A northeast Victorian community is fighting plans to build battery storage in an area of extreme bushfire risk, as the state government closes one avenue of appeal.
Mint Renewables and Trina Solar plan to build two battery energy storage systems (BESS) near the Dederang terminal station in the Kiewa Valley.
“It’s just ridiculous,” Dederang’s Sharon McEvoy, who owns farmland next to the proposed sites, told AAP.
“It’s north-facing, and backs right up next to the bush ... surrounded by bushfire management overlays.”
Ms. McEvoy led a community meeting, as more than 200 frustrated residents of Dederang and nearby communities filled the recreation reserve hall and spilled out onto the deck and foyer.
“We know the fire risk,” she told the crowd on March 14.
“We live and breathe it every summer. We are the local Country Fire Authority (CFA). The local CFA cannot fight a BESS fire.”
Battery fires can burn for several days and release toxic and flammable gasses, as seen in 2021’s four-day fire at the Tesla Big Battery site near Geelong, west of Melbourne.
“We care about the environment, the waterways, and the land where we live and work,” said Ms. McEvoy, while fighting back tears.
“The government is sacrificing the wellbeing of rural communities.”
The meeting came hours after the Victorian government announced plans to fast track new renewables projects, including stripping the ability of third parties to appeal planning decisions in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
“Once the reforms come into effect, new permit applications for batteries can be considered under this new accelerated pathway,” a spokeswoman for the department transport and planning told AAP.
“Our accelerated pathway for renewables projects will help deliver cheaper and cleaner energy to Victorian households sooner.”
The department has not yet received permit applications for either of the Dederang battery storage projects, and applications made from April 1 can be considered for fast tracking.
The state government maintained community voices would continue to be protected, despite the curtailing of VCAT access.
“Third party objections will still have a place in the approvals process, but this change prevents time-consuming and repeated delays that hold these projects back for years,” the Victorian government said on March 14.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said the issue went far beyond a state planning issue.
“What is happening to your community is happening right across the country,” Senator McKenzie told the crowd.
“We’re all on the journey to net zero, but we need to share the burden.”
Both Chinese-owned Trina Solar and Mint, owned by Infratil and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, opted not to attend the meeting.
“We are updating our design and developing mitigation measures to ensure the project is well-informed by local knowledge,” Mint said in a statement.
“We will continue to be open and responsive to questions and constructive feedback.”
Ovens Valley state MP Tim McCurdy said residents should direct their concerns to Victoria’s minister for planning, Sonya Kilkenny.
“We’re not anti-renewables, we just want communication,” Mr. McCurdy told the crowd.
“We want to know what’s going on.”
