Griffith Council wrap: new Tesla charging stations, Railway St car park complete, water restraint urged

In a busy past month, Griffith City Council have announced Tesla charging stations will be installed in town and the much awaited new car park on Railway Street is now complete. The council’s director of utilities has also urged residents to limit their water usage from early August while repairs are carried out on the Griffith Water Treatment Plant.

Tesla charging stations

In July, Griffith mayor Doug Curran announced the council had accepted a partnership proposal with electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors Australia to provide six destination chargers for electric vehicles in the town.

The supercharging stations will recharge an electric vehicle in about 30 minutes.

“In 2020 council and Tesla entered into an agreement which saw two charging stations installed at the Griffith Visitor Information Centre car park,” councillor Curran said.

“This new agreement will see an additional six stations installed by Tesla who will cover all costs as well as pay for the rental of the car spaces in accordance with council’s revenue policy.

“Those with electric cars can now have the confidence to place Griffith on their itineraries, assisting with growing our tourism market and injecting more funds into the local economy. Research shows that EV use in tourism positively impacts the environment and enhances sustainability for economic and social development.”

The partnership involves Tesla Motors supplying six destination chargers which will be available for public use, as well as covering the cost of installation and ensuring the maintenance and use of the chargers for a minimum of ten years.

New car park opens on Railway Street

A new public car park located at the corner of Railway Street and Kooyoo Street (53 Railway Street) Griffith has been constructed and is now ready for use. The cark park was built to provide an alternative for commuters to the busy main street of Griffith (Banna Avenue) where it has become increasingly difficult to find a vacant car park.

The new car park contains 48 car spaces, including 18 shaded spaces, two accessible spaces, drainage works and landscaping.

“Providing parking within the CBD has long been recognised as a priority for the community and I am pleased to be able to announce that work has been completed, and the car park is accessible to road users,” councillor Curran said.

“We appreciate the patience of the community and hope this new car park, along with the other car park completed in Railway Street last year, eases the parking congestion in the CBD.

“Griffith is thriving and this is just one of the many projects recently completed, underway or in the planning stages which will help grow Griffith into the future.”

The $625,000 project was funded by the Australian Government under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and Griffith City Council.

Water restraint urged

Griffith City Council has asked residents to minimise their water usage from the 1 August while repairs are carried out on the Griffith Water Treatment Plant (GWTP).

Director Utilities, Mr Graham Gordon said the remediation works were expected to commence on the 35-year-old structure early in August and council was asking residents and business owners to limit their water consumption for the first six or so weeks of the project.

“The scope of the works will require council to turn off the Water Treatment Plant, at various stages, which is used for supplying drinking water to the Griffith Community,” Mr Gordon said.

“During this time the only drinking water available will be from the reservoirs on Scenic Hill to supply the city while the treatment plant is off – this supply is limited and we therefore request the community to reduce their water consumption.

“This is essential to be able to carry out the repairs and concrete remediation at the GWTP,” he added.

From early August through until late September, residents and businesses are being asked to reduce their water consumption through simple measures such as turning off garden watering systems, not hosing down pathways and driveways, minimising shower times to three minutes, reducing the amount of water used when washing cars, turning off the tap when shaving or brushing teeth, only using the dishwasher when it is full, and checking taps for leaks.