News
25 June, 2024
Charged up residents
Somerset Council received nearly 300 public submissions, all of which were against the proposed Hazeldean battery storage facility development by Enervest.
A redacted selection of the submissions have now been made public.
“The residents of Kilcoy are in an uproar about it and the Somerset Council should listen to the people who elected them,” many submissions stated.
Enervest is proposing to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on Esk Kilcoy Rd, Hazeldean.
If approved, it will be one of the largest BESS’ in Queensland, with a battery storage capacity of up to 800MW/1,600MWh, comprising approximately 256 inverters and 512 battery enclosures.
A BESS takes electricity from the grid in low demand periods and feeds back into the grid during high demand periods.
Some of the arguments made in the submission have already been outlined extensively by The Sentinel over the past weeks, including fear of property devaluations, and risks posed to the Somerset Dam and catchment area.
One of the other main arguments made in the submissions against the proposal is the fire risk.
“The smoke vented from a Lithium battery fire is highly toxic. Also to note, in close proximity to Somerset Dam, part of Brisbane City’s water supply,” Submission 3 said.
“Current firefighting equipment at Kilcoy wouldn’t be able to handle a Lithium Battery Energy Storage System fire.”
This connects to another major argument made, namely health concerns, with many submissions fearing cancer. “We have enough electromagnetic interference already. There’s enough cancer being caused by what we already have. Put this in a place where it is not so populated. Very angry residents,” Submission 5 read.
Many of the submissions suggested alternatives to bringing the renewable energy project to Kilcoy, such as moving the project to an industrial area instead of rural, residential zone.
“This is an industrial business and therefore should be in an already designated approved Industrial Park.
“Rural land is for farming and as such should stay that way before that too will be repurposed and that way of life will be lost,” Submission 13 said.
One of the objection submissions that stand out the most is that of the Jinibara people, which states the Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation (JPAC) is not satisfied with Enervest’s response to recommendations made by JPAC, following a field inspection by a JPAC Cultural Heritage Officer and Technical Advisor.
Jinibara people, therefore, consider the consultation process with Enervest incomplete.
“JPAC would like to ensure that the Development Application take into consideration the recommendations put forward by JPAC to Enervest as part of the Development Application process,” their submission said.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the submissions were now being considered as part of the ongoing development assessment process, with the developer also undertaking a detailed (but separate) review of all the submissions received.
“There is still a long way to go and Council may seek additional information from the developer as part of this review,” he said.
“While we welcome any applications that provide an opportunity for economic development in Somerset, and we need jobs to continue to grow and prosper, we must make an informed and balanced decision in the public interest.”
Cr Wendt said it was important for the public to know that Council welcomes development applications but does not make a final decision on an application until it has undergone a thorough assessment.
Council has a legal responsibility to review the development application on its merits and consider it under the State Government’s planning legislation.
All significant development applications which attract public submissions are decided in an open council meeting, which the public are welcome to attend.
Residents can stay up to date on the application via Council’s website, via the e services tab, searching DA24212.
