Old Gaol stations approved to boost Albany’s electric vehicle-charging capabilities

Eight electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in a new carpark to be constructed outside Albany’s Old Gaol.

Tesla will install and operate six super-charging stations, while two fast-charger stations will be controlled by Synergy.

City of Albany councillors unanimously approved the two separate applications at their ordinary meeting last week.

Once installed, the eight EV chargers will bring the total number of charging points in Albany to 19.

Public charging points are available at McDonald’s Orana, The Sandalwood Factory and in the City’s library carpark.

The remaining charging points are operated by accommodation providers for their guests.

Tesla operates the 11kW charging station in the library carpark and initially offered to install a further three 250kW super charging stations at the same location in June last year.

After a feasibility assessment determined the site would require extensive substation and rewiring upgrades, Tesla requested six stations on the lot to make the proposal more viable.

The company presented its case to councillors in July this year when it was determined the Old Gaol carpark would be a more suitable location.

The two Synergy fast-charging stations will form part of the State’s EV Highway Network which the company claims will be the “Australia’s longest electric vehicle network”.

The proposed network will run from Kununurra through Esperance to Eucla, and include the installation of 98 charging stations.

Before the installation of any charging stations, the City will design and undertake construction works for a carpark on the crown reserve at the corner of Festing Street and Residency Road.

The area is already used “informally” for parking.

The costs of constructing the carpark have been included in the City’s annual budget after its development application was approved in April. A condition is that existing mature trees will not be adversely affected.