Yass Valley Council decided only to support a proposal from Tesla to install additional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in six car parks if they are universal charges available to all makes of EV.
Director for Infrastructure and Assets James Dugdell said the charges agreed upon in the September Council Meeting will cover the first six bays past the disabled parking bays on the far side of the carpark in Yass Park and Ride.
The additional six bays were to have been placed in the six bays adjacent to the six that were originally agreed upon.
“Council did not believe that it should provide the additional space in a Council car park to a commercial company that did not provide a service to the whole market,” he said.
High-speed chargers are typically aimed at travellers as opposed to local owners, who would normally use their own home-based charger.
James said the purpose of placing high-speed chargers in the centre of towns is to provide access to amenities like playgrounds, cafes and public toilets for travellers.
Council also has an agreement with NRMA for a charger in the Meehan St carpark with the option to extend to additional chargers should it be agreeable to both parties.
The Council is also making other moves to become more sustainable through the installation of solar panels and other energy-saving technology at several buildings throughout Yass Valley.
They are requesting quotations from local companies to install solar panels on the Council Depot, Water Treatment Plant and Sewage Treatment Plant in Yass. After reviewing the results of this first round of installations in Yass the Council will also look at installing solar panels at the Murrumbateman Sewage Treatment Plant.
Council has also included the installation of solar power, energy-saving technology, and water-saving technologies in the Crago Mill Precinct.
In addition to options for high speed and destination charging for electric vehicles to support the future transition of some of the council fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles.
As part of the Memorial Hall repair and upgrade works Council is investigating the installation of solar panels and energy-saving technology at the site.
During the September 2021 Council meeting, Council agreed to a trial of the Environmental Upgrade Finance program. The program provides a finance mechanism for small businesses to pay for works that improve the energy, water or environmental efficiency and overall sustainability of commercial and other buildings.
The majority of sports field lighting has been upgraded to LED, along with the main street lighting to reduce power consumption.
By Brianna O’Rourke
Photo: The orange square indicates the six bays where the Tesla EV chargers will be located
