A map, prepared as part of the development application, showing the project’s location off Turton Place. Photo: Supplied.
After four months of deliberation, a NSW planning panel has approved a controversial renewable energy project after a majority of members decided that council policies and conditions of consent could mitigate risks.
Australian clean energy developer ACEnergy lodged plans for a battery energy storage system (BESS) with Yass Valley Council in June 2024. As it has a price tag of more than $5 million, it was then referred to the Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP) for a decision.
The project includes 10 battery containers, an acoustic barrier and security fencing that would be built on vacant land at 3 Turton Place in Murrumbateman, on the NSW Southern Tablelands.
The application also includes landscaping, electrical sub-transmission lines and earthworks (including the removal of two native trees).
“The proposal is unlikely to result in any unacceptable amenity, environmental or land use safety impacts subject to the imposition and implementation of the conditions of development consent,” the panel wrote in its decision.
A spokesperson for ACEnergy said the company welcomed the decision, saying it would support rooftop solar and manage peak demand on the electricity grid.
“We acknowledge that this project has generated community interest and we deeply respect the diverse views that have been shared through our detailed consultation process.
“As outlined in our proposal, the project will be built to the highest standards of safety, environmental care and visual integration.”
Murrumbateman winemaker Stephanie Helm said the decision had left her and residents she had spoken with in recent days feeling “pretty deflated”.
“There’s no point really mincing words about it, we feel pretty gutted,” she told Region.
“It was a shock, because I thought that all the people who spoke at [a July] forum to the Panel had presented really legitimate concerns and convincing evidence to back up those concerns … I’m still of the opinion that the risk is far too great.”
She said that the process had left major questions around fire safety and site suitability unanswered, pointing to the July meeting, which heard that a specific battery had not been chosen for the project.
“That sort of uncertainty was what really made me nervous.”
During the meeting, several agri-tourism business owners raised concerns about potential smoke pollution and the potential chemical contamination of their land and groundwater, which could damage their businesses.
“It only takes one event [such as a fire] to destroy our entire crop. … We can’t do anything about this risk,” Ms Helm said.
“This is completely in the hands of the applicant, and they just have not engaged with the wine industry at all, so I have no confidence that they understand what could happen.”
Ms Helm maintains that the project was ill-suited for the Murrumbateman site. Photo: The Vintner’s Daughter.
In response to questions from Region, an ACEnergy spokesperson said their battery selection would meet safety standards and follow recommendations from Yass Valley Council.
They added that construction is expected to start in late 2026.
Ms Helm said she thought ACEnergy had treated community consultation as a “tick a box exercise” and hadn’t listened to locals.
The concerns about a lack of consultation were also echoed by Pauline, a resident living near the Turton Place site.
Pauline criticised what she saw as a “pointless and frustrating” process that led to a “pre-determined outcome” which “beggars belief”.
“The community wasn’t consulted. The community didn’t have a say. It was you’ve got it – bad luck … I get zero benefit from this battery.
“That block affects so many landowners around it, and people are looking directly into it.”
She said she remains concerned about the impacts on her daily life, including noise and the value of her property.
In SRPP’s decision, it recommended planting mature trees in the project site’s southwest to lessen the visual impact.
Yass Valley Council Mayor Jasmin Jones said the approval risked “tourism and amenity values” in the area, despite the planned mitigating measures.
“Staff have placed requirements that will require the applicant to seek final approval for mitigation measures such as landscaping plans, colours and materials,” she said.
“What we do know about this is that they’re usually white in order to keep the temperature down on them, so it’s going to be an 88-metre-long bank of humming batteries in the jewel of the Canberra district wine region, which is Murrumbateman.”
She also said the project brought an “industrial-style development” into a part of the Yass Valley centred around tourism and agriculture.
Councillor Allan McGrath was the only panel member who did not support the approval.
