1 September 2023

MEDIA RELEASE

Randwick City, Waverley and Woollahra Councils are inviting the community to provide feedback about its first ever draft Eastern Suburbs Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy 2023— Leading the Charge.

The draft electric vehicle (EV) strategy outlines a pathway to actively support and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and was developed by the Randwick, Waverley, Woollahra Regional Environment Program.

It includes analysis about the expected growth in EVs in the area, how many charging points will be needed, what types of chargers should be used and where these chargers should be located.

The draft strategy was informed by extensive community consultation, analysis of the existing market and peer review by industry experts.

Mayor of Randwick, Dylan Parker, said: “We know that most people charge their electric vehicles at home, but that isn’t an option for around half of all residents in the eastern suburbs”.

“Access to on-street chargers is needed if we want to make owning an electric vehicle possible for everyone,” Mayor Parker said.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the draft strategy enables the east’s councils to lead the charge towards net zero and implement a range of new and innovative charging technologies.

“Our three councils have already created the Eastern Suburbs Charging Network consisting of 20 charging locations, with capacity for 40 cars to charge at a time, and our strategy will inform the expansion of this network,” Mayor Masselos said.

Mayor of Woollahra, Susan Wynne, said interest and uptake of electric vehicles is growing rapidly in the community and that the draft strategy ensures the three Councils are prepared for this transition.

“Alongside the growth of renewables in our electricity network, electric vehicles offer the largest opportunity for the community to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions,” Mayor Wynne said.

The strategy recognises that with more than 60% of eastern suburbs residents living in apartments or townhouses, access to charging stations is a significant impediment to EV adoption. While most EV charging occurs at home or work, a significant portion of dwellings lack off-street parking, therefore public charging stations will serve as their primary charging method.

The draft strategy estimates that by 2025, approximately 230 accessible charging ports will be needed in Randwick City, 120 in Waverley and 100 in Woollahra.

“The electrification of transport is key to achieving net zero targets and EV uptake in the eastern suburbs is doubling year on year,’ Mayor Masselos said.

“Local Councils can play a crucial role in providing opportunities for kerbside/on-street charging around local and neighbourhood centres as well as high-density residential areas, where there is a shortage of private investment and space for larger EV charging hubs,” Mayor Parker said.

“The draft strategy outlines the guiding principles that should be followed when situating chargers. This included the principles of equity, accessibility, impact on streetscape, strategic placement, support for mode shift (active transport) and economic development benefits,” Mayor Wynne said.

The draft Strategy identifies Councils’ five roles as:

1. Direct deployment of Council owned chargers in the public domain

2. Facilitating the installation of privately owned charging stations on public and private land.

3. Licensing of Council land/carparks to private charge station operators.

4. Education and awareness for local residents, businesses, tourists and charge station providers.

5. Developing plans and regulation to increase the availability and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the community.

To provide feedback about the draft Eastern Suburbs Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy 2023, visit https://haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au/ev-strategy. Community consultation closes 27 September, and a report will be prepared for each Councils’ endorsement.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:

Randwick City Council: joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au or 0402 351 459.

Waverley Council: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.

Woollahra Council: communications@woollahra.nsw.gov.au or 0407 995 175.