Infrastructure

• Who is JOLT?

• JOLT is an Australian electric vehicle charging network company currently operating 10 existing EV chargers in the Northern Beaches LGA.

• ​Can e-bikes be charged at these kiosks as well?

• Unfortunately, e-bikes cannot be charged on these current EV chargers. However, JOLT is continually working on ways to improve their infrastructure and anticipates this will be available in the near future.
  

• Are the chargers noisy?

• The chargers are designed to operate in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act at all times.

  From time to time, some low level noise may be heard from cooling equipment inside the chargers. For reference, this noise is quieter than a domestic air conditioner.

• ​How bright are the screens?

• The screens can automatically adjust brightness in response to changes in surrounding light levels so that the signs are not unreasonably bright.

  The JOLT screens are equipped with sensors to make sure the billboards are only as bright as necessary to be clearly legible.

  The digital screens will operate in compliance with luminance regulations, which are outlined in the Outdoor Media Association’s Digital Signage Policy.
  

• ​What content will be shown on the screens?

• The digital screens will display community messaging from Council or third-party advertising. All content will be compliant with the Outdoor Media Association’s (OMA) Code of Ethics and Advertising Content Policies. Furthermore, advertising that contains tobacco, nicotine, alcohol and gambling will be prohibited.

  View the OMA Codes and Policies.

  
  
• ​What is the planning pathway for the advertising on the EV chargers?

• This consultation does not constitute planning approval for the EV charging (EVC) units. Planning approval will be obtained in accordance with the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 (State Policy) via the Exempt Development, Development with Consent or Development without Consent pathways. See this fact sheet regarding EVC units and planning pathways for more information.

  Due to the proposed location of the infrastructure JOLT will undertake a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Fairlight, Brookvale, Dee Why, Manly and Newport locations. The infrastructure falls under Exempt Development for the Forestville, Narraweena, Avalon Beach and Balgowlah locations.

Finance

• Is Council paying for the charging stations?

• Council will not be contributing financially towards the installation, maintenance and removal of EV infrastructure. Our proposal is only to convert the nominated existing parking spaces to ‘EV parking only’ to support the initiative.

  The Charge Point Operator (JOLT) is required to pay Council an application fee and an annual fee for each dedicated space, as per the adopted Fees and Charges.

• ​How much does it cost to charge?

• All customers receive 7kWh of charging free every 24 hours. Once you’ve gone over the 7kWh, you can charge for longer at a set charging rate. JOLT’s current charging rate in Australia is $0.49/kWh.
  

Locations

• How were the proposed locations identified?

• We asked our community for ideas and suggestions on where to install chargers in July and August 2022 - you can view the outcomes of the consultation here.

  We had a great response with over 200 location ideas and suggestions added to our map. The most popular locations for more EV charging were shops, beaches, parks and carparks across the Northern Beaches.

  From this information, we create shortlists and work with suppliers to select the locations that will be most suitable for each style of charger - taking into consideration things like power supply, impacts on surrounding parking, if other chargers are available nearby (e.g. in shopping centre carparks), etc. Each shortlist then goes back out to our community to let us know if we've got it right.

  Following consultation on the shortlists, we present a report to the Local Traffic Committee, who makes a decision on each location.

• Why are two chargers proposed at the one Forestville site?

• There is significant demand for EV charging infrastructure in Forestville. As such, two locations within Forestville Seniors Centre carpark have been proposed. Due to connection limitations and the type of infrastructure proposed, one charger is proposed for each end of the carpark.

• Will there be a reduction in car parking spaces?

• No - one existing car parking space will be converted to an EV charging space. The total number of spaces available will not change under this project.

• Will any vegetation be removed to make space for the charging stations?

• Existing hedges are proposed to be removed at the Balgowlah and Seaforth locations and replaced with native grasses / plants.

• Will the parking changes be enforced?

• The signage provided will be a standard Transport for NSW sign and enforceable under NSW Road Rules 2014.

  All electric vehicles not plugged in and actively charging or non-electric vehicles are subject to enforcement while parked in these dedicated spaces.