PHOTO/EMILY IRELAND
From car parks to charge parks
Six car parks in Masterton could become electric vehicle charging spots if a proposal from Meridian Energy goes ahead.
The council-owned carpark outside Uncle Bills and Smiths City has been eyed up by the electricity company, which has offered to pay for the installation.
It is part of a nationwide rollout of chargers by Meridian and was supported by Masterton District Council’s infrastructure and services committee. It would still need approval by the full council.
Masterton District Council has provided a similar arrangement for Charge Net and Meridian for electric vehicle charging areas at other central Masterton locations.
Charge Net has a fast charge station on Dixon St opposite New World, and Meridian has a medium charger in Kuripuni outside Powershop. A report to the council’s infrastructure and services committee said various locations had been investigated, and the Dixon St carpark was chosen.
There is an existing transformer in the carpark, and installation of all necessary infrastructure would be at Meridian’s expense.
There would be no costs to the council.
There are 99 car parks available for people to use there, plus disabled car parks. Redesignating six car parks as electric vehicle charging areas represents six per cent of all available spots.
If councillors support the proposal, the chief executive will negotiate a licence to occupy the site with Meridian Energy. This allows Meridian to occupy the site for a zero or nominal fee.
Council staff have proposed to retain an option to charge for the occupancy in the future. – NZLDR
- Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
