Labor Councillors drive ‘EV Ready’ planning controls
Novocastrians are beginning to take up electric vehicles (EVs) in record numbers, with reports of new EV sales tripling in the last year. There are now 34 different EV models, with 69 variants, available on the Australian market. Carmakers including Mazda, Nissan, Volvo, General Motors and Ford, have set timelines to phase out petrol and diesel cars and become 100 per cent electric from 2030.
Locally, the City has been leading the charge, beginning the transition of its own operational fleet to electric. Earlier this year, City of Newcastle took delivery of its first electric truck, adding to the range of EV vehicles already in use.
As momentum builds towards an electric future, the City of Newcastle’s Labor Councillors are ensuring that new development is ‘EV Ready’ through modifications to the City’s Development Control Plan (DCP) at tonight’s Council Meeting.
Currently, there are no planning controls in Newcastle requiring electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new development.
The changes, to be based on the best practice, will require future development in the City to be EV Ready through simple changes like appropriate conduit and electrical cabling to enable the installation of future charging stations in carparks and garages. The cost of inclusion at the development stage is very low, estimated at between $50-300 per park, much cheaper than future retrofitting. Additionally, new commercial and large scale residential development will be required to install charging stations to service 5% of their new car parking spaces.
The changes will apply to all development over $200,000 and any development that involves garages and parking that requires approval via Development Application from the City of Newcastle.
Following discussion at tonight’s council meeting, the changes will be publicly exhibited for 28 days, prior to final consideration and adoption by the Council.
Quotes attributable to Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk:
“As the world moves towards electric vehicles, it’s appropriate that building standards also adapt.
“In 5-10 years, we know that many garages across the City will be home to an electric vehicle. By requiring that new buildings are EV Ready, through simple actions like installing appropriate cabling when buildings are constructed, we’ll be ensuring that the City is ready for the future.
“The City has a key role to play in supporting electric vehicles. Under Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes’ leadership, we have rolled out new public charging infrastructure from Wallsend to the Foreshore, and are transitioning our own fleet of vehicles. Shifting our building standards to best practice is another step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future for our region.
“A third of Novocastrians rent their home today, with limited opportunities to make modifications like installing new electrical wiring. Development controls like our policy proposes are a simple way that we can ensure that future occupiers – be they owners or tenants – can easily transition to EVs, without the hassle and high expenses associated with future retrofitting.
“Having this option increases attractiveness of homes to residents - whether tenants or owners - who want to have the choice of being able to own an electric vehicle, now or in the future
“It’s a simple policy that is a win for residents, future drivers and our environment.