At the Benalla Rural City Council Meeting on Wednesday 24 June 2026, Councillors approved a licence for Tesla to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Barkly Street Benalla.
The project will see Tesla fund, construct and operate the new EV charging station, which includes eight supercharger posts, two charging cabinets and an upgraded main switchboard. An existing transformer on the site will also be upgraded to support the new infrastructure.
Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn said the decision reflects strong community interest in expanding EV charging options across Benalla Rural City.
“Community feedback showed clear support for this project, with 69 submissions received and a significant majority in favour,” Cr Hearn said. “Many residents recognised the benefit of having modern charging infrastructure in a central and accessible location in Benalla.”
Councillors considered all feedback, including suggestions for alternative sites. Many of the suggested alternative locations had previously been assessed and found unsuitable due to flood risk, limited electrical infrastructure or high parking demand.
“Barkly Street offers the right balance of accessibility, safety and existing infrastructure,” Cr Hearn said. “These chargers will attract more travellers off the Hume Freeway and into our town. People stopping to charge their vehicles are far more likely to visit our cafés, shops and attractions, which is a real boost for local businesses.”
The charging station will be available for all compatible electric vehicles, not just Tesla models.
While the installation will reduce the number of parking spaces in the area, the leased section represents only part of the carparking available in Barkly Street. The drive‑through design of the charging bays will support smooth traffic flow, and nearby education providers and organisations retain access to private parking options.
For more information, visit www.benalla.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 03 5760 2600.