TV star’s battery farm win as community consultation extended

The state government has extended consultation on a controversial battery farm proposal north of Geelong, after a TV star spoke out against it.

Catriona Rowntree said "no one is surprised" the government would not extend the consultation period for a proposed battery farm in Little River.

The state government has extended community consultation for a controversial Little River project, after a campaign by TV host Catriona Rowntree.

Little River resident and Getaway presenter asked Geelong council at last week’s meeting to request the state government extend the community consultation deadline for ACEnergy’s proposed battery energy storage system on a Sandy Creek Rd farm.

On Monday, Mayor Trent Sullivan confirmed the government had extended the submission period, in line with a written request from council.

“We thank the government for its response and encourage the community to have its say before the revised deadline of Saturday 28 September,” he said.

It is understood there have been no submissions from neighbours so far regarding the proposal.

Rowntree said the community had never been more united in knowing how wrong this location was.

“If it wasn’t for (the Geelong Advertiser) it would have been quietly pushed through,” she said.

She said the consultation extension was a small gift from councillors, giving locals time to educate themselves and to communicate with the planning department.

“You could write a book on the number of fires in that area over the years, and fire and lithium are not a great mix,” she said.

ACEnergy wants to install a battery energy storage system on Sandy Creek Rd in Little River. Source: ACEnergy.

Rowntree said the recent blaze at a battery farm in Moorabool was an example of how out-of-control lithium fires could become.

“On one side we’re madly planting trees … to develop a koala corridor, on the other side they’re trying to completely destroy the overlays that are there for a reason,” she said.

A planning department spokeswoman said the consultation on the proposed renewable project in Little River was extended for another three weeks so more community members could have their say.

Catriona Rowntree on her property at Little River where a solar farm is to be built next door and close to the You Yangs. Picture: Brad Fleet

Little River resident Terry Hedt, who has been a CFA volunteer for 60 years, said he was extremely concerned about the chosen location for the battery farm.

“It’s just a funnel for hot north winds,” he said.

“If (lithium batteries) catch fire you can’t put them out.

ACEnergy wants to install a battery energy storage system on Sandy Creek Rd in Little River. Source: ACEnergy.

State government MP for Lara Ella George, who wrote to the department asking for an extension, said she was “pleased” with the decision.

“I encourage all residents to have their say, you can make a submission via the EngageVic website, email the Department of Transport and Planning, or contact me,” Ms George said.

“I will continue to advocate for the Lara and Little River community, and pass on any concerns that residents have to the Minister.

“It is my expectation that the concerns of residents, including that of fire risk, are taken into account as part of the decision making process.”

An ACEnergy spokesman said it welcomed the department’s decision and understood the value of ensuring neighbours are aware of proposed developments nearby.

“We are keen to have community feedback and have sought to ensure that the project will deliver for the region and its energy needs,” he said.

“We know that the project will benefit the local area by supplying electricity when it’s needed most, adding more renewable energy to the power network, and reducing energy loss.”

Community consultation will run from to September 28, with more information on the Engage Victoria website.

Earlier: Government considers extension

The state government will consider Geelong council’s request for an extension on community consultation for a controversial battery farm at the base of the You Yangs.

On Tuesday, Little River resident and Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree asked council if they were able to request an extension on the community consultation deadline for a proposed battery farm on Sandy Creek Rd.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan on Thursday confirmed the council had written to the Victorian Government requesting the extension.

“The City Greater Geelong has written to the State Government requesting an extension to the timeline for community consultation for the Sandy Creek Rd lithium battery project,” Mr Sullivan said.

“The city supports the community having a say.”

ACEnergy wants to install a battery energy storage system on Sandy Creek Rd in Little River. Source: ACEnergy.

ACEnergy wants to install a battery energy storage system on Sandy Creek Rd in Little River. Source: ACEnergy.

The Victorian Government confirmed on Saturday afternoon the department of planning would look at the possibly extending the public exhibition period, currently scheduled to end on September 7, by three weeks, despite suggesting earlier in the day they wouldn’t.

However, a decision would not be made on this until this week.

Member for Lara Ella George said she had also asked the minister for planning to extend the consultation period.

“As a local MP, my job is to listen to the community and pass on their concerns, in this case about battery energy storage in Little River, to the relevant ministers,” Ms George said.

“The community can continue to have their say until a decision is made.

“I encourage all concerned residents to make a submission via the EngageVic website, email the Department of Transport and Planning, or contact me.”

Ms Rowntree, who asked council for help at their meeting on Tuesday, said she only found out about the project through a Geelong Advertiser report, despite living next door to the proposed site.

Ms Rowntree said the proposal was “dividing communities.”

“Normally this would never be approved, if it was allowed to go through the normal process of public scrutiny,” she said.

“At the moment it feels like the only people winning are the developers.”

Ms Rowntree described it as the ”dodgiest deal ever”.

She said she’d rather be promoting Little River and the You Yangs than defending it from this project.

My community is wonderful, the You Yangs are wonderful,” Mr Rowntree said.

“We feel like our community is always fighting, specifically in our area, we are always fighting.

“We’ve had the detention centre, the freight terminal, the incinerator, it’s just relentless.”

Ms Rowntree thanked her local councillors for their support, and encouraged locals to make submissions while consultation is still open.

An ACEnergy spokesman said neighbours of the site were “informed of our initial plans last year”.

“We understand the value of ensuring neighbours are aware of proposed developments nearby,” he said.

“The site has been carefully selected to minimise environmental impact and maximise existing energy transmission infrastructure.

Originally published as TV star’s battery farm win as community consultation extended