A community petition urges a re-think on unsightly EV charging stations
The Borough of Queenscliffe (BoQ) is under mounting pressure to relocate two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations from the historic Town Hall precinct, with a petition launched this week already attracting upwards of 60 signatures.
Initiated by a group of local residents, the change.Org petition argues that large stations were installed without adequate consultation and in contravention of BoQ’s own planning controls.
While supportive of the municipality’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, through its Climate Emergency Response Plan, the group said the location of the stations, in historic Learmonth Street, was inappropriate.
“Learmonth Street is one of Queenscliff's key heritage precincts where residential planning is strictly regulated by the provisions in the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme,” the petition states. “The introduction of large commercial EV charger bowsers into an important residential street is inconsistent with the heritage provisions of the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme and the recently enacted Bellarine Distinctive Area Landscape Plan.”
When switching on the stations in July, Council said a geographical gap existed across the Bellarine, with Queenscliffe identified as a priority location to help EV drivers travel the state.
“Putting Queenscliffe on the EV map makes the Borough the next place to be for all electric car owners, businesses and tourists, benefiting our community and our planet. This will mean any EV drivers hoping to pass through the Barwon South West region and needing to charge their car on the way will stop in our historic and beautiful town,” it said.
The stations are capable of fully-charging vehicles in approximately 40 minutes to an hour and a half – up to 10 times faster than traditional EV chargers. Users are charged at a rate of 45c per kilowatt.
The petition calls on Council:
Initiated by a group of local residents, the change.Org petition argues that large stations were installed without adequate consultation and in contravention of BoQ’s own planning controls.
While supportive of the municipality’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, through its Climate Emergency Response Plan, the group said the location of the stations, in historic Learmonth Street, was inappropriate.
“Learmonth Street is one of Queenscliff's key heritage precincts where residential planning is strictly regulated by the provisions in the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme,” the petition states. “The introduction of large commercial EV charger bowsers into an important residential street is inconsistent with the heritage provisions of the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme and the recently enacted Bellarine Distinctive Area Landscape Plan.”
When switching on the stations in July, Council said a geographical gap existed across the Bellarine, with Queenscliffe identified as a priority location to help EV drivers travel the state.
“Putting Queenscliffe on the EV map makes the Borough the next place to be for all electric car owners, businesses and tourists, benefiting our community and our planet. This will mean any EV drivers hoping to pass through the Barwon South West region and needing to charge their car on the way will stop in our historic and beautiful town,” it said.
The stations are capable of fully-charging vehicles in approximately 40 minutes to an hour and a half – up to 10 times faster than traditional EV chargers. Users are charged at a rate of 45c per kilowatt.
The petition calls on Council:
- To give an undertaking to relocate the charging stations to a site selected after broad community engagement and assessment and for works on the new site be completed by 30 June next year, and
- That a policy for EV station points and other climate infrastructure be considered in conjunction with the heritage and neighbourhood characteristic overlays.
