Strong Support Signalled for Wollongong Housing Electrification

Following rallies held on the eve of last May's World Asthma Day, Wollongong City Council has proposed total electrification for all new builds within their city centre catchment.

The latest Wollongong City Centre Planning Review contains a 'Development Control Plan' chapter advocating for the change, with its implementation aiming for the relatively tight turnaround of Tuesday 30 June for all planning development applications.

It is part of the Our Wollongong 2035 Community Strategic Plan: We are a sustainable and climate resilient city plan.

The draft document relates the changes to last year's protests, acknowledging that 'the combustion of natural gas in homes for cooking and space heating is linked to 12% of asthma cases in Australia.'

Community group Electrify Illawarra and advocacy body Healthy Cities Australia have heralded the move, noting the increase in energy efficiency, economic benefits, resilience in futureproofing, and its positive impact on child asthma rates. 

The Wollongong City Centre Planning Review is in feedback stage. An online form, and further information, is available on the City of Wollongong's web page. For details and involvement, click here.