Newcastle's lord mayor has lashed the state government for the city being excluded from a grant program for electric vehicle chargers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Government announced $20 million in EV Charging Destination Grants to roll out up to 3500 electric vehicle chargers at tourist and small business visitor economy destinations.
A range of destinations in regional NSW can apply for the grants, including motels, wineries, cafes, restaurants, natural attractions, visitor information centres, museums and zoos. But none of those sorts of businesses in Newcastle are eligible.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the reason Newcastle will miss out on the program again comes down to the city's classification.
Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock are eligible, as they are classed as regional, but Newcastle is considered metropolitan.
"It just goes to the regional-metro dichotomy in grant funding that Newcastle is often left out of the regional funding pool, included in the metro funding pool but often excluded just by the tyranny of distance from metropolitan Sydney," she said.
The classification issue has also reared its head in other grant programs such as the Regional Sport Infrastructure Fund, but Cr Nelmes said this was particularly disappointing as it means popular destinations like Blackbutt Reserve, Fort Scratchley or Newcastle Museum miss out.
"It's a shame. We've done a lot of work in the electric vehicle charging space and it would have been a good opportunity to consolidate that work," she said.
"Research shows one of the inhibitors to purchasing is range anxiety.
"But we'll keep on pushing ahead and make sure we have a good supply of electric vehicle charging stations."
IN THE NEWS:
- Nikita Tszyu claims TKO victory, Gallen suffers second defeat in Newcastle
- Man arrested in Queensland allegedly trying to flee country in connection with $20m worth of cocaine found at Port of Newcastle
- Glendale now the focus for Newcastle Basketball's new stadium after Hillsborough rejected
- Man in John Hunter Hospital after car crashes into telegraph pole on Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae
- Lake Macquarie Private Hospital expansion: council approves $120m project to move to gateway determination
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News