Project objective

To accelerate and support the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) for residents and visitors, we’re partnering with JOLT (an electric vehicle charging network company) to install public EV charging stations in nine locations across Bayside.

The JOLT fast-charging stations will be in public car parking spaces within shopping precincts. Each charging station will provide 7kWh of free charging to each customer every 24 hours, equal to 45-50 km of driving range.

Under the agreement with JOLT, there is no cost to Council for the installation and operation of these chargers. Each charger will include a digital advertising panel – similar to the advertising panels that appear on public bus stop shelters.

The charging stations will use 100% renewable electricity.

Proposed locations:

Project impacts

The use of electric vehicles will play a vital role in achieving Council’s target for the Bayside community to be carbon neutral by 2035.

Australian EV share of new car sales is predicted to reach 8% by 2025 and 27% by 2030. The Victorian State Government has a target for half of new car sales to be zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030.

Facilitating an increase of EV charging infrastructure is a fundamental step towards the wide-scale uptake of EVs and is a key action of Bayside’s Parking Strategy: Parking Sustainably 2023-2033.

Currently there are very few public EV charging stations across Bayside, as shown in Figure 1 below. An expansion of this network is required to support the desired increase in electric vehicle ownership and usage.

Up to two parking bays next to the charger will be allocated for EV charging only, resulting in a minor reduction in parking bays for non-EV drivers.

Figure 1: Public Charging Stations

Council completed an expression of interest (EOI) process for market interest to install EV charging infrastructure on Council managed land, with JOLT being selected as the preferred supplier.

Proposed locations have been selected based on a high number of nearby public parking spaces, suitability, safety and accessibility, as well as to meet current and predicted future demand for EV charging in busy shopping precincts.

There will be limited impact on the environment. Light spill from the advertising signage is at environmentally acceptable levels. Lighting levels for advertising are at 3500 lux measured at the screen during the day and the screens will automatically adjust brightness in the evening. 10000 lux is comparable to a clear sunny day.

Delivery of this project will be at no cost to Council. JOLT will cover the cost of the infrastructure installation and operation of the charging stations.

What information do we need from the community?

We’re seeking feedback from the community, including traders and residents near proposed locations, on the provision and location of public EV charging stations.

Community feedback on proposed locations will help ensure that the best locations are selected and understand community sentiment regarding advertising on the charging stations.

What can the community influence?

• Location of the charging station
• Number parking bays allocated to each charging station

What can’t the community influence?

• Charging costs – set by provider
• Aspects required to meet relevant standards – such as accessibility requirements.
• Charging station provider and technology model

Stakeholders and community

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

• Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
• Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
• Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

Selected tools and techniques

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.

Key tools for communicating the project

• Email notification to Have Your Say members
• Letterbox drop for residents/businesses local to proposed charging stations
• Signage at proposed locations
• Have Your Say project page
• Website news story and This Week in Bayside e-newsletter, as well as special interest e-newsletters
• Digital screens at the Corporate Centre and Brighton Library
• Social media posts
• Let's Talk Bayside magazine feature article.

Key methods for gathering feedback

• Online engagement through Have Your Say, including opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback
• Phone, postal and email correspondence
• Printed survey and consultation materials available on request.

Decision-making process

Community and stakeholder consultation on the proposed charging stations will be held from 4 March 2024 to 21 April 2024.

Community feedback will be reviewed and changes made to the proposed locations, as required.

Subject to the outcomes of community consultation, a report may be provided to Council to finalise the proposed locations.

It is expected that charging stations could be installed in late 2024, subject to community consultation outcomes.

Please select the blue +Subscribe button to receive project updates, including final locations of EV charging stations.