Little River TV star Catriona Rowntree questions council over proposed battery farm

Television identity Catriona Rowntree is calling on Geelong council to help fight a proposed large-scale renewable energy project near her home.

Catriona Rowntree in Little River where a renewable energy is to be built (to the left). Picture: Brad Fleet

Television identity Catriona Rowntree is pleading with Geelong council to help her block a proposed large-scale renewable energy project north of Geelong.

Plans for a battery energy storage system in Little River, where Rowntree lives, are before the state government.

Rowntree, a longtime presenter on Channel 9’s Getaway, took to Tuesday night’s council meeting at City Hall to voice her concerns about the Sandy Creek Rd project.

Rowntree, whose property neighbours the proposed site, said she was concerned she had only found out about the project though the press, and questioned its location.

“We were made aware last week by the Geelong Advertiser our neighbour is planning to build one of Victoria’s largest lithium battery farms at the base of the You Yangs Regional Park,” Rowntree said.

Ms Rowntree has been an advocate for Little River and surrounds for years. Picture: Brad Fleet

“It is currently on prime agricultural land and historically, this property in a fire corridor.

“As you know, this is a high wind area, and opposite the You Yangs Park 500m away.”

Ms Rowntree pointed to a fatal fire that ripped through the property in 1969, and said it was

now underneath a set of powerlines that folded under strong winds in February.

Ms Rowntree suggested other sites in the area would be more appropriate for the project.

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

She asked council if they could assist in extending the consultation period, which closes September 7.

A decision on the project is expected by the end of the year.

At Tuesday’s meeting Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan replied that while it wasn’t something that was in council’s power, it could to make a suggestion to the state government.

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

He said council had a responsibility to let the community know about projects such as this.

“The community has been caught unaware,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Whether it’s a battery (or a) a waste-to-energy incinerator, things that have been tried to, I dare say, be snuck through by the state government, the community must be made aware of it.

“We will follow up on that one.”

Rowntree told the Geelong Advertiser on Wednesday that council’s response left her “terrified”.

“They were completely unaware,” she said.

“If I didn’t submit that question, this project would’ve just snuck through.”

ACEnergy expects to commence construction in the first half of next year and have the battery energy storage system operational by late 2026.

The project would be spread across almost 18ha of a 93.3ha site and include 372 battery energy storage units and 124 medium-voltage power stations.

Ms Rowntree encouraged locals to email objections to the government before consultation closes.

Mr Sullivan confirmed on Thursday council had requested the Victorian Government extend community consultation.

“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 was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Little River TV star Catriona Rowntree questions council over proposed battery farm