“Similar to passive smoking”: Doctors and scientists urge Willoughby Council to ban gas in new homes

Concerns from experts and residents about the health impacts of using gas inside the home and in commercial kitchens dominated last week’s public forum at Willoughby City Council chambers, where an upcoming motion to ban gas as an indoor energy source was up for discussion.

Such a ban would be implemented via an amendment to the council’s Development Control Plan (DCP). A DCP provides detailed planning and design guidelines to assist developers in preparing, and council staff in approving or rejecting, development applications within a specific area.

Growing evidence

Councillor John Moratelli’s motion, which will be put to council on April 28th, seeks to mandate new builds to be all-electric. Speakers at the forum focused on what they said was the growing health evidence linking gas appliances with poor indoor air quality and adverse health outcomes.

“I think it’s an important issue in respect to the environment, cost of living, and public health,” the councillor told the North Shore Lorikeet.

“This is an area where council does have a degree of influence in terms of changing behaviours, protecting renters, children and future property owners. Given the benefits and the evidence, council has a responsibility here.”

Vulnerable groups at risk

Dr Lai H. Foong, an emergency physician who is also a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), said indoor air quality is not monitored in Australia, despite its known impact on vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women and those with asthma.

She said gas cooktops not only emit pollutants but also generate indoor heat, compounding health risks during extreme weather.

Dr Alison Blazey, an addiction specialist and member of DEA, said most major developments in health and lifespan in developed countries have come from public health measures like clean drinking water and air quality improvements.

“Prevention is far cheaper than cure,” she said, adding that gas combustion indoors raises potential occupational health risks for kitchen staff, similar to passive smoking.

Blazey lives in Lane Cove, which she said has “the most comprehensive gas ban in NSW”. Lane Cove council adopted this amendment to its DCP in October 2023.

Informed health decisions

Other speakers warned that the widespread use of gas gave people a false sense of safety. Dr Lisa Selbie, a Chatswood-based medical researcher, said banning gas in new homes would help residents understand the risks and support informed health decisions.

“It will start the conversation of ‘why’,” she said.

Speakers said pollutants released by burning gas indoors - including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, benzene and particulate matter - were linked to asthma, leukaemia, strokes and heart attacks.

“We don’t monitor [indoor air quality] and we don’t regulate. We are really just crossing our fingers and hoping,” said Dr Anthony Hull, an anaesthetist and member of DEA.

Gradual, urgent or balanced approach?

Resident Garth Newton said local government has a role to play in overcoming the community’s resistance to change, while acknowledging that the transition should be supported and gradual.

Oncologist Dr Jonathan Page called for more urgent action, citing research that harmful gases accumulate even when appliances are off: “This is not a matter which can proceed in a gradual fashion.”

Only one speaker, former Willoughby West Ward Councillor Mr Jam Xia, opposed the motion, warning against a blanket ban and advocating for a more “balanced” approach that educates the public while maintaining choice.

The next public forum addressing this issue will be on Tuesday 22nd April, a week before the council decides the following Monday.

Thumbnail images: Kwon Junho (left), Getty Images (right)