City Mayor Rules out Banning Petrol Cars, Gas Usage

A general view of the Perth City skyline with two native Black Swans on January 8, 2021 in Perth, Australia. Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Residents in the City of Perth can continue to use gas stoves and drive petrol cars without fear of government intervention.

Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas has given an assurance saying city leaders had to consider the financial impact net zero policies had on less well-off families.

“There has to be some practicality to all this,” he told The Epoch Times. “Not everyone has got access to a hybrid or is able to invest in the latest hydrogen or electric technology.”

“Every person should try and improve the city. Every country should try and improve, and a more sustainable way of doing things is very important, but not at the cost of sending us broke and not at the cost of racing in to do it without the implications being considered,” Mr. Zempilas said.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas talks on stage during the Perth Scorchers Fan Day at Forrest Chase in Perth, Australia on Jan. 30, 2023. Paul Kane/Getty Images for Cricket Australia

“One of the things you learn in these jobs is the lesson of ‘unintended consequences.’ You might be doing something because you think it’s the right thing to do, but you haven’t considered all the ramifications.”

The mayor also said the local council had worked hard to be supportive of bringing back business to the city.

“As we started to say goodbye to COVID. We supported small businesses, larger businesses, and businesses of all sizes with grants, funding, and other initiatives like free parking, for example, just to get people back into the city,” he said.

Mr. Zempilas said Perth was leading the nation in lowering office occupancy and also attracting visitors.

Australian Leaders Join Push Towards Net Zero

His comments on net zero come as state and city leaders in Australia roll out initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions in their jurisdictions.

Days earlier, the City of Sydney Council approved a motion to consider banning gas connections in new homes and commercial premises.

However, such a proposal was already rejected by state Premier Chris Minns who said he did not want to exacerbate the ongoing energy crisis, which has seen power bills skyrocket for Australians.

Mr. Minns issued the rejection after his Victorian counterpart, the Andrews Labor government, approved a ban on new gas connections starting in 2024.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia, on July 18, 2023. James Ross/AAP Image

The changes will apply to new homes and government buildings, including schools, hospitals, and police stations, but commercial premises will be exempt.

“Reducing our reliance on gas is critical to meeting our ambitious emission reduction target of net zero by 2045 and getting more Victorians on more efficient electric appliances, which will save them money on their bills,” said Victoria’s Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio in a statement.

The move was also adopted by the Australian Capital Territory’s Labor-Green government, who also approved a motion to consider reducing the amount of petrol and diesel vehicles in the nation’s capital.

In May, Labor backbencher Suzanne Orr moved a successful motion for Canberra to be the first Australian city to sign up for the Green and Healthy Streets Accelerator.

It means city officials will likely consider proposals such as the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) adopted by Mayor Sadiq Khan’s administration in London which covers a vast expanse of the metropolitan area.

British drivers of hydrogen or battery-powered cars can enter the ULEZ for free, while those driving regular cars (even hybrids) must pay 12.50 pounds.

Mark Hutchison contributed to this article.