CASTERTON locals are rejecting a proposal to use parking space near the Town Hall on Henty Street as the charging stop of choice for electric vehicle owners passing through.

Council revealed proposed sites for Casterton and Portland via Facebook last Thursday and invited responses via separate online surveys on the Your Say Glenelg website.

The survey asks respondents whether they support the usage of the parking spaces and agree access to charging stations adds to Casterton’s tourism offering.

It also asks if respondents agree it meets requirements of public accessibility, proximity to amenities and access to an adequate power supply, while also seeking further comments on the proposal.

The Facebook announcement had drawn almost 100 responses at time of going to print – a mix of both positive and negative – and Casterton News received last-minute notice, that and an Evie Networks representative wouldbe available at the Kelpie Centre on Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm to answer community questions about the charging station.

It is unclear whether that was planned, or in response to the social media feedback.

The charging station proposal published by the Glenelg Shire comes after it received State Government funds supporting new charging stations, would see space in front of a nearby power pole to the hall leased to developer Evie Networks to build two designated parking spaces and a charging unit for electric vehicles.

With electric vehicles increasing in popularity worldwide, the shire’s project, which also plans to construct stations in Portland and Dartmoor, is intended to promote environmental sustainability while also making the area more attractive for tourism as visitors stop and explore while charging their vehicles.

The project is supported by the Victorian Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria program, which has provided $5 million in grants to establish a state-wide network of public fast-charging stations.

However, the usage of pre-existing public parking – which would disallow non-electric vehicles from using it after the station’s installation – is already under fire.

Local resident Betty Cook said she was against the suggested Henty St location as it would take up space used by Casterton people.

“I’m not anti- the charging stations, I’m anti- where they are,” she said.

“We are an ageing community and you’ve got those two particular (carparks) where people stop off.”

Aside from the Town Hall and its library, the closest businesses to the parking spaces are Casterton Newsagent and Glenn Howell Optometrist, as well as what will be the home of Meridian Agriculture.

Another local, Helen Sims said she was also concerned with electric vehicles blocking space on the street for charging, where residents stopped to access shops.

“I feel for a main highway, it’s inappropriate to have the power outlets in the main street, especially when you’ve got a funeral or people trying to get to the library or the toilets when, after hours, the town hall is shut,” she said.

Both Mrs Cook and Mrs Sims said the Kelpie Centre, which was a three-minute walk from the Town Hall, would be a more appropriate location.

“(Visitors) can go to the shops from the Kelpie Centre,” Ms Cook said.

“They have their info on the town right there and can walk down to the shops while their cars are charging.

“We want all the visitors we can get.”

Casterton Business and Development Association chairman, Owen Stephens, also said the Kelpie Centre would be a suitable alternative.

“We would see that as a much more conducive position for those stations and more practical,” he said.

“We really wouldn’t be in favour of those parking spaces being taken up on the main street.”

However, a spokesperson for the Glenelg Shire told the Casterton News the Kelpie Centre had been the first choice of location for the station.

“Further investigation has shown that this site is not possible,” she said.

“Due to the building’s complex networking and cabling system, it is impossible to get power connected for the charging station at this location.”

On-street parking within the vicinity of the Kelpie Centre had also been investigated, as well as off-street parking behind the Town Hall.

The spokesperson also said the idea behind the site was to help boost the local economy as charging an electric car would take approximately 40 minutes.

“Drivers will be encouraged to use this charging time to shop in the heart of the Casterton CBD and inject funds into local shops and cafes,” she said.

Evie Networks faces a proposed “peppercorn rent” of just $1 per annum to use the site.

The spokesperson said the reasoning behind the proposed lease was the “public benefit” surrounding the installation.

“The charging bays will attract economic activity to the town by encouraging people to stop and shop,” she said.

“In addition the contractor … does not expect to see a return on investment for at least five years due to the number of electric vehicles currently in operation.”

The spokesperson was also asked whether there was a contingency plan for allowing vehicle charging on occasions where access to the site would be blocked – such as during the annual Kelpie Muster – and said such occasions would be “extremely rare”.

“If this was to occur there is an existing charging station at Island Park Caravan Park that can be utilised,” she said.

The station at the Caravan Park features Tesla and three phase plugs, which may not be compatible with all electric vehicles.

A final decision from council on the Henty St site will come after community consultation which closes next Friday at 5pm.

Online responses can be submitted via the Your Say Glenelg website at www.yoursay.glenelg.vic.gov.au, while written submissions can be dropped off at the Casterton Town Hall.

Glenelg Shire councillor, Karen Stephens said she encouraged locals to provide comment on the proposal.

“I personally encourage anybody in the community to have a look at it and if they have comment, to please make comment,” she said.

Full details on the proposal are also available on the Your Say Glenelg website.

Previous discussions with the Dartmoor community in December for a charging station near the Memorial Hall, were received positively by locals, with concerns about the potential impact on Greenham Street’s commemorative statues and residences addressed.

A nine-year lease on the Dartmoor site to Evie Networks was approved unanimously by the council in December, with Evie to pay for the power used at the site and cover all installation costs.

New charging sites for Casterton and Portland were planned but yet to be finalised at the time, remaining under negotiation as they required the approval of VicRoads and what is now the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

According to the State Government, all three stations are to feature CCS2 and CHAdeMO plugs, which are popular charging systems overseas but not yet present in the area.

The government estimates all three projects to be completed by 31 July, 2023.