Dederang fighting plan to build battery storage in an area of extreme bushfire risk

A Victorian community is fighting plans to build battery storage in an area of ​​extreme bushfire risk, now that the state government has closed one avenue of appeal.

Mint Renewables and Trina Solar plan to build two battery energy storage systems (BESS) near the Dederang terminal station.

“It’s just ridiculous,” Sharon McEvoy from Dederang, who owns farmland adjacent to the proposed sites in the Kiewa Valley in north-east Victoria, told AAP.

‘It faces north and is right next to bush… surrounded by bushfire control overlays.’

Ms McEvoy led a community meeting as more than 200 frustrated residents of Dederang and nearby communities filled the recreation hall and flocked to the deck and foyer.

“We know the fire risk,” she told the crowd Thursday.

“We live and breathe it every summer. We are the local CFA. The local CFA cannot fight a BESS fire.’

Battery fires can burn for several days and release toxic and flammable gases, as seen in the 2021 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,” Ms McEvoy said, fighting back tears.

‘The government is sacrificing the well-being of rural communities.’

The meeting came hours after the Victorian government announced plans to fast-track new renewable energy projects

The meeting came hours after the Victorian government announced plans to fast-track new renewable energy projects, including removing the ability for third parties to appeal planning decisions to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

AAP has approached the state government for comments.

“The voices of communities wishing to raise their concerns through a proposal will continue to be protected,” the Victorian government said in a press release launching the plan on Thursday.

“Third-party objections will still have a place in the approval process, but this change will avoid time-consuming and repetitive delays that hold these projects back for years.”

Senator Bridget McKenzie said the issue goes well beyond a matter of state planning.

“What’s happening to your community is happening across the country,” Senator McKenzie told the crowd.

“We are all on the path to net zero, but we must share the burden.”

Both China’s 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 properly based on local knowledge,” Mint said in a statement.

“We will remain open and responsive to questions and constructive feedback.”

Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy said residents should direct their concerns to Victoria’s Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.

“We are not against renewables, we just want communication,” McCurdy told the crowd.

“We want to know what’s going on.”