Borough’s EV installation charges debate

THE BOROUGH of Queenscliffe insists its council offices are the best place for the town’s new electric vehicle chargers despite criticism from community members saying they clash with the town’s famous heritage streetscape.

Ratepayers say that units should be smaller or in different locations to avoid any visual impact on the town’s historic buildings.

Two new chargers at the front of the borough’s Learmonth Street headquarters has drawn attention on social media in recent weeks as their installation continues.

In a statement this week, the council indicated it had selected that site following careful consideration.

“Council offices on Learmonth Street were determined as the most appropriate location in terms of safety, accessibility, and proximity to services (public toilets, shops, and cafes). This location also meets the requirements of the Road Safety Act,” a spokesperson stated.

“Five other locations across Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff were explored and were ruled out due to having insufficient space for reversing up to the chargers, lack of access to appropriate power supply, and being exposed to elements that result in corrosion.

“The installation is not yet complete, and there are further works being undertaken to landscape the area around the chargers.

“Council committed to installing 50kw Tritium EV chargers as they are a trusted fast charger, charging twice as fast as smaller 22kw units, and as such are physically larger in size than the slower charge-speed option.”

The borough also said that Queenscliffe had been identified as a priority blackspot for EV infrastructure in a state government review, and that installation of charging stations was part of its Climate Emergency Response Plan.

Resident Andrew Sutherland said he was supportive of more chargers being installed across Queenscliffe, but preferred to see smaller units that had minimal visual impact on the historic buildings.

“We’re very supportive and need to transition… we need we need more chargers, definitely.

“However, the borough is well known for its heritage streetscapes, and the two units which have been installed in Learmonth Stret… do not align with the heritage values of the town.

“So we were very surprised that something so discordant would be installed without any discussion.

“We believe that there are ample opportunities to put them in places where heritage values are not so prominent.”

Mr Sutherland suggested smaller units integrated with power poles or chargers in other locations with less heritage value, such as Queenscliff Harbour, would be more appropriate for the infrastructure.