‘Stupid’: Getaway TV presenter Catriona Rowntree slams site of proposed battery project

Getaway TV presenter and Little River resident Catriona Rowntree has doubled down on her opposition to a proposed battery project in her area, labelling it “stupid”.

Little River TV presenter Catriona Rowntree has slammed the site of a proposed battery project as ‘stupid’ after claims a two truck collision caused a second power outage at the site of the project in the space of just over a week.

Getaway TV presenter and Little River resident Catriona Rowntree has doubled down on her opposition to a proposed battery project in her area, labelling it “stupid” amid claims a two-truck collision caused a second power outage at the site in just over a week.

Rowntree, who has spearheaded community push-back against the plans, questioned its safety after power lines at her property, neighbouring the proposed site, were knocked down twice in eight days.

The second instance was on September 10, when a truck hit a pole on Sandy Creek Rd.

Rowntree said she couldn’t think of a better example to describe “how dangerous it would be” to put the battery farm in the area.

Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree, who has recently spearheaded community push-back against the project, questioned the safety of the project after having the power lines at her property, which neighbours the proposed site, knocked down twice in eight days.

“You could not pick a more stupid site,” she said.

“This is already an incredibly dangerous area. You’ve got to be an idiot to approve it.”

Victorian-headquartered ACEnergy, which is behind the plan to build the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the 18ha site, encouraged people to attend an information session this weekend.

Rowntree said that “should have happened weeks ago.”

“They are only doing this now because they’re feeling the heat,” she said.

“They should have had a meeting in the local hall. It’s just ticking a box.”

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

ACEnergy said the Sandy Creek Rd site was selected to minimise environmental impact and maximise existing infrastructure.

It wants to subdivide the land so the majority of the site will continue to be used to support existing grazing and agricultural operations, with the BESS project built on a small portion of the site.

ACEnergy development manager Danny Wilkinson said residents of Little River, Lara and the surrounding area were invited to information sessions to learn about the project.

“We are looking forward to meeting members of the local community and discussing our proposed project, as well as the potential for community benefit initiatives,” he said.

The state government recently extended community consultation on the project until September 28.

One information session was held at Lara Golf Club on Friday, with another on Saturday.

Originally published as ‘Stupid’: Getaway TV presenter Catriona Rowntree slams site of proposed battery project