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Analysis of new disconnection data by Rewiring Australia reveals Victorians are shifting away from gas in record numbers, with usage halving in Rochester and declining by more than a third in Ararat amidst significant reductions in Melbourne’s outer suburbs and growth corridors.
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Analysis of new disconnection data by Rewiring Australia reveals Victorians are shifting away from gas in record numbers, with usage halving in Rochester and declining by more than a third in Ararat amidst significant reductions in Melbourne’s outer suburbs and growth corridors.
Newly released data from Victoria’s three major gas distributors shows residential gas use plummeted by 26 per cent across the state between 2020 and 2025, with disconnections vastly outpacing new connections and 76 per cent of all Victorian postcodes recording a net loss in connections so far this year.
“It really is mind boggling to think the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation are all promising to scrap Victoria’s path to cleaner, cheaper energy when there is now clear evidence that gas is already in steep decline,” Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom said.
The analysis reveals gas use is down uniformly between 24 and 27 per cent across both metropolitan and regional Victoria, with the number of connections in regional cities shrinking since its mid-2024 peak and 94 per cent of Victorian postcodes containing at least one household that has abolished their gas connection since 2023.
Gas use is also plummeting for those who remain connected, with a 12 per cent decline in usage attributed to homes progressively swapping out old gas appliances for efficient electric alternatives.
Mr Vierboom said the scale of disconnections across Victoria show electrification is not a ‘woke inner-city’ agenda but a smart, pragmatic economic choice.
“People are looking at the skyrocketing price of gas, looking at the efficiency of modern electric appliances, and making the switch because it makes economic sense. They’ve realised that we are all victims of fossil fuel-led inflation and declared they’ve had enough,” he said.
“Despite the rhetoric we continue to hear from the gas lobby and their mates as Victoria heads to the polls, what this data shows is that people simply want cheaper, cleaner energy in their homes and the transition is already well underway. Growth in the network is now isolated to just a few dozen postcodes while the rest of the state is rapidly disconnecting.”
Fastest falling gas use (2020-2025)
Highest volume of households abolishing connections (since 2023)
To view the full postcode-by-postcode breakdown, visit Rewiring Australia’s interactive map of the transition at https://rewiringaustralia.org/mission-electric-map/victoria-gas/
Contact: Eliot Barham 0423 921 200
Electrifying our homes and cars is the recipe to cut emissions and save money for Australian homes. Let's build an abundant electric future for Australia.
The NSW Government has announced it will cut the income threshold for its zero-interest Home Energy Saver loans from $210,000 to $150,000, while the Federal Government is reportedly weighing further cuts to EV salary packaging and home battery support to find budget savings. Rewiring Australia Founder Saul Griffith said both moves were driven by inflation anxiety but would make the problem worse.
Western Australia is the first state to commit to legalising plug-in balcony solar and batteries. It’s a big win for millions of Australians who’ve been shut out of cheap, clean power.
“Electric technologies are scientifically proven to be cheaper and more efficient. A heat pump water heater or reverse cycle A/C uses around a quarter of the energy to heat the same water or air. Gas goons will never tell you this and say it’s about consumer choice. It’s imperative that nobody is fooled by their lies.”