Council
15 October, 2024
Council wants a real look
Somerset Council has asked energy company Enervest for further information over its proposal to construct a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Hazeldean.
The request for further details regarding the visual impact of the proposal follows an expert peer review of Enervest’s visual impact assessment.
The peer review and request for additional information followed a previous request for further advice, where visual amenity concerns were among many issues raised.
According to Council, the peer review identified several items that were either lacking detail or required further consideration.
Some of these issues included:
The visibility mapping not clearly establishing areas where the BESS could be seen from, especially in elevated scenic areas such as the Deer Mountain trail and summit
A lack of landscape character impact assessment
The development not referencing water tanks for fire-fighting purposes
The initial assessment and photomontages not fully addressing all infrastructure that could have a visual impact (including lighting masts, water tanks, earthworks, and access roads)
The impact of night-time views not being addressed
The colour of batteries not being considered, as light-coloured structures would be more visible from external viewpoints
The project location and layout not clearly showing how areas of high scenic amenity have been avoided
Residential area views not being clearly identified, with one dwelling missing from the assessment;
The potential impact of the 10-metre cutting on the south of the site not being clearly described, as it would most likely be visible in elevated views from the north
The lack of shorter timeframes for vegetation screening options, with the proposed screening option calculated to take up to 20 years to provide full screening of the site
Council has asked Enervest to provide additional information and make revisions to its visual impact assessment, offering details of all elements that could contribute to the project’s visual impact.
This includes confirming the height, size, and materials used, along with the location of all buildings, fences, storm-water infrastructure, light poles, and water tanks.
Council has also asked Enervest to provide an updated photomontage from various viewpoints, including the Deer Mountain trail and summit, along with additional assessments representing views from elevated residential areas to the north, south, and east.
This additional assessment is expected to include a visit to the worst-affected dwellings, if access is granted, with the assessment supported by a photomontage.
Enervest is also being asked to provide additional information regarding proposed lighting for the site and its impact on surrounding properties.
An Enervest Hazeldean project spokesperson said Enervest is “working diligently” through the development application requests.
“We will make additional information, including that relating to visual amenity, publicly available at the appropriate time,” they said.
Enervest’s current decision period was paused on July 17, following the first Further Advice request put forth by Council.
The decision period is set to restart on January 17, 2025, to allow Enervest sufficient time to respond to the matters raised by Council.
If approved, Enervest’s proposed BESS will be one of the largest in Queensland, having a battery storage capacity of up to 800MW/1,600MWh, comprising approximately 256 inverters and 512 battery enclosures.
To read Council’s full requests regarding visual amenity concerns, visit Council’s website, use the e-services tab, and search for DA24212.
