The City of Unley has good news for users of Mobility Scooters and Electric Wheelchairs. We just joined this scheme the RECHARGE Scheme Australia Ltd through the Community Passenger Network Program. This scheme is about businesses signing up to be identifiable recharge points for mobility scooters.

Background:

RECHARGE Scheme Australia (RSA) was officially launched in 2006 in the Shire of Nillumbik in Victoria, it was developed to support people who use a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair.  An increasing number of mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs are being used in our communities but the people who use them often worry about becoming stranded due to flat batteries, therefore possibly becoming isolated within their communities.  Most electric wheelchairs and scooters can recharge at a standard power point for a very low cost (the cost to recharge an electric mobility scooter or wheelchair for one hour is under 30 cents).  Councils and businesses across Australia are choosing to partner with RSA to offer accessible recharge points in public areas and businesses.

Scooter charging up at home

The Project:

The Eastern Metro Community Passenger Network (CPN) Coordinator (auspiced by and based at the City of Unley) looks after the transport information and coordination needs for six Council areas being, Unley, Burnside, Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Prospect, Campbelltown and Walkerville.

The CPN coordinator will be responsible for implementing the RSA across five council areas (Walkerville have already joined the Scheme) using the comprehensive Start Up Guide and Better Practice Kit provided by RSA.

Recharge points would be introduced across the eastern metro area of Adelaide beginning with Council buildings ie libraries, Community Centres etc and expanding to include local businesses.  The Recharge points will be recognizable by stickers in the windows of participating buildings/businesses. All RSA branding and associated information is consistent, thereby ensuring that the community can recognise this initiative wherever they live, work or visit.  The RSA website lists the recharge points in the participating councils and businesses and a phone app is also being developed to enable residents to easily locate their closest recharge point. In Unley we will be starting this in the Community Centres and the Libraries, the next step will be to encourage local businesses to participate.

If you would like further information please contact the Eastern Region CPN Coordinator, Sue Aplin, on 8372 5472 or [email protected].