Since 2020, we have been working with neighbouring councils in the Central Victorian region to identify priority locations for electric vehicle (EV) charging; this work has provided public charging stations in Woodend, Kyneton, Romsey, Lancefield and Macedon.

In 2024, Council enlisted the Institute for Sensible Transport to map optimal locations for public EV charging on Council land. This work identified suitable sites and recommended the types and number of charge points needed to meet current and projected demand through to 2030.

In 2025, Council and project partners led a Expression of Interest process to gauge the interest of private charging operators (CPOs) to invest in, install, operate, and maintain chargers at identified sites on Council land.

Now, we are participating in a limited Request for Tender process to further explore the feasibility of installing more EV charging stations at pre-assessed locations, but are first keen to hear the thoughts of the community.

When working with the Institute for Sensible Transport, a technical feasibility assessment of the charging sites was carried out by an electrical engineer. This gave Council and CPOs greater certainty of nearby electricity supply. Without this assessment, site may seem suitable but not host the right electrical infrastructure to allow an EV charging station to be installed.

Other factors considered when assessing EV site locations include:

• Strategic need – where can we fill gaps in the charging network
• Road traffic – where is convenient for daily driving patterns
• Tourism hotspots – most public charging will be done by visitors to the shire
• Public car park – council owned land was prioritised for ease of approval processes
• Pull through – increasingly EV’s have towing capability, yet charging stations rarely cater to towing vehicles
• Amenities – shade, lighting, café, recreation areas and public toilets all make charging locations more desirable
• Natural hazards – flood and fire risk should always be a consideration for public infrastructure
• All abilities access – as per Australian Minimum Standards for EV charging

We want to play a supporting role in expanding public EV charging to:

• Increase access to public EV chargers, especially making sure regional towns are better covered and locations are more fairly distributed.
• Help private companies invest in and build charging stations on suitable council-owned land that councils approve.
• Deliver benefits for local residents, visitors and businesses.
• Put in place infrastructure and initiatives that help reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in the community.

We know that 90% of EV charging happens in drivers homes, so these charging stations will be used by visitors to the shire.

Where possible, Council aims to establish ‘fast’ charging infrastructure. This is charging stations that have a charging speed capability of 50kWh and over. This type of charging suits our regional and peri-urban context and is suitable for visitor charging. Good examples of these charging stations in Woodend, Kyneton, Lancefield, Romsey and Macedon.

In some instances, charging stations may not have access to the adequate electrical infrastructure to support fast charging. These chargers will appear much smaller. These smaller chargers may also be more suitable in areas with heritage values and established streetscape aesthetics.

We know EV charging will need to grow across the Macedon Ranges over time. For this project, we've focused on towns that don't currently have a public EV charging station:

• Gisborne
• Malmsbury
• Riddells Creek

This consultation is only seeking feedback on the proposed locations in these towns. Other locations across the shire may be considered as EV charging infrastructure expands in the future.