Edify Energy battery plan for Pioneer Valley rejected by Mackay Regional Council

A plan to transform five hectares of cane land into a battery project has been rejected, with only one councillor voting in favour of it.

At the Mackay regional council October ordinary meeting councillors will review development applications and determine whether or not a family-run restaurant will get council support to go ahead with their ambitious plans.

New substation, battery at Pleystowe

Council will vote on whether a green energy company will be going ahead with the development of a battery energy storage system (BESS) facility at Pleystowe.

Edify Energy, a company with developments in Brisbane, Townsville and Collinsville, has proposed to build a high voltage substation and BESS units with an accompanying maintenance building at lot 20 on Pleystowe School Road.

The subject site near Formosas Rd was selected due to its proximity with the T141 Pioneer Valley power station.

The proposed development seeks to establish a BESS to allow for the storage of electricity and to distribute it to the network during peak use periods, supporting the existing electrical network and improving reliability in the Mackay region.

As well as the substation and batteries, a prefabricated operations building will be placed on the lot as well as CCTV surveillance and other ancillary infrastructure.

The development will take up roughly 11 per cent of the five hectare lot.

It was recommended council approve the development.

At the council meeting, a representative from Mackay Sugar voiced objections to the project, including that more than 11 per cent would be affected by the change, changes to soil, and risks of contamination and increased traffic.

“We request that good quality agricultural land is protected from non-agricultural purposes,” she said.

Edify Energy have proposed the construction of a battery at Pleystowe School Rd.

Mr Christensen brought up the risk of fires that come with battery systems.

He said the “core purpose” of rural zoning is to prioritise agricultural production and rural landscape preservation.

“Rural zoning is fundamentally incompatible with non-agricultural industrial purposes that don’t support agricultural activities,” Mr Christensen said.

Mr Bella warned the cane industry needs to be protected as it has “fed us, clothed us, and housed us for more than a hundred years”.

Pointing to his history in cane farming, he said losing the five hectares of good quality land isn’t easily made up for further away in the margins — lack of irrigation, and no cane train connections make it more expensive and environmentally damaging to produce and transport the same amount of cane.

“If you don’t know farming, if you don’t know agriculture then your assessment of this is flawed,” Mr Bella said.

Located near the intersection of Pleystowe Rd and Formosas Rd, the new battery seek to support Mackay’s power grid and expand its capacity.

Deputy mayor Karen May, the only supporter of the motion, pointed out the five hectare site is adjacent to the Ergon Energy substation, exactly where it needs to be.

“If we are going to have any chance of transitioning to net zero emissions, we have to start to look at these proposals,” she said.

An alternative motion by Mr Christensen to reject the council’s recommendation to move forward with the proposal was passed 10 votes to one, Ms May being the only councillor to vote against it.

Chances Drop-In Community Care Centre

Chances, also known as the Australian Street Aid Project, has operated a drop-in centre at 2 Endeavour St for months now.

The Australian Street Aid project has opened a "One Stop Shop" to help get Mackay's homeless back on their feet. Photo: Fergus Gregg

This centre provides support to the homeless, putting on hot breakfasts, serving lunch and providing a safe space for the vulnerable to rest, receive medical care and meet with case workers.

Chances was able to begin operating this centre while the development application was still being undertaken thanks to the leniency of the council, but council will finally determine whether Chances can continue to operate or if they will have to close up.

Chances founder Kayleigh Brewster said since they started their operation there had been an objection to their presence.

“That’s why it has to go to a council meeting,” Ms Brewster said.

One of the submissions made to council stated the development of the Chances’ Drop-In Centre (community care centre) would result in an increase in crime.

A council assessment officer said the development sought to mitigate the adverse impacts associated with the issues of addiction, homelessness and domestic violence.

“The proposed development can in no way be directly linked to a person’s individual choice to commit a crime,” they wrote.

Ms Brewster said the objection highlighted a need for her to work “a bit better with local businesses”.

“Obviously we’re happy to work with local businesses so we submitted back to council our arguments as to why need to stay there,” she said.

“We just need to work a bit better with the local businesses and offer them the opportunity to come chat with us.

“That’s what we’ll do and put our best foot forward.”

Chances have been operating their drop-in centre for months and has seen a recent uptick in demand for their services. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Council recommended Chances continue to operate on the condition it pays associated infrastructure charges, installs bike racks and obtains a full food license, as it currently operates on a not-for-profit food license.

At the council meeting Scott Cronin the owner of Fiesta Rentals told council while he understands homeless services are important, businesses near Chances were concerned about an increase in crime in the area.

Councillor George Christensen asked if crime could be a consideration when councillors decided whether or not to approve the recommendation it moves ahead, and was told it could not be.

Councillor Marty Bella noted that removing Chances would not make the area any safer, especially if people in need were suddenly not being fed.

“The repercussions of that are a no-brainer,” Mr Bella said.

Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged community concerns and defended the actions of police, noting they were limited in their move-on-powers related to petty crime.

He hoped for a reset with the LNP coming to power.

Council voted to approve the application.

Fergus Gregg is a volunteer at Chances.

The Mount Jukes Family Farm are hoping to take their operation from a food truck to a fully fledged dining experience. Photo: Contributed

Mount Jukes Family Farm

The approved development of a restaurant and brewery at the Mount Jukes Family Farm is set to go ahead with council voting on whether they will grant the business infrastructure concessions.

The development was approved in August 2024 and will transform the Kuttabul property into a authentic, farm-to-table Italian dining experience.

If approved council will waive an estimated $38,000 in infrastructure charges to the business on the condition development be completed and in use by October 22, 2026.

Furthermore, council have stipulated the development must make use of local contractors and suppliers.

Council officers have recommended the concession be approved.

Councillor Karen May said she was looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition.

“It’s another local product that not only provides service to our local community but visitors to our region.”