptrim/environmental-management-policy-protection-of-the-environment-policies-pep-greenhouse-gas-emission-reduction-targets/greenhouse-gas-emission-reduction-targets-council-policy-version-4.pdf 
  7. Ironbark Sustainability and Beyond Zero Emissions. (2026). 2025 Snapshot emissions profile – Ironbark Sustainability and Beyond Zero Emissions. Snapshot. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://snapshotclimate.com.au/ 
  8. Griffith, S. (2022). The Big Switch: Australia’s electric future. Black Inc.
  9. Lake Macquarie City. (2026). Draft Housing Strategy. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://shape.lakemac.com.au/housingstrategy
  10. City of Darebin. (2025). Darebin Housing Strategy. https://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/planning-and-building/documents/darebin_housing_strategy_august_2025.pdf 
  11. Roberts, A. (2026, June 14). Gas-free new homes and businesses for Lake Mac. News. https://www.cleanas.org.au/news/gas-free-new-homes-and-businesses-for-lake-mac 
  12. Dühr, S., Berry, S. and Moore, T. (2023). Sustainable housing at a neighbourhood scale. From the AHURI Inquiry: Informing a strategy for circular economy housing in Australia. Final Report No. 396. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/396 
  13.  iMove. (2025). Low-carbon transit-oriented development precincts. https://imoveaustralia.com/project/low-carbon-transit-oriented-development-precincts/ 
  14. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. (2026). Transport Oriented Development. https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/transport-oriented-development-program/transport-oriented-development 
  15. NSW Department of Planning and Environment. (2022). Hunter Regional Plan 2041. https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/regional-plans/hunter-regional-plan-2041 
  16.  Pacific Link Housing. (2025). The State of Affordable Housing in Lake Macquarie 2025. https://www.pacificlink.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/State-of-Affordable-Housing-in-Lake-Macquarie-2025-WEB.pdf ​
  17. City of Sydney. (2020). Housing for All. City of Sydney Local Housing Strategy. https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/strategic-land-use-plans/local-housing-strategy ​
]]><![CDATA[Gas-free new homes and businesses for Lake Mac]]>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.cleanas.org.au/news/gas-free-new-homes-and-businesses-for-lake-macGas-free new homes and businesses for Lake Mac

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Problem, Platform, Solution ​


​1. Problem (World‑as‑it‑is)

Lake Macquarie’s greenhouse gas emissions are not falling fast enough to meet the city’s own targets. Despite some progress, emissions have flatlined, with only a 0.2% per‑capita reduction in 2023/24, far short of the required 3% per year. The document notes that “total emissions actually increased slightly by 0.5% in 2023/24” and that the city is unlikely to reach its 2027 target of a 57% per‑capita reduction.
Gas use is a key contributor:
  • Residential and commercial gas emissions have remained static, even though industrial gas use has declined.
  • Methane is a powerful, fast‑acting greenhouse gas — “responsible for roughly 30% of global warming” and “breaks down in the atmosphere in about a decade,” meaning reductions have immediate climate benefits.
New development is locking in decades of future gas demand, worsening emissions, household costs, and indoor air pollution.


2. Platform (World‑as‑it‑should‑be)

A Lake Macquarie where all new homes and businesses are built all‑electric, protecting health, lowering bills, and aligning with climate commitments.
The document frames this ideal future clearly:
  • “The easiest emissions to deal with are the ones we never create.”
  • Councils can “drive new sustainable development through model Development Control Plans.”
  • All‑electric buildings avoid unnecessary gas infrastructure, reduce indoor air pollution, and deliver lower running costs.
In this preferred future:
  • New developments are gas‑free by default.
  • Community health improves through reduced exposure to NO₂ and other pollutants.
  • Households and businesses save money — the NSW Government estimates $2,771 per year in savings, or $4,000 with solar.
  • The city’s growth aligns with its climate strategy and net‑zero trajectory.

3. Solution (What must be done)

The document proposes a clear, actionable solution:
Update Lake Macquarie’s Development Control Plan (DCP)Council should amend its DCP to discourage or prevent gas connections in all new developments on health and economic grounds.
The document states:
  • “NSW councils can require all‑electric, gas‑free new buildings via their planning schemes without waiting for state government approval.”
  • “DCPs… act as a discouragement on gas connections and appliances in new builds.”
  • Other councils — Newcastle, Lane Cove, Parramatta, Inner West, City of Sydney — have already done this.
The recommended action is explicit:
“Lake Macquarie City should amend its planning rules to discourage gas connections and gas appliances in all new developments for health, and economic reasons.”
This is framed as a low‑cost, high‑impact climate action that Council can take immediately.

Call to Action

​Lake Macquarie has a real opportunity right now to protect community health, cut energy bills, and prevent avoidable emissions — simply by ensuring new homes and businesses are built all‑electric from the start. The evidence is overwhelming: gas is a major driver of climate pollution, it worsens indoor air quality, and it’s more expensive than efficient electric alternatives. As the document below notes, “the best way to reduce community emissions is to avoid creating them in the first place” and banning gas in new developments is one of the simplest, lowest‑cost ways to do exactly that.
Lake Macquarie City Council can act immediately by updating its Development Control Plan to discourage new gas connections on health and economic grounds — just as other NSW councils have already done. This doesn’t require state approval. It only requires leadership.

Now is the moment for Lake Mac to step up.
Let’s call on councillors to:
  • Support amendments to the DCP that require all‑electric new developments
  • Prioritise community health by reducing exposure to indoor air pollutants from gas
  • Lower household and business energy costs by avoiding unnecessary gas infrastructure
  • Ensure the city’s growth aligns with its climate commitments and community expectations

Tell Lake Macquarie City Council: it’s time to go gas‑free for all new homes and businesses.
Every new development built today will shape our city for decades. Let’s make sure those decades are cleaner, healthier and more affordable for everyone.

Why Lake Macquarie Must Act Now to Deliver Gas‑Free, All‑Electric New Development ​

The Need for Rapid Emissions Reduction 
The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere keeps on going up and up from the burning of fossil fuels – principally coal, oil and gas.  Australia has set a legislated target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To help drive the transition to net zero, the Australian Government has set a target to reduce emissions to 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035.

The Role of Local Councils in Driving Net Zero 
Councils are uniquely positioned to help the drive towards net zero emissions through their connection to local communities, and their existing mandate to provide support and infrastructure to residents and businesses. Councils can drive new sustainable development through model Development Control Plans, and support community initiatives towards reducing emissions. Councils are well-placed to coordinate efforts between residents, businesses, and workers within their LGA to move towards reducing emissions.

Lake Macquarie’s Current Emissions Profile
Lake Macquarie City’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2027 details the planning management action to “Investigate and implement energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures, and renewable energy opportunities, across the City for public, commercial and residential Developments.” Furthermore, it states that Lake Macquarie City has a 2027 target of a “57% reduction in City-wide per capita greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 baseline”. 

In the baseline year, city-wide total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated to be 4,869,761 t CO2-e and a city population of 194,997 (25.0 t CO2-e per capita). By 2023/24, total GHG emissions had reduced to an estimated 3,592,200 t CO2-e with a population that had grown to 218,965 (16.4 t CO2-e per capita), a per capita reduction of only 34.3% from the baseline. It is expected that the 57% target by 2027 will not be reached.  

Lake Macquarie City’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets Policy specifies a 3% per annum reduction in greenhouse gases from the City’s emissions (measured on a per capita basis). However, Greenhouse gas emissions in the Lake Macquarie LGA have flatlined over the past two years, with only an approximate 0.2% per capita reduction in 2023/24. 

Total emissions actually increased slightly by 0.5% in 2023/24, with emission levels across most sectors remaining static.

Whereas methane (gas) use has been decreasing for Industrial uses in the Lake Macquarie LGA (28% decrease over the past 5 years, with a 18% decrease in 2023/2024), its use in Residential and Commercial sectors has remained relatively static. Figure 1 details gas emissions from 2021/22 to 2023/24 in the Residential, Commercial and Industrial sectors.

A bar chart titled “Lake Macquarie LGA Gas Emissions” comparing residential, commercial and industrial gas emissions across the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years. Residential (blue) and commercial (red) emissions remain relatively stable at low levels, while industrial emissions (yellow) are much higher but show a steady decline over the three years. The vertical axis ranges from 0 to 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Figure 1. Lake Macquarie LGA Gas Emissions (Ironbark Sustainability and Beyond Zero Emissions, 2026)
Why Reducing Gas Use in New Developments Matters
Methane packs a serious punch when it comes to heating the planet — it’s responsible for roughly 30% of global warming, and over a 100‑year period it traps about 28 times more heat than carbon dioxide.  But here’s the part that really changes the game: methane doesn’t stick around for long. It breaks down in the atmosphere in about a decade.

That means when we stop releasing methane, its warming effect drops off quickly. The impact is almost immediate.

Because methane (gas) contributes so much and acts so fast, reducing it is one of the most powerful things we can do to slow warming in the near term. In terms of both speed and scale, nothing else comes close.

The easiest emissions to deal with are the ones we never create. If we can stop certain sources of pollution without causing any real downsides, that’s a win — and gas in new homes and businesses is a perfect example.

By choosing all‑electric from the start, we avoid locking in decades of unnecessary gas use. It’s a simple, low‑cost way to cut future emissions before they even happen, and it doesn’t require households or businesses to sacrifice comfort or performance.

How Councils Can Ban Gas in New Developments 
A first step in decreasing gas use in the Residential and Commercial sectors is through the banning of gas from new developments.

All NSW councils have Development Control Plans (DCPs) which give them the legislative power to influence future development in their local government area.

350 Australia identified that councils in NSW have the power to ban gas from new developments via their planning systems. NSW councils can require all-electric, gas-free new buildings via their planning schemes without waiting for state government approval.

NSW councils can require new developments be all-electric and gas-free by changing their Development Control Plans (DCPs). DCPs are planning instruments that guide development outcomes and operate like a performance assessment, in that DCPs incorporate a range of objectives that a development should satisfy. While it’s true that not every provision within a DCP is in itself mandatory, including provisions that ban new gas connections, no individual provision of a performance assessment is mandatory.

DCPs can, and are, used by planning authorities like local councils, to influence development outcomes. DCPs that include clear and unambiguous provisions, like bans on new gas connections, act as a discouragement on gas connections and appliances in new builds, and make it much harder for developers to obtain planning approval for development applications if they are assessed as not complying with the broad and specific objectives of a DCP. 

Numerous councils have already included all-electric provisions within DCPs to reduce the number of new gas connections in new developments, including City of Newcastle, Lane Cove Council, Parramatta Council, Waverley Council, Inner West, City of Sydney, and North Sydney Council from July 1st).

Furthermore, DCPs do not require state government approval to be implemented - they just need a majority vote on council.

Navigating NSW Planning Restrictions 
It should be noted that under the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), councils are prevented from banning new gas connections if the purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nevertheless, the SEPP doesn’t stop councils from finding other reasons to ban new connections and electrify buildings such as councils from banning gas from new development based on health or economic grounds.

The other state legislative requirement that councils must consider as part of the development approvals process is the BASIX sustainability rating tool. NSW’s state planning policy requires that new developments be assessed against BASIX (Building Sustainability Index), which requires new builds to reach certain sustainability benchmarks around thermal performance, energy and water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, BASIX is effectively fuel agnostic, and neither bans or requires that new developments be connected to gas.

Health Impacts of Indoor Gas Use
Councils could reference the overwhelming peer-reviewed scientific evidence demonstrating the health risks associated with indoor gas use in their health justifications.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is released by use of gas for cooking and heating and is a potent respiratory irritant which can directly cause airway constriction and it can also cause sensitisation to allergens. In population studies it is associated with both the development of asthma and with asthma attacks. For a child with current asthma who lives in a home with a gas stove, 30% of their risk of asthma is from the stove. Australian researchers have estimated that across the community 12% of childhood asthma is attributable to the use of gas cooking stoves. It has also been found to increase the chance of being allergic to house dust mites in school children.

Economic Benefits of All‑Electric Buildings
Councils can also restrict new gas connections on the grounds that gas is more expensive than efficient electric alternatives. Operational cost savings to developers and occupants through the avoidance of gas installation, connection and ongoing connection and disconnection charges provide a means of justifying all electric buildings.

Lane Cove Council calculated the total savings from not connecting gas to an apartment is in the order of $2,000 per apartment. The NSW Government noted that Electric appliances generally cost less to run and maintain than gas and NSW houses and small businesses would save approximately $2,771 per year ($4000 with solar) and apartments $2,400 per year by electrifying their homes and businesses.

Case Study: Lane Cove Council’s All‑Electric DCP 
An example is shown below for Lane Cove Council implementation of gas bans via DCP:

At its 21 September 2023 Council meeting, Lave Cove passed amendments to its Development Control Plan to include new rules that require new development be all-electric with no gas. It states: 
​
“All new developments are to use only electricity for all energy requirements associated with normal operations. Where outdoor barbeques require gas then only bottled gas may be used.” 

The above rules apply to development applications above $250,000 in value to ensure that minor applications are exempt. There is also an exemption for building uses that cannot electrify, which allows those uses to use fossil fuels for their operations. This will presumably apply to some industrial processes which cannot be electrified. The objectives of the above clause are to improve indoor and outdoor air quality (health) and to reduce energy costs to occupants (economic). 

The key to drafting successful gas bans via DCP based on the Lane Cove model is the inclusion of the health and economic rationales which ensures that the anti-gas provisions of DCPs are compliant with the Sustainable Building SEPP and BASIX.

Growth in Lake Macquarie and the Risk of Rising Gas Use
Lake Macquarie’s population is growing steadily, adding about 2,143 people each year, or approximately 860 new houses each year.  Without changes to planning laws this will lead to increased gas use within the LGA and its commensurate impact on health, economy and the environment of Lake Mac.

Why Gas‑Free New Builds Are a Low‑Cost Climate Solution
The best way to reduce community emissions is to avoid creating them in the first place. This means identifying activities that create emissions that could be stopped with no or minimal adverse impacts. Banning gas for new builds fits this criteria.

Changes to planning laws provide a major opportunity for councils to reduce their community emissions at little to no cost.

Recommendation: Update Lake Macquarie’s DCP
Lake Macquarie City should amend its planning rules to discourage gas connections and gas appliances in all new developments for health, and economic reasons.

References
​
350 Australia. (n.d.), Detailed policy guide to all-electric, gas-free new homes and businesses. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://350.org.au/detailed-policy-guide-to-all-electric-gas-free-new-homes-and-businesses/ 

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2025). Net Zero. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/net-zero 

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2026). Make the switch to electric. Learn about electrification and get started with our step-by-step guide. NSW Climate and Energy Action. Retrieved 11 June 2026, from https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/upgrades/switch-electric 

Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2020),  Net Zero Emissions Guidance for NSW Councils. Helping councils plan for a low emissions future. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-08/2020_05_NSW_NetZero_EmissionsGuidance.pdf 

Doctors for the Environment. (2022). Asthma and indoor gas appliances.  Retrieved 10 June 2026, from  https://www.dea.org.au/asthma_and_indoor_gas_appliances_fact_sheet 

Environmental Defenders Office. (2023) ‘350 Australia ‘Electrify your Council’-Sustainable Buildings SEPP Guidance Note’, 27 July 2023, Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://350.org.au/files/2023/08/Summary-Legal-Advice_Environmental-Defenders-Office_DCPs-1.pdf 

Ironbark Sustainability and Beyond Zero Emissions. (2026). 2025 Snapshot emissions profile – Ironbark Sustainability and Beyond Zero Emissions. Snapshot. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://snapshotclimate.com.au/ 

Lake Macquarie City. (2020). Council Policy. Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets. 30 November 2020. Version 4.  Retrieved 15 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/v/3/hptrim/environmental-management-policy-protection-of-the-environment-policies-pep-greenhouse-gas-emission-reduction-targets/greenhouse-gas-emission-reduction-targets-council-policy-version-4.pdf 

Lake Macquarie City. (2026). Draft Housing Strategy.  Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://shape.lakemac.com.au/housingstrategy 

Lake Macquarie City Council. (2012) Lake Macquarie Energy Resilience Strategic Plan. Retrieved 15 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/hptrim/environmental-management-programs-climate-change-energy-resilience-plan/lake-macquarie-energy-resilience-strategic-plan-final-july-2012.pdf 

Lake Macquarie City Council. (2020) Together Lake Mac, Our Plan for a Sustainable City, Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2027. Retrieved 15 June 2026, from https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/hptrim/project-management-environmental-management-projects-pm180003-2018-review-environmental-sustainability-policy-and-2014-2023-environmental-sustainability-action-plan/pm180003-public-exhibition-environmental-sustainability-strategy-and-action-plan-2020-2027/final-low-resolution-environmental-sustainability-strategy-and-action-plan-2020-2027-ratified-at-22-june-2020-council-meeting.pdf 


NSW EPA. (2015). Methane. Retrieved 14 June 2026, from https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2564-methane-fact-sheet.pdf ​

Simon Clark. (2026, 13/06). The easiest climate change win ever. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=BWHfkkHmMJI 

SwitchedOn. (2024). More local councils move to ban new gas connections.  Retrieved 10 June 2026, from  https://switchedon.reneweconomy.com.au/content/more-local-councils-move-to-ban-new-gas-connections-in-homes-and-businesses 
]]><![CDATA[Saving Energy Costs - Solar Battery Systems]]>Fri, 30 May 2025 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.cleanas.org.au/news/saving-energy-costs-solar-battery-systemsSaving Energy Costs - Solar Battery Systems
Presentation by Alec Roberts for Greater Charlestown Sustainable Neighbourhood Group
​Saturday 31 May 2025.

Please note that the NSW Household energy saving upgrades – Battery Discount (a.k.a. NSW Solar Battery Rebate) (Slide 25 and 26) has been cancelled.  This is also known as PDRS (Peak Demand Reduction Scheme) .  The "Sign your battery up to a Virtual Power Plant" component is still available.
In particular, please note that payback periods including PDRS in the presentation (Slide 30) are no longer applicable.

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