A series of community engagement events to support the roll out of the NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY | GOVERNMENT EVENTS

Delivering a series of community events on behalf of the NSW Government to increase the uptake of electric vehicles across the state.

Client

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

 

Challenge

As part of the NSW Government’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, $149 million was invested to build a world class fast charging network across the state to increase the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). Charge point operators, BP Australia, Evie Networks, NRMA and Tesla Motors Australia, were granted funding to build 86 EV charging stations across regional and metropolitan NSW.

With charging infrastructure rolling out across NSW, DCCEEW required a strategic community engagement program to:

    • Raise awareness of the new fast charging locations.
    • Build confidence in EV technology.
    • Educate communities on the benefits of EVs.
    • Create local momentum and visibility around each new charging site.

The LKB Agency (LKB) was engaged to design and deliver a series of ribbon cutting and community outreach events that would formally launch the new fast charging stations as they came online to the public.

Strategy

LKB developed and delivered a coordinated, state-wide community engagement program across a two year period. The approach combined event logistics and planning, stakeholder and VIP management, local advertising and media support, on-site activations and event delivery.

Each event was designed to extend beyond a formal launch. LKB created welcoming, family friendly spaces where community members could:

    • Explore EVs and charging infrastructure up close.
    • Speak directly with industry experts and partner organisations.
    • Attend educational workshops to learn more about EVs.
    • Ask practical questions about EV ownership and charging.

LKB worked closely with the NSW Government team and grantees to tailor each event to the local community.

Delivery

Between 2024 to 2026, LKB organised and facilitated 10 EV fast charging community events across NSW, and official ribbon cutting ceremonies to mark the infrastructure going live. The ribbon cutting events included Ministerial and senior Government staff involvement, as well as local Mayors and Members of Parliament.

Events were delivered at:

  • Cabarita Beach in May 2024.
  • Wagga Wagga in September 2024.
  • Chatswood in October 2024.
  • Engadine in May 2025.
  • Marrickville in June 2025.
  • Ulladulla in October 2025.
  • Tamworth in October 2025.
  • Queanbeyan in November 2025.
  • Manly in November 2025.
  • Cabramatta in February 2026.

Each location brought its own unique character, local audience and opportunities for engagement, allowing the program to reach a wide range of communities across both the metropolitan and regional areas. VIP’s and government representatives were invited to attend both the ribbon cutting and community events.

Grantees involved in the delivery of the events were:

    • BP – Cabramatta, Engadine.
    • Tesla – Chatswood, Wagga Wagga.
    • NRMA – Cabarita Beach, Queanbeyan.
    • Evie Networks – Tamworth, Ulladulla.
    • DCCEEW hero events – Manly, Marrickville.

Each event brought together VIPs, local media, government representatives, industry experts, community stakeholders and residents to celebrate the rollout of fast charging infrastructure and the transition to electric vehicles.

Results

Over the two years, the EV fast charging community event program:

Delivered 10 successful community events across regional and metropolitan NSW.

Engaged over 5,800 community members in direct conversations about EVs and charging infrastructure.

Increased local awareness of EV fast charging accessibility.

Improved understanding of EV ownership.

Collected 194 completed surveys, providing insights into community awareness and perceptions of EVs and charging infrastructure.

Delivered significant local and state-wide media coverage of the events, including in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Strengthened community confidence in the state’s charging network.

With the completion of all 10 events, the program has successfully contributed to building grassroots awareness and supporting the broader transition to sustainable transport across NSW.