Gippsland › Latest news › East Gippsland Local News
A 96-megawatt solar farm with a 150-megawatt battery at Bairnsdale will soon be reviewed by Victoria's Planning Minister
A 96-megawatt solar farm with a 150-megawatt battery at Andersons Lane, Bairnsdale, will soon be reviewed by Victoria's Planning Minister. BNRG Leeson, the developer, has sought advice from East Gippsland Shire Council.
A proposed solar farm at Andersons Lane, Bairnsdale, is expected to be considered for approval by the Victorian government's Minister for Planning in the coming months. The proposal is for a 96-megawatt photovoltaic solar installation and 150-megawatt battery energy-storage system covering approximately 176 hectares. The proponent, BNRG Leeson, is a Victorian-based renewable energy partnership which has developed solar farms in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.
The site was selected due to its proximity to a high-voltage transmission line, allowing easy grid connection. It's flat, mostly cleared, and we aim to preserve some native vegetation
Renewable facility feedback
East Gippsland Shire Council has been requested to provide pre-application advice on the proposed renewable energy facility in advance of formal lodgement of the application with the Department of Transport and Planning. Under the Victorian Planning system, the Minister for Planning is responsible for planning permit applications for all energy-generation facilities that are 1 megawatt or greater.
Mayor, Cr Tom Crook said when the application is formally lodged with the Victorian government, council and the community will be able to make formal submissions to be considered by the Minister for Planning. "We have been approached by some surrounding property owners who have concerns about the project. They will also have an opportunity to make formal submissions to the Department of Transport and Planning outlining those concerns," he said.
Community concerns addressed
Cr Crook also said, "We have provided initial advice to the Department outlining the matters that we expect to be addressed, reflecting community concerns. Once we have seen the completed application and technical reports, council will carefully consider the proposal and make a submission to the Victorian government. Council is not the decision-maker, but we will ensure that community concerns are conveyed to the Minister."
The proponent has undertaken preliminary consultation with surrounding landowners, including a public drop-in session in late 2023, and is providing updates via newsletters to local landowners to keep them informed of progress with the application. Further information about the proposal is available at the BNRG Leeson website and will also be made available on the Department of Transport and Planning website once the application is formally lodged.
Pictures from BNRG Leeson website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Peri Urban Councils welcome $5B federal coalition commitment for housing, enabling infrastructure and growthRussell Broadbent pushes bill to restore conscientious objector rights, addressing vaccine mandate injustices
Darren Chester joins nuclear energy select committee to assess Australia's future energy needs
Darren Chester confirms coalition's strong opposition to Labor's Misinformation Bill, defending free speech rights
Gippsland's Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale will be completed within weeks, says Darren Chester
Labor government fails to deliver promised energy security and affordability, despite SEC's constitutional enshrinement
Morwell Central Primary receives new flags from Darren Chester after high winds damage old set
Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to prepare for the 3G network shutdown and check impacted device on 28 October 2024
Bass Coast prepares for bushfire season through fee-free green waste disposal on 2-24 November 2024
Tim Bull slams Labor government for forcing erroneous land tax payments, burdening East Gippsland families