Local businesses will soon be able to capitalise on the trend toward electric vehicles, with Berrigan Shire Council announcing it will be installing eight fast charging EV stations.
Funded under a NSW grant, Mayor Matt Hannan said key destinations used by both tourists and locals have been identified as locations.
These include: Tocumwal Aerodrome, Tocumwal Foreshore, Apex Park Berrigan, Hayes Park Berrigan, Railway Park Finley, Barooga Botanic Gardens, Barooga Sporties, Barooga Library.
Cr Hannan said given Berrigan Shire was initially left of the EV charging map, it is a win for the region.
He said the move not only provides an option for locals wanting to go electric, but is another box to tick on the tourism front.
“When the initial study was done on potential routes for electric vehicle charging, I believe Berrigan Shire was left off the map,” Cr Hannan said.
“And now we are going to have eight stations.
“It allows us to offer opportunities to those who want to make the switch to electric.
“We were also aware that if there were no charging points in Berrigan Shire, those people with electric cars were either going to bypass us or never stop.
“It is important to provide for those people, and the locations are all sympathetic for the traveller.”
Cr Hannan said being involved in the program, and being provided funding for charging stations, was a “move forward in the right direction”.
People in our communities are conscious of the environment and carbon emissions, and now we have the ability to offer those people choice.“
The funding program offered through the Office of Energy and Climate Control is specifically aimed at showcasing regional towns and attracting tourists.
Locations are usually selected carefully to allow electric vehicle owners to shop and dine while they recharge.