Dear Supporters, Your prompt actions can help us achieve the Affordable EV Hub that will retrofit old cars with EV motors. The petition you signed with 1,315 others has stalled in Darebin Council. How you can help:
A. Contact us (see our details below) if you can offer special help (networking, legal, social media etc).
B. Contact Council to express your support (see suggested wording below).
- If you live in Darebin, contact your local representative - see the Councillor Contact List and Darebin Ward Map.
- If you live outside Darebin, email Council’s general mailbox: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au
On 25 March our petition was duly tabled by Councillor Susan Rennie at the Darebin Council meeting and was immediately referred to the CEO.
Council staff say that Craig Bishop’s plan fits perfectly with Darebin Council's draft Climate Emergency Strategy BUT that his business structure doesn’t comply with PUZ-6 Local Government zoning, unlike other very similar businesses at 2 Wingrove St that have been offered 5-year leases.
Council needs to stop stalling with their advice on business structure as Craig’s eviction date (April 30) looms nearer. Craig is very open to repurposing as a social enterprise if necessary to comply.
What to say to Council: (please use your own words):
Dear Councillors,
Re: EV Hub in Alphington
[As a Darebin resident,] I am writing in support of the establishment of an Affordable EV hub at the Wingrove Street site in Alphington by Craig Bishop, an innovative and community-friendly businessman with a social conscience. As the petition shows, this is a popular campaign. I hope you can listen, and respond positively, benefitting both our community and Council.
Yours sincerely,
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See the Appendix below for more ideas about what to say.
THANK YOU!! from the team working for an Affordable EV Hub:
- Craig - 0409 944 542 craigtbishop@gmail.com
- Marion - marion.gray@gmail.com
- Jim - jimxwaite@gmail.com
- Emily - casemily@gmail.com
- Kay - kwennagel@gmail.com
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APPENDIX - OTHER POINTS YOU COULD MENTION TO COUNCIL
(Please pick a few points that you are passionate about – each letter needs to be different).
Craig Bishop is the right person to take the EV Hub vision forward.
[Can you provide a personal testimony?]
Craig has been actively researching EVs since 2020, in collaboration with professors specialising in automotive engineering and aerodynamics from three universities. His depth and detail of experience and knowledge about all aspects of motoring and EVs, ingenuity, broad professional connections and vision for the future are astounding.
Craig’s conversion of fossil-fuel cars to electric will:
- make EVs affordable for low-income earners
- reduce landfill as we can keep our old car bodies
The worsening climate emergency
- We need to lower our CO2 emissions as quickly as possible
Craig’s EV Hub proposal fits with many Council policies and objectives:
- Darebin’s newly-released draft Climate Emergency Plan 2024-2030 (see especially clauses 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8)
- Darebin Transport Strategy 2007-2027: (A30-5: “Develop policies to manage increasing demand for commercial or private Electric Vehicle charging
- Infrastructure” and A30-6: “Improve access to EV charging in Darebin”)
- Darebin’s 2021-25 Council Plan: “adapt to climate change and build the resilience of our community, infrastructure and the built environment, with a focus on our vulnerable communities at risk of fuel poverty”
- Darebin’s EV Charging policy: “facilitate the community uptake and ownership of electric vehicles”.
Craig’s inspiring plans for future expansion:
- Secure undercover rapid EV charging stations (including for e-bikes)
- Servicing of community and council EVs
- Support for Council’s fleet transition to EVs
- Site for EV expo days
- E-bike sharing, charging & pickup point
- Fitting EVs with solar panels to roof and sides
The time for EVs has come, and we will not give up on our vision! This is a wonderful opportunity, not to be missed, for us to move forward as a community.
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