Bellarine Times
Tuesday 5 October 2010
VOL 3. No 40
www.bellarinetimes.com.au
FREE WEEKLY
BREAKTHROUGH The Bellarine is a step closer to hosting a pilot programme for electric vehicles, recharge stations and establishing associated industries on the peninsula
BY ALISON MARTIN IN A major triumph for the Bellarine, an agreement to explore options and opportunities for electric vehicles on the peninsula has been signed. A formal Letter of Intent between global electric vehicle infrastructure and services provider, Better Place Australia, and Committee for Bellarine’s sustainability project ‘Clean Green Bellarine’ has been entered in to, with huge potential for the region. Committee for Bellarine spokesperson, Tom O’Connor, said the Letter of Intent had secured the region’s position in the innovative race to establish a hub for electric car development. “The relationship between the Committee for Bellarine and Better Place Australia will enable investigation into the deployment of EV infrastructure in the region,” he said. “This is an incredibly exciting project for the Bellarine Peninsula to showcase our community’s dedication to a progressive, environmentallyconscious future. “But our vision goes way beyond cars; it extends to bikes, mobility scooters, golf carts and any other fuel-powered vehicle. “There are additional employment and investment opportunities for the Bellarine in a new, sustainable industry.” O’Connor said the Letter of Intent would ensure the electric vehicle initiative would be comprehensively investigated, including identifying key locations for the installation of recharge stations, such as supermarkets and other highly accessible sites. The Committee for Bellarine and Better Place Australia collaboration “reflects a mutual and aligned commitment to common environmental objectives and supports the transition to EVs and zero emissions driving”. Better Place Australia will provide the required information and advice regarding the electrical and telecommunications wiring requirements for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in the Bellarine region. “This is a breakthrough venture by a global company linking up with the Committee for Bellarine and Clean Green Bellarine programme,” O’Connor said.
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Committee for Bellarine’s Tom O’Connor, Greg Campbell and Graeme Smith have secured an agreement with global electric car system provider, Better Place Australia, to investigate opportunities for electric vehicles on the Bellarine. Photo: ALISON MARTIN
“Actively sourcing renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuel, which has a diminishing supply is essential for our future and this is an opportunity for the Bellarine to lead the way.” The Committee for Bellarine will lead the
localised push to create commercial opportunities and promote the EV concept to Bellarine communities. “We also have a major engineering company based on the Bellarine ready to retrofit existing
vehicles for electric conversions,” O’Connor said. The Committee for Bellarine has recently launched its new website and executive members can be contacted online at www.CommitteeForBellarine. com.au
WED 3-4ft clean, N/NE 21° THU 3-6ft+ building, W/SW 14° FRI 3-6ft+ dropping W/SW 15° SAT 3-4ft average SW 18°
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