Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         currently, within the City of Sydney, there are over 100 publicly available electric vehicle (EV) charging plugs;

(ii)        many City of Sydney residents have identified that despite the positive impacts that transitioning to EVs would have on the environment within the City of Sydney, available public charging stations to support this transition are lacking;

(iii)      the new Federal Government has announced the ‘Driving the Nation’ policy designed to reduce transportation emissions by making EVs more affordable and easier to charge, signalling new Federal Government investment to establish more EV charging stations;

(iv)      the NSW Government has also announced the investment in ultrafast EV charging station infrastructure. However, the investment in infrastructure relies upon site owners hosting public EV fast-charging facilities;

(v)       currently, for example, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Paddington, Newtown, Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay do not have any electric charging station facilities. Areas without charging sites may be targeted for the installation of the appropriate infrastructure to support the transition to EVs in alignment with the intensions of the Federal and State Governments to commit to action on climate change;

(vi)      the City of Sydney was one of the first organisations to convert its fleet of vehicles to hybrid and electric;

(vii)     the City of Sydney is developing an EV strategy that will identify actions the City can take to support the provision of publicly available EV charging stations;

(viii)    though publicly available EV charging stations play an important role in encouraging people to switch from conventional to electric cars, the greatest reduction in transport emissions comes from encouraging a shift from cars to walking, cycling and public transport, particularly in cities where demand for public space is highest; and

(B)      while developing the City’s EV strategy, the Chief Executive Officer be requested to consider:

(i)         identifying City of Sydney-owned sites appropriate for installing EV charging stations by the end of the current term of Council;

(ii)        identifying City of Sydney-owned sites for EV charging stations on a needs basis, targeting areas outside of the current selection of charging stations to ensure all City of Sydney Local Government Area residents and businesses have equitable access to such charging stations; and

(iii)      the City of Sydney’s commitment to climate change and net zero emissions by 2035.

Carried unanimously, as part of an in globo motion.

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