FAQs

The implementation of an Electric Vehicle Position Paper is a key action (Action 3.8) within Council’s Climate Strategy 2050 – Thrive. Design. Lead.

It provides a clear framework for how Council will support the community’s transition to electric vehicles in a way that aligns with our climate goals, protects the public domain, and ensures equitable access to charging.

In Sutherland Shire, cars, motorbikes, trucks, trains and buses, collectively referred to as transport, are responsible for 30% of all community emissions. Modelling from the Resilient Sydney net zero tool shows that emission reductions from electric vehicles is the second largest ‘intervention’ that can be taken to reduce community emissions (FOGO is the largest).

Sutherland Shire Council continues to prioritise pedestrians first, followed by people riding bicycles, using public transport, service vehicles, shared mobility and private motor vehicles.

However, as passenger vehicles continue to be an important part of the transport system, reducing the emissions intensity of this travel has a significant and direct impact on Sutherland Shire’s total emissions.

The EV position paper outlines Sutherland Shire Council’s role in enabling EV uptake by supporting infrastructure for residents and businesses. It aligns with the NSW Government’s target of 52% EV sales by 2030–31 and the Australian Government’s commitment to rapid EV adoption.

While charging will mainly occur at home or in the workplace, Council’s position is to support and facilitate equitable access to EV charging especially for residents living in apartments or houses without off-street parking. Public charging spaces enable residents without off-street parking to charge their vehicles. They also allow visitors and ride-sharing vehicles to charge on the go.

While refuelling vehicles remains a private matter, Council can actively support the community to move towards low and zero-emission vehicles and phase out of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles through the following 8 spheres of influence:

Protecting public domain, and facilitating off-street EV charging

1. Partnerships with Ausgrid and EV Charge Point Operators
2. Implementing EV ready strategic planning, development controls and regulations
3. Installing public EV chargers at Council facilities and car parks
4. Delivering EV education and advocacy
5. Supporting community to be net zero by 2050
6. Leading by example by transitioning Council’s fleet to net zero
7. Advocating for and supporting grid modernisation and resilience.  

Council’s Public Domain Strategy outlines the key outcomes which will contribute to enhancing active lives in the Shire’s shopping centres and across the public domain spaces within Council’s road reserves of the Sutherland Shire.

Given the high demand for parking in town centres, an ongoing concern for both residents and visitors, Council’s Public Domain Strategy does not support kerbside EV charging. This position is based on two key considerations:

• Limited parking availability: Dedicating kerbside spaces exclusively for EV charging could reduce general parking capacity.
• Pedestrian safety: Charging cables across footpaths pose potential trip hazards and accessibility issues.

Sutherland Shire Council is proposing not to own, install, or manage public EV charging infrastructure for the following practical and strategic reasons:

• High costs and technical demands: Installing and maintaining EV chargers requires significant upfront capital, ongoing operational costs, and specialised technical expertise.
• Rapid technological advancements: EV charging technology is evolving quickly, with frequent updates to hardware, software, and standards. Partnering with private providers who are better equipped to keep pace with innovation ensures our community benefits from the latest solutions.
• Strategic role through partnerships: By facilitating EV infrastructure through planning, policy, and partnerships rather than direct ownership, Council can leverage private investment, reduce financial risk, and focus on strategic oversight.
• Leadership without operational burden: Supporting third-party investment in EV infrastructure allows Council to play a leadership role in climate action while avoiding the full burden of infrastructure delivery and maintenance.

Car parks provide controlled, safe, and accessible environments for piloting EV infrastructure, while protecting the public domain. Car parks offer a practical solution for residents, especially apartment dwellers and renters, who may not have access to private off-street charging facilities.

EV chargers in town centre and train station car parks are designed to encourage local visitation. Residents and visitors can conveniently charge their vehicles while shopping, dining, or exploring the area, supporting both sustainability and local business.

Council does not support EV charging infrastructure that includes advertising elements. This reflects our commitment to preserve the visual integrity of public spaces and avoid conflicts with existing public advertising contracts.

Private investment in public EV chargers within service stations, shopping centres, restaurants, and commercial premises is occurring for several strategic and practical reasons:

• High foot traffic and dwell time: These locations naturally attract large numbers of people who spend time shopping, dining, or using services. Since EV charging typically takes 30 minutes to a few hours, these dwell times align perfectly with customer activities, making charging convenient and productive.
• Increase revenue and customer loyalty: Businesses benefit from EV drivers staying longer while their vehicles charge, which often translates into increased spending.
• Attracting Eco-conscious customers: EV drivers tend to be environmentally conscious and often seek out businesses that align with their values. Installing chargers helps commercial premises appeal to this growing customer base and enhances brand reputation as a forward-thinking, sustainable business.
• Supporting widespread EV adoption: By placing chargers in everyday destinations, businesses help reduce range anxiety and make EV ownership more practical. This contributes to broader sustainability goals and supports the transition to cleaner transportation.

Some of the following factors are considered when selecting car park locations for EV charging infrastructure includes:

• Proximity and access to town centres, tourist destinations, and community facilities.
• Availability of electrical infrastructure (such as suitable wooden power poles), parking spaces, lighting, and footpath space.
• Proximity of apartment buildings or dwellings without off-street parking.
• Resourcing for monitoring and enforcing parking regulations
• Suitable classification of the car park including compliance with licencing and/ or leasing conditions.
• Proximity to other public EV chargers.

To find out more about how you can install electric vehicle charging in your strata, visit NSW Government's Guide to Making Your Residential Strata Building EV Ready

As of June 2025, EVs account for 1.52% of the 202,409 registered vehicles in the Sutherland Shire. This includes:

• 2,594 battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
• 481 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)

Source: TfNSW registration snapshot, accessed June 2025

There are currently 53 publicly accessible EV charging ports at 17 locations across Sutherland Shire:

• Seven locations with Level 2 chargers, providing 16 charge ports
• 10 locations with Level 3 chargers, offering 37 charge ports. Comprising:
  1. Six existing locations offering 23 charge ports
  2. Four locations currently under construction with 14 charge ports

The location of these chargers can be found at PlugShare - EV Charging Station Map - Find a place to charge your car!

In June 2025, the NSW Government announced new funding to enhance electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the Sutherland Shire. As part of this initiative, Level 3 fast chargers will be installed at Taren Point Bowling Club, Gymea Tradies, Miranda Mall and Illawong Shopping Centre. There will also be pole-mounted EVCI installed within Kirrawee and Gymea town centre car parks.

These public investments complement ongoing private sector contributions, which are also expanding the number of EV charging sites and available charge ports across the local government area.

Charging data collected from these installations will help guide future planning and deployment across the Shire.