Ginninderry pilots ACT’s first gas-free housing trial for 350 homes


Released 02/02/2018

Joint media release: Yvette Berry MLA, Shane Rattenbury MLA and Mick Gentleman MLA

The new master-planned Ginninderry development will trial a gas-free residential precinct in stage 1 of the suburb for the first 350 homes. These homes will be highly sustainable and will become energy generators in their own right.

Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Yvette Berry said Ginninderry will have a very important role in meeting the demand for diverse and affordable housing in the West Belconnen region over the coming years.

“This trial precinct provides an opportunity to ensure that housing delivered in Canberra is both environmentally sustainable and affordable for our community,” Minister Berry said.

“Transitioning away from gas is an important step in addressing climate change. As the ACT moves to 100% renewable electricity by 2020, gas will become one of the major remaining contributors to greenhouse gas pollution, so we will need to find options to reduce gas use,” Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said.

“Ginninderry residents will also save money, with energy modelling for the pilot finding that households will save over $14,000 when using all electrical appliances compared to gas (over the life of the appliances),” Mr Rattenbury said.

Each home in the first stage of development will include mandatory solar panels and smart meters.

Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman added that the trial will be facilitated through a Variation to the Territory Plan which will remove the requirement for gas to be provided to stage 1. The draft variation will be released shortly and will have an interim effect.

The trial will be assessed following a reasonable time period to ensure it meets consumer needs and grid security requirements. This will include testing capacity and function in a range of climate conditions.

The trial will also ensure higher design and insulation standards are set for any future proposals.

Affordable sustainable living has been highlighted in this development with the ambitious vision to create a place underpinned by leading-edge design and development practices.

Ginninderry is at the forefront of energy system design in Australia – driving local jobs and growth in renewal energy in the ACT region. The learnings of this trial could be applied to other developments in the ACT to bring advances in sustainability, more affordable living and greater customer choice.

- Statement ends -

Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases

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