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The Strata Community Association (NSW) sounded off its approval of the NSW government’s funding boost that is seen to further the electric vehicle (EV) revolution not just in the state but across the country.
The industry body for the state’s strata sector welcomed the state government’s announcement of a $38 million budget allocation towards the rollout of EV charging on 20 June.
Out of the total amount, $10 million will be funnelled towards co-financing around 125 medium and large apartment buildings that have more than 100 car parking spaces to make EV charging electrical upgrades.
Notably, the figures represent the single biggest commitment by a state or territory government towards supporting EV charging in strata-titled properties, such as apartment buildings.
A further breakdown of the figures showed that $10 million would finance the establishment of 500 kerbside charge points to provide on-street charging in residential streets where private off-street parking is limited.
Meanwhile, the remaining $18 million will go towards EV fast-charging grants to speed up the rollout of charging stations in high-density urban areas.
The additional funding increases the state’s EV investment from $595 to $633 million under its Electric Vehicle Strategy, which envisions making the state the easiest place to buy and use an EV in the country.
The significant funding for EV infrastructure is also a significant win for the SCA, which strongly campaigned in the lead-up to the May election for strata to be adequately funded to facilitate the rollout of EV charging.
“This funding acknowledges the substantial multiplier effect of the strata industry in helping consumers to access more sustainable living choices,” said SCA (NSW) president Stephen Brell.
The SCA also highlighted that the funding would answer “a critical need” for infrastructure, with the most recent census data showing that one in three people or 33.4 per cent in NSW currently resides in an apartment or townhouse.
“It is good news for our planet, and for the millions of NSW residents living in strata complexes who either own an EV or are looking to purchase one, with the convenience of charging and guarantee range to become more readily available than ever before,” Mr Brell stated.
In addition to its benefits to tenants, having access to EV charging is seen to potentially drive consumer behaviour and drive up apartment prices, according to Strata Community Association (NSW).
SCA national president Chris Duggan also lauded the funding allocation and stated that there are still untapped opportunities in the strata sector for the government to explore in order further its long-term agendas.
“The strata sector is a sleeping giant, which has the potential if unlocked to deliver massive change for the critical areas the government is targeting like net zero, cost of living pressures and housing affordability,” Mr Duggan noted.
“We’re approximately 20 per cent of the population, but a huge proportion of the built environment, so a decision to give a grant to a building can affect hundreds of people and have a huge multiplier effect on outcomes overall.”
The strata management company Netstrata, which manages The Lennox in Parramatta, was one of the many complexes in the state that attested to the positive impact of having EV charging installed in their building.
“With such a high uptake of EVs in the Parramatta area, having EV chargers installed at The Lennox has really helped residents to take action against climate change, give the building a competitive edge over other apartment complexes in the area and set the benchmark for future residential complexes,” according to associate director of Netstrata Suzi Bellas.
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