The Town of Victoria Park refuted claims an electric car charger was taken out of a basement carpark due to a risk of fire, saying it was moved after it received funding for an additional charger.
The Victoria Park Ratepayers Association had previously raised concerns about fires caused by electric car chargers after it claimed a fire risk assessment was not carried out when the chargers were first installed.
The annual electors meeting in May was told an assessment had been completed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the town’s insurer LGIS.
One week after the meeting, the car charger was relocated outside of the administration centre basement carpark.
Victoria Park Ratepayers Association chairman Vince Maxwell said this was due to the “unacceptable risk of fire”.
“I am very glad that they eventually did the right thing,” he said.
“We could be having a much different conversation now had a staff member been killed or injured from toxic smoke inhalation, as the cars were being charged just metres from the fire escape exit door.”
But according to acting chief executive Duncan Olde, the fire risk assessment found charging electric cars presented “a very low risk”.
Mr Olde shut down claims the move was due to the fire risk assessment, saying the electric car charger was moved in May after the town received Australian Renewable Energy Agency funding.
“The town has been fortunate to receive ARENA funding for an additional fast charging unit. The chargers will be sited together across four bays to charge vehicles during the day and maximise benefit,” he said.
“A charger was shifted out of the ground level carpark in May following confirmation of ARENA funding for another charger.”
The town made the switch to electric vehicles in June 2023 in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and is aiming to have at least half of its light vehicle fleet transitioned to electric by 2030.