Plans to release an expressions of interest for a rideshare e-scooter service by the City of Joondalup for a 12-month trial has been pushed back until at least August.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, elected members voted to deffer the decision of the EOI with Cr Hamilton-Prime moving the procedural motion.
Despite labelling the e-scooter trial as “exciting”, she argued the council needed more time to address the location of the trial, which was set in the report as being from Mullaloo to Sorrento, and to impose stricter parking regulations of the scooters.
She also said the trial should include a “commercial arrangement” with the service provider to “offset rates”.
“I believe we need to get this right,” Cr Hamilton-Prime said.
“For example, mandating a minimum response time for e-rideable retrievals within an hour, if placed incorrectly or at inappropriate locations.”
She also said the council needed to consider removal of e-rideables near entertainment precincts such as Hillarys Marina on late weekend evenings.
“I’m comfortable with any trial delay that may occur due to this deferral,” she said.
“There is no need to rush this through tonight. More detail and clarity are needed and discussions must occur with additional information sought.”
The city mentioned in its report a desire to offer an e-scooter service from Scarborough Beach, in the City of Stirling, to Mullaloo Beach — connecting the two popular coastal precincts.
In a presentation to a briefing session two weeks ago, City of Joondalup economic development and advocacy manager Luke Willcock said the city had delayed its report on an e-scooter service to observe its rollout in other local government areas such as neighbouring Stirling, which made the service permanent in December after its own 12-month trial.