MACEDON could be the next location to receive a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as a proposal progresses in the governments planning process.
The proposal is for 128 20-foot shipping containers to store cheaper electricity which can be further resold when the electricity market rises.
Candidate for the seat of Macedon Kate Kendall is concerned about the potential impacts.
“I share concerns about the potential impacts on our environment, wildlife, local amenity, rural character and tourism. My husband served with Macedon CFA, and I’ve heard directly from local volunteers about the challenges of chemical fires,” Ms Kendall said.
“Battery fires can be particularly difficult to extinguish because of thermal runaway, a self-sustaining chain reaction that can reignite, and the significant volumes of water that may be required to manage them. These are serious safety considerations that must be properly assessed.
“I am calling for this application not to be approved before the November election. The community deserves meaningful consultation, a thorough and independent assessment of the potential impacts, and the opportunity to have its concerns properly considered before any decision is made.”
She was with multiple locals and familiar faces in the area, who also shared similar concerns.
“It’s a good piece of industrial development in the middle of an environmentally significant landscape,” local Macedon resident Peter Shaw said on a Facebook post with Kate Kendall.
“It’s been designated here as the second highest bushfire area in Victoria, having been through these fires, Ash Wednesday fires, a fire here would be horrendous,” another local said.
“That would close of one of the exits to only two in the area and there has been really no consultation towards any of it.”
A board member of the Tourism Macedon Ranges Inc. spoke to the tourism in the area which she believes would take a hit.
“I’m horrified by it because we live in the most beautiful place in Victoria, we are close to Melbourne and yet we have this magical environment, beautiful biodiversity flora and fauna and we are about to put this dangerous ugly thing here,”
“It’s also situated at the gateway to Mount Macedon which is our primary tourism drawcard here and you drive in a see this big, ugly thing here, it’s not the right place for it.”
Independent candidate for the seat of Macedon Dominic Bonanno is against the BESS, taking to social media saying “scrap the Macedon BESS”
“I’m not convinced that industrial scale batteries are the solution for affordable and reliable energy, especially facilities that are in a bush fire prone area with no meaningful community consultation or local input.” He said on Facebook.
The Review contacted the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny who refused to comment on the matter, due to its current investigation.
“Any proposal will be considered on its merits – as this project is currently under assessment it would be inappropriate to comment further.” A Victorian government spokesperson said.
Members of the public can send submissions to the Department of Trasport and Planning until a decision has been made on the matter.
Macedon state election candidate Annette Death said that she believes BESS projects are important as long as they’re in the right place.
“BESS projects are important in our energy transition, however I recognise that they need to be in the right places. The relevant referral authorities will have to assess the fire risk and provide recommendations.” Ms Death said.
“This project is currently open for community consultation and l encourage people to make a submission.”
