City of Mount Gambier Council is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from e-scooter mobility operators to trial a public fleet in the City for 12 months.
The Statutes Amendment (Personal Mobility Devices) Act 2024 enables e-scooters and other personal mobility devices to be ridden on roads and in public areas once the associated regulations are adopted and published this year.
“Subject to the EOI identifying and engaging a successful operator, the trial would involve Council issuing a permit to operate a trial,” said Council’s Manager Economy, Strategy and Engagement, Biddie Shearing.
“The operator would then deploy e-scooters in the public domain across the city, which could be hired for temporary use. It is envisaged that the system would operate in much the same manner as public e-scooter fleets operate in other towns and cities.”
The call for an e-scooter trial is a resolution of Council from September last year, and will test whether a commercial e-scooter fleet may or may not become a long term transport alternative for the local community.
“Should Council engage a successful operator for an e-scooter trial, I am confident our community will embrace the opportunity to move around our city in a safe and respectful manner,” said Mayor, Lynette Martin OAM.
“Given our inadequate public transport service, I am hopeful that such a transport option will enable some of our residents to have more accessibility around our city.
“I also believe e-scooters will provide great opportunities for visitors to access the wonderful attractions Mount Gambier has to offer, which at the moment are only accessible by vehicle,” she said.
Information gathered from the trial would provide Council with a greater understanding of possible engagement with micro-mobility transport options into the future.
“A local working group would be established to support the trial period including a range of stakeholders with different interests attached to the trial. The working group would meet regularly with Council staff, the operator and other relevant stakeholders to assess progress and respond to any potential or emerging issues,” Ms Shearing said.
“There will be several factors that would need to be assessed as part of the trial, including transport behaviours of both residents and businesses, management of public safety, user participation, permit terms, conditions and management responsibilities and general community support for the program.”
If the EOI achieves a suitable collaborative project partner, Council intends for the trial to operate for a period of 12 months.
Expressions of Interest close on 11 April.
Visit https://www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/e-scootertrial for further details.
