Gas Substitution Roadmap - Upgrade
Letters Jacinta Allan (Premier), Lily D'ambrosio (Environment, Climate and Energy), Sonya Kilkenny (Planning), Nina Taylor (MLA Albert Park )
Dear XXXX
Re: Concerns about Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap Update
We write on behalf of the Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group, a non-profit community organisation with over 1,000 subscribers based in Melbourne’s Bayside area. We work to reduce the impact of climate change and promote sustainability. Amongst us are professionals, business owners, parents, teachers, students and academics who are active in the community and share a vision of ‘A Safe Climate for All’.
The work of the Victorian government in achieving a policy of "no new fossil gas connections" has been impressive. It has moved through being a compulsory connection requirement, to "compulsory" being ignored (e.g. development of the former CSIRO site in Highett), to no longer being compulsory and finally to not being allowed (including the closing of loopholes). This has been achieved without the level of blowback that might have been expected from the state opposition and vested interest groups.
However the "Gas Substitution Roadmap (GSR) - Update" published in December, 2023, has been disappointing for those of us advocating for the retirement of the gas distribution network in Victoria.
Specifically, it appears to lack a timeline and a sufficiently detailed management plan.
Timeline:
· All major political parties have a net zero emissions target by 2050, with the Victorian ALP being by 2045 (although we note that the term ‘’net’’ is not strictly meaningful here as the millions of tonnes of emissions associated with burning of gas in Victoria cannot be offset). However, the GSR - Update only has a timeline covering the years 2024 to 2028 inclusive, that shows very little reduction from the current 200 PJ/year. (Page 17 GSR - Update)
· The GSR included a timeline showing a gas consumption reduction from 200 to 150 PJ/year over that same period. We note that there were three similar timelines in the document’s Appendix. (Page 59 GSR)
· A credible timeline on gas consumption compatible with a "net zero emissions target" by 2045 is required for the updated GSR.
Management Plan:
· The retirement and decommissioning of the Victorian gas network is a massive major project and, of course, will require a detailed management plan. The plan for this is not included in the GSR – Update, and while the recently formed SEC has a role in the GSR - Update, that role is described as a resource for households and skills training centre rather than the manager of the transition.
· We have seen a good example of how this can be done well with the government’s Level Crossing Removal Project.
As such, we respectfully urge you to build on this great initiative by articulating a clear, realistic and practical timeline together with a comprehensive management plan to ensure the successful fast track of this critical project.
Thank you for your consideration of the above, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Kylie McIntosh David Williams
Dr Kylie McIntosh David Williams
President Vice President
Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group
PO Box 223
Sandringham VIC 3191
T: 0413 605377