Scamps' Call for Residential Battery Subsidies May Ease Council's EV-Charging Stations Dilemma

A late memo sent to councillors stated this would be deferred to a later meeting on the basis that JOLT would like to meet with Councillors to discuss its position and the value that its service provides as well as the findings of the community consultation process which was conducted for the locations proposed. 

Two of the spots nominated were at Avalon Beach, in the beach car park, and a postcode where there is a high uptake of electric vehicles but no charging station for the same, and Newport.

At the council meeting held Tuesday February 18 the council was slated to approve only 4 new EV charging stations – 3 in Warringah and 1 in Manly; at Forestville Seniors Centre Carpark 1 - Starkey Street (corner of Warringah Road, Forestville), outside 19 Sydenham Road, Brookvale, Narraweena Shops Carpark - 52 May Road, Narraweena and at Victoria Parade - outside 29 East Esplanade, Manly.

Proposals to place EV charging infrastructure in Newport and Avalon Beach - at 558A Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach were deemed ‘Not feasible’ as it was cost prohibitive for the provider, and that proposed for outside 327 Barrenjoey Road, Newport was ‘Not supported’ and 'an alternate location nearby could be considered, subject to further investigation and removal of advertising'.

An annual fee of $1,936 is charged per dedicated parking space allocated to the EV charger at each location. This supports the installation of the signage and line marking along with providing a return to the community for the use of the community asset.

Council's report on the new proposals stated this model was chosen as it was already in place for use by Carshare providers using dedicated spaces on the peninsula. 

''The recommendations of this report pose no adverse financial impact on Council, with any additional EV chargers approved providing additional operational revenue to Council. In the Northern Beaches delivery model, the Charge Point Operator is responsible for all statutory approval (development applications) and construction costs, including any additional road opening permit and restoration costs.'' the report states.

Council's consultation shortlisted 13 sites - there is funding to install 11 under the current NSW Government Kerbside EV Charging grant, plus an additional two in lieu of previously approved sites that are no longer feasible.

The upshot seems to be there may be problems with the advertising on these charging stations along with the revenue the council would miss from being unable to charge for parking where these stations would be placed - a revenue stream that can amount to thousands annually per parking spot that would eclipse the almost two thousand in fees under its current model.

Along with this some of the first generation batteries are quite large and considered a bit of a 'blot on the landscape' when less intrusive infrastructure was envisioned, and take quite some time to charge a vehicle, further tying up parking spots.

However, with data from the Australian Automobile Association showing more and more locals are buying an EV as their next car, Mackellar MP Dr. Sophie Scamps last week released a policy that may help with this shift in car choice and gaps in the EV charging stations, as well as support more solar power coming back into supply.

Dr. Scamps proposes federal subsidies for residential batteries. Dr Scamps’ policy would see the existing Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) expanded to include subsidies for home batteries.

Australia leads the world when it comes to powering our homes with solar energy, it is one of our great success stories. Solar panels provide households and businesses with cheap, clean electricity, and as prices for solar panels steadily drop, Aussies are putting them on their homes and businesses in ever increasing numbers.

It is one of the reasons why nearly 50% of our energy here in Australia already comes from renewable sources.

But while over 4 million of our homes have solar panels, only around 300,000 have batteries. This mismatch is where the opportunity lies to bring energy prices down, not only for the individual households, but for everyone.

As household batteries can store electricity in the middle of the day when prices are cheap and electricity use is low, and discharge back to the grid during the evening peak periods, this will smooth the demand-supply curve, making energy prices cheaper for everyone.

“For the past three years families and business owners have been telling me that their biggest stress is the cost of electricity. The best way for government to provide cost of living relief is to help families and businesses install solar and batteries. Batteries are the missing piece of the puzzle.” Dr Scamps said

Under Scamps’ policy, households would be eligible for a Commonwealth subsidy for up to a third of the cost of a household battery, capped at $5,000. With an average sized battery, this will save households between $1000 and $1500 a year on their energy bills.

Increasing the number of residential batteries would also have system-wide benefits, including:

• increasing supply at peak times, making electricity prices cheaper for all households and businesses (not just the battery owners);
• improving the resilience of our electricity grid by getting more storage into the system faster and solving the mid-day oversupply of cheap electricity
• through the geographical diversification of storage (so as not to concentrate electricity generation and supply in certain areas only)

The total cost of the subsidy to the federal government would be capped at $1.5 billion annually, based on a tenfold increase in the current uptake of household batteries, Dr Scamps states.

“Batteries are the most important energy technology of the 21st century. They are reliable, and they are rapidly getting cheaper. I want every Australian to have the opportunity to reduce their power bills to near zero with the use of home batteries,” Dr Scamps said.

Dr Scamps’ policy is backed by the experts. John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Smart Energy Council, said “the best way to help households slash their energy bills is through solar and battery.

"The Smart Energy Council strongly endorses extending the SRES to include support for home batteries.

"We really welcome Dr Sophie Scamps’ strong focus on helping families to reduce cost of living pressures."

It's also worth remembering the Federal Government is supporting the installation of batteries and EV chrging stations across the state - one such opportunity, closing March 28, provides landowners and leaseholders with access to funding to become an EV charger hosting station in NSW. 

Additionally, IPART lists businesses, known as Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs), who can offer incentives to carry out eligible upgrades. The list identifies businesses we have licensed to be an Accredited Certificate Providers (ACP) under the Safeguard. ACPs can offer households and businesses equipment upgrades that save energy or reduce electricity demand at lower cost. All ACPs on this list are accredited under the Energy Saving Scheme (ESS). Some are also accredited under Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) as indicated by the asterisk (*). Each ACP is responsible for deciding the type of upgrade they offer and where they deliver these.

Once you're all set up, you can receive an incentive by signing your battery up to a demand response contract, also known as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). A VPP allows you to sell some of the excess stored energy in your battery when other people on the grid need it most. 

Another sweetener was announced by the incumbent Albanese Government on March 1st in the form of '$25 million to power-up apartment solar and bring down power bills'. 

The Government is working with the Minns NSW Government to deliver a new $25 million program to help apartment residents save up to $600 on their energy bills annually.

The 'Solar for Apartment Residents incentive' is the first-of-its-kind in NSW and provides co-funding to eligible owners’ corporations and strata managers to install shared rooftop solar systems.

Currently one in five NSW homes are apartments, yet only about 3.5 per cent of those are connected to solar. This program will expand access to renewable technology and lower the cost of resident’s power bills.

It will cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing shared solar systems on apartments or other multi-unit dwellings, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.

The incentive is funded by the Government’s 'Solar Banks Scheme', which is focused on removing the barriers to accessing solar nationwide, and is a key action in the NSW Government’s Consumer Energy Strategy.

The program is designed and administered by the NSW Government, which will assess and approve applications, distribute funding to grant recipients and oversee the delivery of funded projects.

Owner’s corporations or strata managers of apartments or other multi-unit dwellings with 3-55 units that haven’t had a solar PV system installed in the last 10 years are eligible to apply.

Applications are now open and will close on 1 December 2025 or when funding is exhausted.

For more information on the initiative and to check your eligibility, visit Solar for apartment residents.

For more information on Dr Sophie Scamps MP policy please see the supplied: Residential Battery Subsidies Fact Sheet

Inquiry announcement: infrastructure for electric and alternative energy source vehicles in NSW

The Legislative Assembly Committee on Transport and Infrastructure is inquiring into existing and future infrastructure needed to support electric and alternative energy source vehicles across New South Wales.

The Committee will investigate the feasibility of alternative energy sources for freight, heavy vehicles and other licenced vehicles in regional communities, including the challenges faced by long-haul freight transport and the potential for sustainable solutions.

The Committee will also look at the funding of electric vehicle chargers and infrastructure to support other potential energy fuel sources. A key focus will be exploring the location of charging stations to ensure accessibility across the state.

"This inquiry is an important step in future-proofing our transport infrastructure and ensuring that New South Wales is ready for the shift to electric and alternative energy vehicles," said Committee Chair, Lynda Voltz MP.

As part of its inquiry, the Committee will also consider how existing infrastructure and measures can be effectively used to ensure a competitive market and fair access for stakeholders. This includes examining relevant 'ring fencing' policies.

The Committee will explore what assistance is needed for workers transitioning from industries affected by the shift to electric and alternative energy vehicles, and whether relevant employment standards of those industries will be maintained.

"It’s essential that we build the right infrastructure, boost regional economies, support affected workers, and create a fair and competitive market in New South Wales."

The Committee is currently inviting agencies, businesses, industry groups, community organisations and the public to make a submission. For more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and information on making a submission, see the Committee's webpage.

The closing date for submissions is Friday 2 May 2025.

Notes

EV Use in Pittwater

Data from the Australian Automobile Association records the use and proportion of all vehicles, by postcode, including ownership of BEV (Battery electric vehicle) and fuel vehicles. This data provides access and insights into how many EVs here are across the peninsula, although the news service only delved into Pittwater suburbs and those that were going to be discussed at the February 2025 council meeting for this report.

This association also records which vehicles are being purchased – and the amount of time it takes to recharge one. This ranges from 18 minutes (10% to 80%) for the smaller Kia models up to 80 minutes for the smaller Lexus. 

Purchase of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles is increasing in New South Wales, although the state ranks second across Australia behind the ACT. Visit: https://www.aaa.asn.au/research-data/electric-vehicle/

On Friday February 21 2025 the Australian Automobile Association released its latest data on EVs. Sales of hybrid vehicles continued to exceed those of electric vehicles in the last three months of 2024 despite losing market share amid a slowdown in car sales across the nation, according to the nation’s peak motoring body.

While the market share of hybrids fell from 16.70 per cent in the September quarter to 14.83 per cent in the December quarter, they still outsold EVs, which increased their market share to 7.42 per cent of sales – up from 6.59 per cent.

The new data comes in the AAA EV Index online data dashboard, which analyses all new light vehicle sales across the country. Its latest quarterly update shows the December quarter 2024 had the lowest light vehicle sales since the January quarter of 2023.

In national new light vehicle sales:

• total sales (all engine types) fell 0.62% (from 289,098 to 287,294)
• ICE sales rose by 0.63% and ICE market share rose from 74.17% to 75.11%
• battery electric vehicle sales rose 11.93% (from 19,057 to 21,331), which is still lower than the sales and market share achieved in the first half of 2024
• plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales continued to rise – up 3.18% from Q3 with market share rising from 2.53% to 2.63%

2023-24 National Quarterly New Light Vehicle Sales*

Fuel type Q1 2023 Q2 2023 Q3  2023 Q4  2023 Q1 2024 Q2  2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024

ICE   222,136 246,565 247,488 248,943 228,961 236,129 214,433 215,789

BEV           17,396 25,696 22,651 21,474 25,552 25,353 19,057 21,331

Hybrid   16,101 22,212 31,418 28,708 35,003 46,727 48,282 42,618

PHEV     1,461 2,071 3,211 4,476 3,426 4,675 7,323 7,556

HFCEV – – 2 4 2 5 3 0

All    257,094 296,544 304,770 303,605 292,994 312,889 289,098 287,294

2023-24 National Quarterly New Light Vehicle Market Share*

Fuel type Q1 2023 Q2 2023 Q3  2023 Q4  2023 Q1  2024 Q2  2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024

ICE     86.40% 83.15% 81.20% 82.00% 78.16% 75.47% 74.17% 75.11%

BEV       6.77% 8.67% 7.43% 7.07% 8.72% 8.10% 6.59% 7.42%

Hybrid 6.26% 7.49% 10.31% 9.46% 11.95% 14.93% 16.70% 14.83%

PHEV 0.57% 0.70% 1.05% 1.47% 1.17% 1.49% 2.53% 2.63%

HFCEV 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

*Data courtesy Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Electric Vehicle Council

2023-24 National Quarterly New Light Vehicle Market Share*

Fuel type Q1 2023 Q2 2023 Q3  2023 Q4  2023 Q1  2024 Q2  2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024

ICE 86.40% 83.15% 81.20% 82.00% 78.16% 75.47% 74.17% 75.11%

BEV 6.77% 8.67% 7.43% 7.07% 8.72% 8.10% 6.59% 7.42%

Hybrid 6.26% 7.49% 10.31% 9.46% 11.95% 14.93% 16.70% 14.83%

PHEV 0.57% 0.70% 1.05% 1.47% 1.17% 1.49% 2.53% 2.63%

HFCEV 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

*Data courtesy Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Electric Vehicle Council

Hybrid sales fell in all states and territories, except for Tasmania. Nationally, they were down 11.73% from Q3 2024 (from 48,282 to 42,618). This reduction of 5,664 vehicles was largely due to weaker sales for Toyota, which were down 6,337 sales on Q3.

The figures cover the final three months before the Federal Government implemented its New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is designed to drive greater sales of EVs and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The scheme took effect in January, and reporting of its effects will start in July.

Trends

There have been significant quarterly fluctuations in car sales over the past two years, producing a clear trend of growth for hybrids but also indicating availability of Toyota models might have a significant impact on the hybrid market.

BEV sales and market share seem to have peaked for now, with both metrics still below their Q2 2024 records.  The third and fourth quarters of 2024 featured lower total car sales than any of the preceding five quarters.

In the first half of 2023, BEVs outsold hybrids, but since then hybrids have outsold BEVs in six consecutive quarters. Hybrids are now outselling BEVs even in the ACT, which has long been Australia’s strongest BEV market.

PHEV sales are growing strongly, but from a low base. PHEV sales are strongest in the ACT (6.35% market share in Q4 2024). Tasmania and the NT had the lowest Q4 PHEV market shares – 1.32% and 1.48% respectively. The five largest states had PHEV market shares between 2.48% (in Queensland) and 2.80% (in Victoria), in line with the national market share of 2.63%.

Incentives and market share trends

Plug-in hybrids are currently exempt from fringe benefits tax, which can save buyers thousands of dollars when buying a new car under a novated lease. But this benefit will end in April 2025.

Government rebates for BEV purchases have now ceased in all states and territories, except Western Australia, which will cease this benefit in May.

Fuel types and vehicle types – Q4 2024

Medium SUVs remain Australia’s most popular vehicle segment. They dominate the hybrid, BEV and PHEV markets, but among ICE vehicles they are the fourth-most popular segment behind 4WD utes, small SUVs and large SUVs.

In the December quarter, more than half (69.95%) of new SUVs sold were ICE. About a fifth (19.34%) were hybrids; 6.61% were BEVs; and 4.10% were PHEVs. Of the 7,556 PHEVs sold in the December quarter, 5,962 (or 78.90%) were medium SUVs.

ICE vehicles still dominated all market segments except for medium cars, with 4,812 (58.05%) being BEVs, 22.52% ICE, 18.78% Hybrids and 0.64% were PHEVs.

ICE also accounted for most sales of small cars (67.67% market share in the December quarter) and large cars (64.99%).

More than 99% of utes and vans sold were ICE vehicles.

EV Index

The AAA EV Index quantifies Australia’s vehicle technology transition. It collates information from multiple national, state and territory sources, including information provided by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council, used with the FCAI’s and the EVC’s permission.

The Index is intended to enable consumers, businesses, and fleet managers to see the trends transforming the national vehicle market. Its online dashboard covers light vehicles of all fuel types.

For more information – including state and territory sales figures – see evindex.au

Globally, manufacturers have committed investment of more than $90 billion to bring new electric models to the market.

• Infrastructure Australia has identified that an EV charging network is a high priority.

• The NSW Government has released the NSW Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Plan which is a significant advancement in government policy in support of EVs and EV charging infrastructure. In relation to EV charging stations, the key actions include:

• - setting a 10 per cent target for new NSW Government general purpose passenger fleet cars from 2020/21 – with 10 per cent of new vehicles purchased or leased by agencies to be electric or hybrid vehicles
• - co-invest in fast chargers in regional NSW on major regional corridors (this is largely private sector driven)
• - co-invest in fast chargers in commuter car parks (this is largely private sector driven)
• - adopt preferred charging standards to guide councils, companies and investment
• - develop guidelines for the installation of charging points in roadside service centres
• - support EV charging through strategic land use planning and guides.

• The NSW Government (Transport for NSW) has developed the ‘NSW Electric Vehicle Charging Program’ which aims to facilitate and engage in partnerships between the public and private sector for the delivery of EV charging stations across metropolitan commuter carparks and key regional road networks.

As a result of this, in August 2021 the council adopted the Northern Beaches Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan to guide the appropriate installation of EV charging infrastructure on the peninsula.

Under the current proposal JOLT, in consultation with Council, applied for a grant for the installation of 15 additional EV chargers through the NSW EV Kerbside Charging Grant program and was successful in  receiving a grant.

Consequently, JOLT applied to Council to progress these locations for installation. As part of Council’s normal processes, community consultation was conducted to gauge the level of support for the proposed chargers.

The community and stakeholder engagement was conducted between 9 August and 8 September 2024 and consisted of a series of activities that provided opportunities for community and stakeholders to contribute.

NSW electric vehicle charging map

Available here: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/electric-vehicles/charging-an-electric-vehicle/nsw-electric-vehicle-charging-map 

1. JOLT Charging Station in Pittwater Park Palm Beach (opposite Barrenjoey House) - CHAdeMO· 25 kW and a CCS· 25 kW
2. Exploren Charging Station at 13 Kalinya street Newport a Type 2 22Kw
3. 2 x Jolt recharging stations at Mona Vale, one at 2 Bungan street the other at 1 Park street; CHAdeMO· 25 kW and a CCS· 25 kW
4. Chargefox Charging Station at 12 Jacksons road Warriewood - CCS· 120 kW of 2/2   and one Type 2· 22 kW
5. AmpCharge Charging Station at 1509-1511 Pittwater road North Narrabeen in the Ampol station - CCS· 150 kW1/1 and a CHAdeMO· 125 kW

NSW Cars: 

• All fuels: 5,676,204
• ICE: 5,464,456
• BEV (battery Electric Vehicle): 49,768
• Hybrid / PHEV: 161,980
• HFCEV: 0

Forestville;  Postcode 2087 (NSW)- (as of February 21, 2025)

• All fuels: 8,639
• ICE: 8,240
• BEV: 147
• Hybrid / PHEV: 252
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 8639

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 794 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 234 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 103 out of 2635

Brookvale;  Postcode 2100 (NSW)

• All fuels: 18,026
• ICE: 17,272
• BEV: 263
• Hybrid / PHEV: 491
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 18026

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 319 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 99 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 114 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 80 out of 609

Narraweena: Postcode 2099 (NSW)

• All fuels: 27,295
• ICE26,171
• BEV263
• Hybrid / PHEV: 861
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 27295

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 135 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 38 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 113 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 79 out of 609

Manly: Postcode 2095 (NSW)

• All fuels: 9,249
• ICE 8,819
• BEV: 182
• Hybrid / PHEV: 248
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 9249

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 751 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 223 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 110 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 76 out of 609

Dee Why (which has 5 charging stations): Postcode 2099 (NSW)

• All fuels: 27,295
• ICE: 26,171
• BEV: 263
• Hybrid / PHEV: 861
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 27295

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 135 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 38 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 113 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 79 out of 609

Compare Pittwater postcodes (as of February 21, 2025): 

Postcode 2108 (NSW) - Palm Beach and surrounds (Mackerel Beach, Whale Beach), bearing in mind the thousands of visitors that drive here annually

• All fuels: 1,497
• ICE: 1,411
• BEV: 42
• Hybrid / PHEV: 44  
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 1497

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 1647 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 474 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country  122 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 88 out of 609

Postcode 2107 (NSW)- Avalon Beach, Clareville, Careel Bay

• All fuels: 11,656
• ICE: 11,180
• BEV: 215
• Hybrid / PHEV: 261
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 11656

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 596 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 176 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 121 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 87 out of 609

Postcode 2106 (NSW) - Newport

• All fuels: 7,279
• ICE7,013
• BEV: 99
• Hybrid / PHEV: 167
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 7279

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 916 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 270 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 120 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 86 out of 609

Postcode 2105 (NSW)

• All fuels: 1,517
• ICE: 1,438
• BEV: 41
• Hybrid / PHEV: 38
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 1517

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 1641 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 472 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country  119 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 85 out of 609

Postcode 2104 (NSW)

• All fuels: 2,973
• ICE: 2,838
• BEV: 62
• Hybrid / PHEV: 73
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 2973

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 1367 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 401 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 118 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 84 out of 609

Postcode 2103 (NSW)

• All fuels: 8,503
• ICE: 8,180
• BEV: 121
• Hybrid / PHEV: 202
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 8503

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 810 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 240 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 117 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 83 out of 609

Postcode 2102 (NSW)

• All fuels: 6,374
• ICE6,165
• BEV: 71
• Hybrid / PHEV: 138
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 6374

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 980 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 290 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 116 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 82 out of 609

Postcode 2101 (NSW)

• All fuels: 14,133
• ICE: 13,721
• BEV: 148
• Hybrid / PHEV: 264
• HFCEV0

All fuels Registrations 14133

• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in country 451 out of 2635
• All fuels registrations — Postcode rank in state 134 out of 609
• All fuels registration penetration 100.00%
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in country 115 out of 2635
• All fuels registration penetration — Postcode rank in state 81 out of 609

Council Report on New EV Charging Sites

Council's consultation shortlisted 13 sites - there is funding to install 11 under the current NSW Government Kerbside EV Charging grant, plus an additional two in lieu of previously approved sites that are no longer feasible.

Proposed locations were:

• Avalon Beach Carpark - 558A Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
• Balgowlah Shops Carpark - 187 Condamine Street, Balgowlah
• Outside 19 Sydenham Road, Brookvale
• Outside 27 Mitchell Road, Brookvale
• Outside 16 Fisher Road, Dee Why
• Fairlight Shops - Sydney Road, Fairlight (at Hilltop Crescent)
• Forestville Seniors Centre Carpark 1 - Starkey Street (corner of Warringah Road), Forestville
• Forestville Seniors Centre Carpark 2 - Starkey Street (corner of Warringah Road), Forestville
• West Esplanade - opposite 75 West Esplanade, Manly
• Victoria Parade - outside 29 East Esplanade, Manly
• Narraweena Shops Carpark - 52 May Road, Narraweena
• Outside 327 Barrenjoey Road, Newport
• Battle Boulevarde (Spit Bridge) Carpark, Seaforth
• Sturdee Parade, Dee Why - replacing Oaks Avenue (cnr The Strand), Dee Why**
• South Steyne, Manly - opposite side of the street from the previous proposal**.

**These two sites replace two that had been approved in 2023 but can no longer go ahead.

The council report tabled on the same also found several other locations were ‘not supported’; 

• 187 Condamine Street, Balgowlah - Not feasible; Cost prohibitive for the provider
• Outside 27 Mitchell Road, Brookvale Not supported Proximity to 19 Sydenham Road site, volume of traffic 
• Outside 16 Fisher Road, Dee Why Not supported Proximity to Pittwater Road, limited footpath, traffic, and parking impact 
• Fairlight Shops Sydney Road, Fairlight (at Hilltop Crescent) Not supported Alternate location nearby could be considered, subject to further investigation and removal of advertising
• Starkey Street (corner of Warringah Road), Forestville Not supported Proximity to high pedestrian demand area and bus infrastructure  
• Opposite 75 West Esplanade, Manly Not supported Advertising and parking demand issues
• Battle Boulevarde (Spit Bridge) Carpark, Seaforth Not supported Proximity to Manly Road site, limited community use, and existing parking spaces 
• Sturdee Parade Sturdee Parade, Dee Why Not supported Advertising, residential amenity, and parking demand issues 
• South Steyne, Manly Not supported Advertising, footpath clutter, and parking demand issues

Council states feedback was captured through a social map that asked people to vote thumbs up or thumbs down on each of the proposed locations. An online comment form was also embedded onto the have your say project page. The form included an open-field comments box, providing community members a space to explain or elaborate on their support, not support or neutral sentiment as well as any other feedback they wished to contribute.

The key themes from the engagement process were cost and community need, locations, commercial interests, advertising, planning approval, charger type, social, enforcement, economic, and environmental. 

Primary reasons for support were the expected environmental benefits of promoting electric vehicle adoption, along with addressing the potential future demand. Many respondents indicated that, while they support the provision of infrastructure, the council needed to make further minor changes or additions to ensure that the locations are sustainable, effective and not impacting on key locations.

Many felt the proposal did not provide enough EV charging stations in locations across the peninsula. Specific charging station locations, including tourist destinations (to encourage visitors) and at the beach carparks were also mentioned.

Positive submissions called for:

• more locations to be considered for chargers to be installed, without advertising, to bring more competition into the area
• fast chargers to be installed to maximise the use of the infrastructure
• a wider range of locations to allow residents without access to home charging options to access public chargers
• more chargers be installed in car parks rather than on street spaces.
• Key concerns raised were:
• the cost to Council for the dedicated sites compared with the limited fees paid by the provider
• the locations removing parking for other users
• visual clutter and the significant impact of the advertising on local amenity
• safety concerns around the locations near residential buildings.

Council's report states feedback themes also showed community concerns were raised regarding locations due to the advertising component of the proposal, with site selection appearing to be more about the location for an advertising return rather than community need for charging at the proposed locations.

Compatibility issues and charging levels preference were also raised. These respondents wanted to ensure that all models of cars would be able to use the charging stations and that ultra-rapid chargers (aim for 50kw) were the preferred option.

A majority of respondents questioned the need for advertising on the infrastructure and supported pole mounted, or discrete charger options without advertising which they saw as detrimental to the local environment, or a privatisation of public space.

Several respondents indicated that the charging stations should be a user pays system, or the EV manufacturer should pay for the charging infrastructure. They expressed that Council should not be involved with providing free charging for a small minority of people with electric vehicles. Other respondents noted that there were not enough EVs on the peninsula currently to warrant the expenditure for charging infrastructure or that it was a waste of ratepayers’ money.

In the current 2024/25 adopted fees and charges, Council charges an application fee of $1,619 per EV location. This covers the cost of staff time assessing the location, undertaking the necessary community engagement and reporting to the Northern Beaches Council Local Traffic Committee, along with the preparation of the any work instructions required to install the signage and line-marking component of the site.