The new Position Statement: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure supports the Western Australian Climate Policy and State Electric Vehicle Strategy, which aims to increase the uptake of EVs in the State to deliver cleaner, more sustainable transport for our State’s future.
The position statement aims to:
- assist proponents and decision-makers by advocating for a streamlined approvals process for EV charging infrastructure
- provide guidance on development applications, public works, appropriate locations and recommended levels of provision for various land uses, including residential development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Show moreWhat is the State EV Strategy?
The State EV Strategy emphasises the multiple benefits of EVs, including improving air quality in urban centres, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting local industry and delivering a range of benefits for consumers. The strategy’s actions are preparing Western Australia for the transition to low and zero‐emission electric vehicles.
The Strategy identifies uptake, infrastructure, systems (standards, guidelines, planning approvals) and industry development as priority areas of action and allocates specific actions to relevant government departments.
Further information of current progress on initiatives, and Government rebates and incentives are available here.
Where can I find information on fire and flood safety in relation to EVs?
Whilst provisions of the Nation Construction Code (NCC) must be met, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services provides information fires in the home, including guidance for residential battery energy storage systems and lithium-ion batteries (including EVs) on their website.
Other relevant publications include:
- Electric Vehicles and charging facilities in-and-around Multi-storey Commercial and Residential Buildings (DFES, September 2023)
- Electric Vehicles in Buildings Advisory Notice (Australian Building Codes Board, June 2023)
- Electric Vehicles and EV charging equipment in the built environment position statement (Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, December 2022)
Where can I find information on standardised signage and symbols relating to EVs?
Austroads has published Standardised Signage and Pavement Symbols for Low and Zero Emission Vehicles Testing Report in December 2022. This document may be used for guidance.
Where can I find information and guidance on whether the EV charging infrastructure may be considered “public works”?
The Public Works Act 1902 is available on the State Law Publisher’s website and defines what constitutes a public work. Certain land use and development (works) may be considered “public works”. Further guidance is available at - Approvals and exemptions for public works.
Where there is no public works exemption and the proposed EV charging infrastructure is within a reserve, proponents will be required to liaise with the relevant local government and/or reserve management body, and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (Land Use Management).
Is there a recommended EV charging infrastructure payment method?
As EV charging infrastructure may be for private use or publicly available, and located in a wide range of locations, the Position Statement does not provide a recommendation for the method and responsibility for payment of use.
The method of payment for utilising EV charging infrastructure is the decision of the landowner, charging infrastructure provider, strata-body, or equivalent.
