WATER HEATERS

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. R.D. Lawson:

That the regulations under the Development Act 1993 concerning heated water services, made on 26 June 2008 and laid on the table of this council on 22 July 2008, be disallowed.

(Continued from 29 October 2008. Page 460.)

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (19:53): Previously I sought leave to conclude my remarks. These regulations will require that, where a hot water service is being replaced, the replacement unit must be either a gas system, a solar system or an electric heat pump system. This is an energy saving proposal, which the Liberal Party supports. However, as my colleague in another place (the member for Heysen) pointed out in her contribution on 8 April, these regulations can adversely affect residents in the Adelaide Hills where the options of gas, solar and electric heat pump system are not always practicable.

In some cases solar systems do not work adequately because of the location of the particular premises, which may not have north facing roofs to accommodate the necessary systems. Gas systems are inappropriate in many cases because, unlike the rest of metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills does not have a reticulated gas system. In certain cases electric heat pump systems do not work adequately, even though it is claimed they should, and, even though they are guaranteed to work above altitude 800 metres (as the honourable member explained in another place), that is not always the case and many have found to be inadequate.

The member for Heysen pointed out in her contribution that when she had discussions with departmental officers it was explained to her that, notwithstanding the general terms of the regulations, it was the intention of the department that they apply to metropolitan Adelaide, and exemptions are already provided under the existing exemptions for areas and situations for which these three options are inappropriate.

In those cases, the honourable member who raised this issue was satisfied that it was inappropriate to disallow the regulations. She accepted the assurances of the minister's advisers and the public servants responsible for the administration of these regulations. Accordingly, I will not be proceeding with this motion for the disallowance of these regulations; or, indeed, for the same reasons, the next item on the Notice Paper. I move:

That this order of the day be discharged.

Motion carried.