EV Charger Plan Scrapped After 'Dirty Nickel' Claims

In a surprising move that’s sparked backlash across Queensland’s EV community, Livingstone Shire Council has shelved its decade-long plan to install public EV chargers — all following concerns raised in a recent commercial TV segment.

Just two weeks ago, things looked promising. The council had partnered with a supplier to finally roll out an EV charging station in the coastal hub of Yeppoon. The initiative had been years in the making and was promoted as a boost to sustainable tourism on the Capricorn Coast.

But that progress has now been stopped in its tracks.

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From Green Goals to Red Flags: The Mayor's Change of Heart

Livingstone Mayor Adam Belot had previously spoken positively about the chargers, highlighting how they aligned with the council’s commitment to sustainability. But at this week’s council meeting, he made a dramatic U-turn.

The reason is a report that aired last week on Channel 7’s Spotlight program that focused on environmental and human rights concerns tied to the global EV supply chain , specifically, the sourcing of nickel.

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Livingstone Mayor Adam Belot

The program took viewers inside Indonesia’s Morowali Industrial Park — one of the world’s largest nickel processing sites — accusing Chinese-owned operators of negligence in worker safety and poor environmental practices in surrounding rainforests and waterways.

While the documentary didn’t link any specific EV brands or Australian-sold cars to this “dirty nickel,” Mayor Belot said the footage had shifted his stance.

“Council must consider if the EV push may be more about ideology and industry profit than practical benefits for everyday Australians,” he said.

In a narrow 4-3 vote, the council chose to indefinitely suspend the charger rollout. Deputy Mayor Pat Eastwood, who supported the motion, said the media report had “opened his eyes.”

“We just, as a council, need to make good ethical decisions — we need evidence,” he added, noting he wasn’t anti-EV.

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Backlash from EV Owners and Local Advocates

Not everyone agrees with the move, least of all the region’s EV drivers.

Arthur Hunt, a Yeppoon local and long-time EV owner, said the council’s decision risks undermining its credibility and hurts the broader push to lower emissions.

“I certainly want to do what I can to combat climate change and reduce CO₂ emissions — and one of the ways to do that is to drive an EV,” Hunt told ABC Capricornia.
“I hope Livingstone Shire Council has another think about this and realises it could harm the reputation of council.”

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His concerns go beyond symbolism. With more Australians embracing EVs and planning regional travel, public charging infrastructure plays a critical role in route planning — and the Capricorn Coast was shaping up to be a useful stopover.

Mackay resident Jackie Wittaker, who’s currently road-tripping around Queensland in her electric vehicle, said the decision would directly affect her travel plans.

“If we have black spots, in terms of not being able to charge, you can't visit unless there's another charging option,” she said.
“It’s a real shame for people living in the Livingstone Shire, especially for businesses in that area — they'll miss out on those tourist dollars.”

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A Bold Stand or a Missed Opportunity?

Mayor Belot remains firm, saying he's willing to risk losing EV tourist traffic if it means standing up for what he believes is right.

“I am prepared for a few EV drivers not to come to the region if it means a better world,” he said during the council session.

But fellow Councillor Rhodes Watson criticised the move, calling it a “knee-jerk reaction” to what he labelled a “clickbait” report. Others fear the decision was rushed and out of step with the larger national shift toward cleaner transport.

Let’s be clear, concerns about supply chain ethics in the EV industry are valid and deserve scrutiny. But should one TV segment be enough to reverse years of planning and stall public infrastructure that helps communities thrive in a changing climate?

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What Now for the Capricorn Coast?

As it stands, Livingstone Shire will not be moving ahead with public EV chargers anytime soon. That leaves a glaring hole in Queensland’s growing EV tourism route and raises bigger questions about how much influence media narratives should have on local policymaking.

For now, EV drivers planning to visit Yeppoon will have to rely on alternative options.

And for Australian councils watching on, this may serve as a cautionary tale: when it comes to transport infrastructure, knee-jerk politics can be just as disruptive as the problem you're trying to solve.