National Trust backs call to move EV chargers from historic Queenscliff street

THE National Trust Geelong Branch has added their voice to the push to relocate two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations away from a historic residential street in Queenscliff.

The fast chargers, situated at 50 Learmonth St, have the capability to fully charge an EV in roughly 40 to 90 minutes, but their location outside the historic town hall has drawn the ire of local residents.

“The Geelong and Region Branch of the National Trust (GRBNT) deplores the insensitive siting of the above EV chargers in the heritage streetscape of Learmonth St, and supports the petition by ratepayers from the surrounding heritage buildings to have the chargers re-sited in a less sensitive area,” the letter reads.

“The Branch strongly supports the Borough’s Municipal Strategic Statement which promotes Queenscliff’s heritage character.

“In this light, residents’ and the Queenscliff Community Association’s endeavours to have them removed to a more appropriate location that is not under a Heritage Overlay, and that will not impact neighbouring heritage properties to their detriment as they do the Learmonth St ones, is commendable.

“Any re-location must be supported by proper community consultation. It is sad that this was not carried out for this infrastructure development under a Heritage Overlay; we understand that the Council had advice that they were exempt from normal Planning Scheme constraints, but we question that advice.

“Residents supporting Queenscliff’s heritage try to look after its character, which is largely dependent on its streetscapes. Previous State Governments and municipal administrations also looked after it through strategic planning, resulting in important documents such as the Bellarine Statement of Planning Policy July 2023, developed by the Government through its Department of Transport and Planning.

“Unfortunately, the official vandalism of the Queenscliff EV installation which impacts on its high heritage values, so carefully preserved by present and past Governments, Councils and residents, now requires rectification.

The letter comes as a petition launched in December 2023 by concerned residents has reached over 450 signatures.

According to local resident Jo Pitt, over 90% of households contacted in the surrounding heritage streets have signed the petition.

“Only 6 households contacted in this area abstained or stated that they prefer the current location of the EV chargers,” Ms Pitt said.

In a meeting on 28 February Borough of Queenscliffe councillors voted 3-2 against relocation of the chargers.

Mayor Isabelle Tolhurst said it was a close vote but there were no plans to move the chargers.

“Council considered over several months the petition and proposal put forward by residents concerned about the location of the EV chargers, and while the vote at the February Ordinary meeting of Council was close, Council made the decision to keep the EV chargers in their current location and commence investigating the merits of a specific policy that informs the installation of renewable infrastructure in the Borough,” Cr Tolhurst said.

“There are no plans at this stage to reexamine relocation.”