- Guidance released to support delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
- Early consideration of EV charging infrastructure requirements prevents costly retrofit
- New policy supports State Electric Vehicle Strategy to create clean energy future
The State Government has released a new position statement to support the timely and coordinated delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Western Australia.
With growing interest in EVs locally and globally, the new Position Statement: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure aims to assist proponents and planning decision-makers by encouraging early consideration of EV needs in new development projects and coordinating a streamlined approvals process for EV charging infrastructure.
The new policy supports the Western Australian Climate Policy and State Electric Vehicle Strategy, which aims to increase the uptake of EVs in WA to deliver cleaner, more sustainable transport for our State's future.
Early consideration in the planning phase of EV charging infrastructure needs by both Local Governments and proponents is a critical part of the policy to ensure such amenities are accounted for in the design and building phase of new developments, saving on costly retrofitting.
The position statement will support proponents and planning decision-makers by advocating for:
- A consistent planning approach across Local Government, including consideration of public works and appropriate locations for infrastructure;
- A streamlined approvals process, as well as guidance on when development approvals should not be required, and;
- Recommended charging level (general power, alternating current, or direct current) provisionsfor various land uses including residential developments, freeway service stations, beaches, hospitals, and other preferred locations.
The policy was informed by public consultation and engagement with key industry and government stakeholders, which indicated strong support for the guidance provided by the position statement.
As stated by Planning Minister John Carey:
"Our State is well on the way to creating a cleaner, more sustainable form of transport for our future.
"We're stimulating EV uptake through the Clean Energy Car Fund and installing charging stations across the State to deliver Australia's largest EV fast charging network.
"This position statement will support those efforts and is crucial to steering us in the right direction for better coordination of planning approaches to deliver EV charging infrastructure.
"It will provide Local Government with guidance when preparing local planning policies related to EV charging infrastructure, as well as encourage proponents to consider EV charging needs in new developments from the outset of planning."
As stated by Energy and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby:
"EVs will play a critical role in WA's decarbonisation journey, which is why it's so important that developers consider the need for charging infrastructure when planning new builds.
"This policy builds on the Cook Labor Government's proud record of streamlining approvals and cutting red tape for projects that will help WA achieve net zero emissions by 2050."
