Livingstone explores EV charge station opportunities ‘across the shire’

As a statewide rollout of EV charge stations reaches the remote town of Injune, the meter is running for Livingstone Shire Council to kickstart its own stalled project.

Evie Networks is Australia's largest EV charging provider. Photo: Supplied

Livingstone Shire Council says it has “reached out” to the major players involved with its attempt to resurrect the stalled installation of an electric charge station project at Yeppoon.

CEO Terry Dodds said council had approached charge station company Evie Networks and the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority “to explore opportunities for installing public EV charging infrastructure across the Shire”.

That move follows last week decision by Evie Networks to withdraw its proposal for a fast charge station in Yeppoon due to “reputational risk” and “hefty Ergon tariff charges” after a divided council earlier in the month paused the project on the back of Mayor Adam Belot’s concerns over media reports on alleged ethical and environmental issues with construction of electric vehicles.

Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot.

Council on Thursday, April 24 overturned the decision on a motion from Cr Belot following further research into the issues by a number of councillors.

Mr Dodd said he would contact Evie Networks immediately after the meeting to see if it would reconsider the Yeppoon project given council’s decision to rescind the previous motion.

Council, which has struggled for almost a decade to attract investment in a charging station, is also facing a funding deadline if it needs to find another provider, as the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority scheme for advancing the state’s electric highway expires at the end of 2025.

State Government map showing the rollout plan for EV charge stations.

Mr Dodd was also seeking advice from QRIDA to see if “alternative providers” could be approached under the scheme in order to continue progressing the project.

The Evie project had been estimated at $320,000, at no charge to council, which would also receive $4,000 annually for 15 years, plus CPI in license fees by providing the land (road reserve) for the chargers to be installed on.

Mr Dodd said in a statement this week that council would keep the community informed “as new developments arise”.

“Council’s economic development team continues to work closely with Capricorn Enterprise and local community EV advocates to encourage tourist operators and commercial businesses to invest in EV charging solutions to meet the growing needs of both residents and visitors,” he said.

Council was pressed on when it had made contact with Evie and QRIDA and if it was waiting for a response but declined to answer.

‘EV owners currently bypass tourist town’

At last week’s meeting, Australian Electric Vehicle Association member Arthur Hunt said the decision by council to proceed with its plan to attract investment in an EV charge station would be “celebrated by EV owners” across Australia.

Mr Hunt said many tourists driving EV vehicles currently bypassed the Capricorn Coast because there were no charge stations on the Plug Share App they use to plan their trips.

He said there were over 55,000 electric vehicles registered in Queensland with ownership increasing rapidly and Yeppoon needed to be on the charge station map.

The State Government reports that phase three of its Queensland Electric Super Highway program will add 23 locations to the existing network to link more regional and rural locations through access to a fast-charging infrastructure network of 54 locations across Queensland.

Phase three of the government funded rollout is almost complete, with Barcaldine, Blackall, the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton, Charleville, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cunnamulla, Dingo, Esk, Goondiwindi, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Kingaroy, Longreach, Miles, Mount Isa, Richmond, Roma, St George, Stanthorpe and Winton all commissioned.

The remaining three fast-charging sites at Station St, Injune, Dundas St, Emerald and Warrijo St, Rolleston are expected to be commissioned by the end of May or early June 2025. However there has been some delays in delivery due to severe weather conditions in Queensland.

Originally published as Livingstone explores EV charge station opportunities ‘across the shire’