Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to overturn the former Labor Government’s ban on hot water heaters.
Late last year Energy Minister Chris Hartcher announced the reversal of Labor’s decision to phase out electric hot water systems, meaning households will no longer be forced into buying expensive new systems.
“More than 3,500 customers in the local area do not have the option of gas hot water from a reticulated system, making this announcement a very significant one for many households struggling with rising costs,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Approximately two thirds of households in NSW do not have the option of gas hot water from a reticulated system, meaning consumers without gas options would be forced to invest thousands of dollars on alternatives including heat pumps or solar heating.
“This was an unpopular decision made by the former Labor Government and the Minister’s announcement shows that we remain committed to doing everything we can to assist low income households and facilitating the delivery of essential services at the lowest cost to all consumers.”
The previous Labor Government signed up to the Federal Government policy of banning the installation of electric hot water heaters in new houses in December 2010.
Stage two of the phase out, which involved banning electric systems in existing houses, was intended to come into force last year.
“It is unreasonable for Labor to expect households to bear the costs of expensive green programs and be slugged with the bill when being forced to replace existing hot water units with new systems,” Mr Hartcher said.
“Only seven per cent of NSW households have solar heating and the majority don’t have access to reticulated gas. Enforcing Labor’s ban where consumers would have to invest around $4000 on alternatives would be inequitable and unfair,” Mr Hartcher said.
“The NSW Government will continue working hard to ease the energy cost burden on low income households and families," he concluded.
