Macedon Ranges Shire Council has called for further clarification and assessment on the proposed Battery Energy Storage System for Macedon, with bushfire risk a key focus.
South Energy’s proposal is for a 100 MW four-hour BESS, comprising about 128 lithium-ion battery containers, and spanning about five hectares at Black Forest Drive.
Raising a notice of motion last week, Cr Alison Joseph said the Macedon area was one of the most bushfire prone areas in the state.
She called for particular consideration to be given to bushfire risk and emergency management including potential for failures, bushfire risk and emergency management.
“Macedon was heavily impacted by the Ash Wednesday fires, and anything that could increase the fire risk is of obvious concern to the community,” she said.
“There have been a number of fires associated with BESS facilities, both here and overseas, and these facilities can also be impacted by (external) fire, which can lead to a thermal runaway.”
The minister for planning is now assessing the application, which was lodged back in March with public notice given in August.
Under new rules, developments generating more than one megawatt are now assessed through the state’s Development Facilitation Program. That program aims to speed up the planning approvals process.
MRSC previously made a submission to the process raising a series of concerns and seeking further information.
Last week, Cr Joseph’s motion sought to gain detail on risks associated with a bushfire impacting the facility and the consequential effect this might have on public safety, emergency response operations, neighbouring properties and availability of evacuation routes.
It also asked about the adequacy of proposed emergency response procedures and fire suppression.
Cr Andrew Scanlon said location selection, fire safety and community acceptance was “paramount to the success of these types of renewable energy projects”.
He also noted that “technology in this field has vastly improved, with in-house monitoring systems and dedicated staff identifying system anomalies in real time”.
Cr Jennifer Anderson agreed it was important to ask for all information and particularly what was relevant to the community, given the area’s bushfire risk. She also asked if there would be any financial benefits to the community for hosting the site.
As the project (PA2604310) is still under assessment, it is expected the Department of Transport and Planning will continue to consider all submissions up until the day the application is determined.
According to South Energy’s website, the project is currently under development with construction expected to begin in early 2027 to achieve full operation in 2028.