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Gold Coast City Council pulls plug on electric charging stations as officers prepare for Plan B

Ten public charging stations across the Gold Coast have been suddenly switched off, leaving electric vehicle owners scrambling to find alternatives. FULL DETAILS

Council has pulled the plug on ten electric vehicle charging stations, causing an outcry from vehicle users across the city.

This masthead has received numerous complaints from electric vehicle owners saying the sites had been shut down during the past six months.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday councillors signed off on a 2025-30 electric vehicle management plan.

However the City later confirmed it had decommissioned its ten electric vehicle charging stations.

Council entered an agreement with Brisbane company Tritium to provide the stations in 2021. The company was later placed in voluntary administration before being bought out by an overseas firm.

“The City made the difficult decision to decommission its 10 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in June due to challenges with sourcing parts and reliable servicing options,” a City spokesperson said.

A driver uses one of the charging stations at Kurrawa Surf Club in Broadbeach in January 2021. Photo: Scott Powick.
A driver uses one of the charging stations at Kurrawa Surf Club in Broadbeach in January 2021. Photo: Scott Powick.

“Unfortunately, due to these challenges, the EV chargers’ performance declined where they were no longer reliable and the stations’ availability was not at the high standard we would expect for customers.”

Council officials have presented an Electric Vehicle Charging Management Plan to its transport committee, proposing a new framework for future deployment of EV charging stations.

In January 2021 the City had unveiled a “world-first” electric vehicle charging station at Broadbeach’s Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, announcing similar spots would be built at Coolangatta, Southport, Pimpama, Carrara, Bundall and Nerang.

A Nerang motorist told this masthead the latest announcement amounted to a “dim view of the Glitter Strip”.

“Remember, out-of-town EV owner tourists can’t pop home and plug in their cars. They depend on public chargers,” the motorist said.

A Gold Coast City Council electric car charging station.
A Gold Coast City Council electric car charging station.

“As for running costs, the GCCC is the second largest local authority in Australia. It should be setting the standard in encouraging the use of non-fossil fuels.”

Councillor Glenn Tozer, at the transport committee meeting, told councillors: “We need to make a plan. It is anticipated that between now and 2030 we will move to about 25 per cent of our fleet electric vehicles.

“There’s a body of work that needs to be done in managing our electric vehicles. But also the take-up in the market place is so profound, that it makes sense for council to look at these sorts of charging stations in key locations that make sense for us.

A Gold Coast City Council electric car charging station.
A Gold Coast City Council electric car charging station.

“It’s important for the public to know – with regards to the trial, council is in the black. We have covered our costs and looking at money left over.”

A City spokesperson said the plan would include proposing a new framework for future deployment of EV charging stations.

“In the meantime, we remind the community that there are more than 67 alternative charging locations around the city, with this number growing,” the spokesperson said.

Electric vehicle operators are advised to go to www.plugshare.com for details.

paul.weston@news.com.au

Originally published as Gold Coast City Council pulls plug on electric charging stations as officers prepare for Plan B

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-city-council-pulls-plug-on-electric-charging-stations-as-officers-prepare-for-plan-b/news-story/7db292dd4b050c033ca89b5484e8f053