Property peak body Strata Community Association (NSW) welcomes the commitment of the Perrottet Government towards co-funding medium and large apartment buildings with more than 100 car parking spaces to make electric vehicle (EV) charging upgrades.
The allocation of $10 million in the 2022-23 Budget towards approximately 125 medium and large-sized apartment complexes represents the single largest commitment by an Australian state or territory government towards supporting EV charging in strata-titled properties, such as apartment buildings.
With the most recent census data showing that 1 in 3 people in NSW (33.4%) live in an apartment or townhouse, there is a critical need for this kind of infrastructure.
“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.
“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 said.
SCA campaigned hard at the May Federal Election for strata to be adequately funded to facilitate the rollout of EV charging in Australia to achieve the Albanese Government’s net zero goals and to help with their ambitions of becoming a renewable energy superpower.
“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,” said SCA National President Chris Duggan.
“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,” said Mr Duggan.
The Lennox in Parramatta, managed by Netstrata, is one of the many complexes in NSW that has seen firsthand the benefits of having EV charging installed.“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,” said Suzi Bellas, Associate Director of Netstrata.
