Couple’s ‘risky’ electric vehicle solution attracts $330 threat from council
It's an issue becoming increasingly prevalent across local councils in Australia. One Sydneysider says he's got the solution.
A couple living in an affluent harbourside suburb say they've become the latest in a long list of Aussies to be threatened with a hefty fine for charging their electric vehicle from their home onto the street. It's an increasingly common scenario, and now one man believes he's got the answer.
Yahoo News Australia previously reported that North Shore local John Slaytor was earlier threatened with a $330 fine for running a cable from his home across a public footpath to charge his Tesla. The Waverton resident, who resides with his partner Chantal Decaluwe, said there's limited street parking in their area and other options to charge up cost them money.
Slaytor said because of his solar panels, charging his Tesla from home is "free" during the day in off-peak times, or "just under $5" to do so at night. Using publicly available charger ports costs around $60.
They've been warned by North Sydney Council that should they be caught running a cable across a publicly-owned footpath again — despite it being fitted with a trip hazard protector — they'll cop a $330 fine. But according to Slaytor, the entire ordeal could be involved with the implementation of permit system for people who can prove their charging set-up is safe.
Increasingly common scenario across Aussie councils
"It's saying [in] a nutshell that placing an electrical cable is a breach," Decaluwe told A Current Affair.
"Late at night we were laying the cable across the footpath for about a metre," Slaytor said. "This is a dead end street, no one is here late at night." But North Sydney Council argue "the placement of charging cables in public spaces pose significant risks to public safety."
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"I do not understand how we can cause a risk to pedestrians when the cables are covered and it is an approved safety device," Decaluwe said. "We are going to have to rely on the charging in the area which are not easy find. There is not that many."
EV owners across the country have long been calling for more public chargers, with many warning the uptake of electric vehicle ownership in Australia is outpacing the infrastructure. Slaytor is now calling for a permit system for those who can prove their set-up is safe.
"We are in a climate emergency. Everything we can do to make it easier to own electric vehicles should be considered," Slaytor said.
Council's stance on public footpath charging
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for North Sydney Council detailed their stance on the matter. "Council has a responsibility to ensure public safety, including the safety of pedestrians using our public footpaths," the spokesperson told Yahoo.
"Electrical cables that run across footpaths are a trip hazard and a risk to public safety, as well as being unlawful. Warnings are issued for first offences where possible. Over the past year, council has issued fewer than ten warnings and no fines.
"We encourage residents who are not able to charge electric vehicles on their own properties to make use of the charging facilities available at five Council car parks."
Those car parks within LGA are made up of the: Alexander Street, Holtermann Street, Hume Street and the Nicholson Street car parks in Crows Nest and the Ridge Street car park in North Sydney."
"Electrical cables that run across footpaths are a risk to public safety, as well as being a breach of the Local Government Act 1993," the spokesperson said.
"A $330 on-the-spot fine applies, however we issue warnings for first offences where possible."
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