A leading publican has claimed that the price of a chicken schnitzel at the pub could rise to as much as $40 a meal as costs surge.
But it’s not inflation that’s the issue, he’s said – but environmental red tape.
The Head of the South Australian branch of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), which represents owners in the hospitality industry, has said a phase out of gas burners in commercial kitchens would see pub grub prices surge.
“Natural gas is increasingly under siege,” said the AHA’s David Basheer in his annual Christmas luncheon speech in Adelaide, reported The Advertiser.
Mr Basheer owns the Strathmore Hotel in Adelaide’s CBD which currently offers chicken schnitzels for $24.
It’s not clear how Mr Basheer landed on the $40 a schnitzel figure. While the cost of induction stoves is more expensive than gas stoves, power usage is far reduced when cooking with electric leading to lower energy bills.
Mr Basheer added that “rapid bureaucracy” had “strangled” pubs at a time when in some venues there was a 20 per cent fall in demand.
His comments come as a gas stove deadline looms in neighbouring Victoria. From 2024, no gas cookers will be allowed to be installed in new build residential properties in the state.
The Victorian Government is billing the move as a cost of living measure claiming households will save up to $1000 off their annual energy bills while reducing household emissions.
Research from the US’ Stanford University also found that cooktop burners can raise the levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, in a house to above those of second-hand tobacco smoke.
Victoria has not stopped gas burners from being installed in commercial premises. So a new pub opening in Melbourne next year could still cook a schnitty on a gas flame from a new oven.
But it’s likely that a ban on gas stoves in all premises is down the track in the state to help meet emission reduction goals.
Victoria has a carbon emissions goal of net zero by 2045; South Australia has given itself another five years to get to the same measure.
While many restaurants and pubs prefer gas, induction cooktops are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative providing similar levels of heat and controllability.
“Induction cooktops are high quality, lightning fast and great to cook with,” said Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel.
“All-electric homes are all-good for families. They are cheaper to run, healthier to live in, and help lower emissions.”
A spokesman for SA energy minister Tom Koutsantonis told The Advertiser the government had “no intention whatsoever to ban gas connections”. He added that gas was “essential” in any renewable energy transition.