Renewables: Second battery energy storage facility proposed near Dederang
The announcement to fast-track renewable energy project approvals comes amid concerns affected communities are not being consulted on project plans.
A Kiewa Valley landowner located near two proposed lithium battery plants has likened the Victorian government’s push to fast-track renewable energy project approvals to “giving Goliath more power”.
The Allan government’s decision to treat any battery, solar and wind projects “as significant economic development” from as early as April 1 has been condemned across regional Victoria.
Last week in the Kiewa Valley, more than 150 people gathered for the second time in five months about another battery development near Dederang and others under consideration at nearby Carboor in the King Valley.
The meeting also coincided with the announcement from Premier Jacinta Allan that any renewable energy project will be able to gain planning approval in as little as four months.
Two options communities had to fight green energy developments — the planning panel process and third-party appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal — have been removed and even more power put in the hands of planning minister Sonya Kilkenny.
The changes angered Leon Allen, who lives near two proposed battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the Kiewa Valley.
“Frankly, I’m just appalled,” he said.
“We lose a basic right of appeal that is available to the ordinary person.
“VCAT exists because it is a relatively inexpensive process where ordinary people can have an administrative decision overturned.
“I assume now we’ve got to go to the Supreme Court of Victoria at an enormous expense.
“What we’re doing is giving Goliath more power.”
The government says since 2015 “more than one in five applications” have ended up in VCAT and presently around $90 billion worth of investment value in renewable projects in the pipeline.
Decisions on whether projects can go ahead could be made in less than four months and a “dedicated facilitation team” will oversee all applications.
“We will cut the red-tape holding back projects that provide stronger, cheaper power for Victorians,” Ms Allan said.
John and Sharon McEvoy’s farm also adjoins the two battery plants and they believe rural Victoria is unfairly “doing all the heavy lifting” in the transition to renewables.
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien said it was through the actions of a community group taking a proposed Alberton wind farm to VCAT that significant failures by the proponent and the government were revealed.
“That avenue is now being removed and consultation trashed,” he said.
“I am very concerned that this process is deliberately designed to silence regional voices.
“We are talking about projects that could see the construction of 250-metre-tall turbines within 2km of your home.”
The contentious changes come at a time when renewable energy proponents are still not fronting communities affected to discuss their plans.
Mint Renewables and Trina Solar, the two companies behind the Kiewa Valley battery plants, declined invitations to attend the Dederang meeting.
It was a similar story in the Mallee, according to federal MP Anne Webster.
“Communities have been subjected to months and months of sham consultation by the likes of Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) on VNI West and now the state government has gone even further by outlawing opposition to renewables projects,” she said.
“It tears up any need for renewables project developers to work with communities to achieve social licence.
“Barely a week ago TCV showed their disregard for Mallee communities by pulling out of VNI West community meetings I had organised at Tragowel and St Arnaud.
“The Victorian government has truly one-upped them.”
SECOND BATTERY PLANT PROPOSED
Kiewa Valley residents have been blindsided by a second renewable energy proposal in a matter of months.
After concerns about an initial 200MW battery energy storage system (BESS) on the Yackandandah-Dederang Road were aired at a public meeting in November last year, residents learned at the weekend of a second 500MW BESS proposal nearby.
Both are located close to the Dederang terminal station with transmission lines undergoing capacity upgrades in recent times.
The second BESS will be built on 10ha abutting a heavily timbered area, sparking concerns among residents of bushfire risks.
Sharon McEvoy’s farm neighbours both proposed developments.
“It’s absolutely gut-wrenching,” she said.
“We are deeply traumatised by what is not only happening to us, but those young families who live around us.
“The idea that someone can think that they can put a facility like that up next to our dry Australian bush, across creeks, is just mind blowing.”
The proponent, Trinasolar, was founded in China with its Australian headquarters in Sydney.
It is behind one of the largest solar farms under development in NSW, north of Jindera in the southern Riverina.
Close to 393,960 panels will be spread over 300ha.
“The Kiewa Valley BESS represents a significant leap forward in sustainable energy solutions, promising to enhance grid stability and resilience while facilitating the transition towards a cleaner, more efficient power ecosystem,” the project website states.
“Community engagement is vital for the success of any renewable energy project in Victoria, Australia.
“By involving the local community from the outset, we ensure that their voices are heard, concerns addressed, and ideas considered in the development process.
“This fosters a sense of ownership and trust, leading to greater acceptance and support for the project.”
A public meeting will be held in Dederang at 7pm on Thursday.
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