<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>330864</docID> <postdate>2024-10-13 14:29:30</postdate> <headline>Belco Bill’s staying in front of the fire</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-289146" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/fireplace-gc87e65db4_1280.jpg" alt="" width="901" height="602" /></p> <caption>“There is nothing quite like sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter's day, enjoying a cup of tea and reading a good book,†said candidate Bill Stefaniak.</caption> <p><strong>The Belco Party will oppose proposals by the Greens to ban wood-fired heaters and gas appliances in </strong><strong>the ACT if they're successful at Saturday's election.</strong></p> <p>Ginninderra candidate Bill Stefaniak said he was passionate about preserving these energy sources, praising their importance for comfort and sustainability.</p> <p>“There is nothing quite like sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter's day, enjoying a cup of tea and reading a good book,†he said.</p> <p>“When I was young, in Narrabundah we had a slow-combustion wood stove that not only cooked well, but warmed the whole house. I still have a nice wood heater in my shed near Eden.â€</p> <p>Acknowledging concerns about air pollution and health, Stefaniak said technological advancements had significantly reduced wood heater emissions.</p> <p>“Great improvements have been made to wood heaters, ensuring they are not pollutants and are indeed carbon neutral,†he said.</p> <p>“Many Canberrans rely on wood heaters, and since wood is a cheap, renewable source, it is madness to phase out and ban wood heaters in Canberra.â€</p> <p>He said the Belco Party also opposed the Greens’ and Labor’s agenda to phase out gas, which was an essential, low-emission<br /> energy source crucial to Australia’s future.</p> <p>“I have been informed that they have already ripped gas out of public housing at a huge cost to taxpayers, and banning any new installations in the territory's new suburbs is simply madness," Mr Stefaniak said.</p> <p>"People and businesses need choice,†Mr. Stefaniak stated.</p> <p>“If we are elected, the Belco Party will do everything in its power to reverse the Greens' unrealistic and unfair bans.â€</p> </body>