Decision details

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Vithoulkas -

It is resolved that:

(A)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          transition the Council’s vehicle fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2030;

(ii)         investigate introducing requirements for all new multi-unit and mixed used developments to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and

(iii)        explore the viability of the City of Sydney Council becoming a signatory to the Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declaration, as part of the C40 coalition.

Foreshadowed motion. Councillor Miller foreshadowed that, should the motion moved by Councillor Phelps be lost, she would move an alternative motion.

The motion was lost on the following show of hands –

Ayes (2)          Councillors Chung and Phelps

Noes (7)          The Lord Mayor, Councillors Kok, Miller, Scott, Scully, Thalis and Vithoulkas

Motion lost.

Councillor Miller then moved her foreshadowed motion, seconded by Councillor Scully, as follows:

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note that:

(i)          the City has offset all its emissions, including fleet emissions, since 2007, and has been certified carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standards since 2011;

(ii)         the City recognises the important environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles, and their potential to increase the City’s resilience by improving fuel security;

(iii)        mass transit, share transit and active transit play important roles in reducing vehicle emissions across the City, and are critical to reducing congestion;

(iv)       the City reduced its fleet emissions by 26 per cent between 2010 and 2014, and is on track to achieve its goal of zero increase in fleet emissions by June 2021;

(v)         the City currently operates one of the largest electric vehicle fleets in Australia with 19 electric vehicles and several electric diesel hybrid trucks, it also provides public charging facilities at Kings Cross and Goulburn Street parking stations;

(vi)       fast electric vehicle chargers draw power equal to the peak power usage of 80-200 homes;

(vii)      to minimise stress on energy network infrastructure, large scale installation of electric vehicle chargers needs to be delivered with the adequate oversight and management and in consultation with the energy utilities;

(viii)     the NSW Government is currently working on an Electric Vehicles Strategy, which the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight committed to releasing within the next 12 months at the recent budget estimates committee; and

(ix)       in April 2016, the City co-signed a submission on vehicle emissions to the Federal Government, calling on them to support a nationally co-ordinated approach to transitioning to electric vehicles.

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          continue to transition the Council’s vehicle fleet to zero emission vehicles as models become available and cost effective, and where vehicles are due for replacement; and

(ii)         investigate opportunities for the City to support the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, once the NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy is approved.

Carried unanimously.

S129263

Extension of Time

During discussion on this matter, pursuant to the provisions of Clause 250(3) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, it was –

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Miller –

That Councillor Phelps be granted an extension of time to speak on this matter.

Carried unanimously.

During discussion on this matter, pursuant to the provisions of Clause 250(3) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, it was –

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Kok –

That Councillor Scully be granted an extension of time to speak on this matter.

Carried unanimously.