A proposal for a new electric vehicle charging station at the Oamaru Harbour has been declined.
Network Waitaki’s chosen site at the eastern side of Scotts Brewing Co was voted down by the Waitaki District Council’s harbour area committee on Tuesday.
Network Waitaki has received government funding to install new charging stations, which it is required to use by June 30, and wanted to install a second charging station in Oamaru to meet growing demand.
Several of the harbour area committee’s community representatives were concerned about the “sight line” where the charging station was proposed and future developments with electric vehicles.
Community representative Kevin Murdoch asked if any other sites had been suggested or considered by Network Waitaki.
He was concerned installing one charging station at the proposed site would open the floodgates for more charging stations in the area.
“As we get more into electric cars, is it going to be six, seven, eight?” Mr Murdoch said.
“Are we going to have a whole lot of charging stations right there?”
Fellow community representative George Kelcher agreed, and said a charging station in the car park opposite The Galley, behind the bike park, would be more appropriate.
The station could be placed against the fence at the north end of the car park, to be less intrusive and more aesthetically pleasing, he said.
“I think while we’re not committing to future charging stations, if electric cars become what everyone seems to think they will, there will be rows of charges,” Mr Kelcher said.
“It is good to invite people down to that area, that’s what we try to do as part of the harbour committee, but we want to retain the visual aspects.”
Community representative Philippa Agnew said a charging station behind the brewery could be more appropriate, and Councillor Colin Wollstein agreed.
The committee voted for council staff to discuss the alternative site at the car park opposite The Galley with Network Waitaki.
It also asked for a possible power supply for events held at the site, too.
- Kayla Hodge
