by Yvette Brand
Local farmers have sent a strong message that West Gippsland's agricultural land is not appropriate for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
At an information evening hosted by Baw Baw Sustainability Network in Yarragon, farmers predominantly from the Yarragon, Shady Creek and Darnum areas voiced opposition to the developments on prime farming land, indicating developers should be looking at options in the Latrobe Valley.

While welcoming a shift to renewable energy sources and the concept of BESS, farmers and residents were concerned the developments would result in loss of farmland, property devaluations, noise and elevated fire risk.
Currently there are two proposals for BESS developments in the shire. Samsung C&T Renewable Energy is proposing a BESS at 875 Darnum-Shady Creek Rd, Shady Creek while Zebre has outlined plans for a facility in Yarragon-Shady Creek Rd, Yarragon North.
Samsung sent a letter to residents in early August to advise of the proposal. "A BESS is an energy storage system that uses a group of batteries to store electrical energy from a variety of sources," the letter stated, adding the project would involve construction and operation of a BESS with a 200MW active power capacity and a 800MWh battery storage capacity.
On its website, ZEBRE - a joint venture between Taiwan Stock Exchange listed HD Renewable Energy and Australia's ZEN Energy - states the proposed 210MW BESS on a rural property would have capacity to provide the equivalent power for 66,000 homes and businesses.
"The project will be located on land previously used commercially, minimising impacts on the environment and also visual impact," it said. "North Yarragon will add significant storage and stability to Victoria's electricity grid. Battery storage is essential to supporting the state's transition to renewable energy by ensuring blackouts don't occur during periods of intermittence."
BBSN president Malcolm McKelvie told community members "we are coming towards the end of the era where we burn stuff to make energy."
He said many people had battery storage systems attached to their homes and "it's a very exciting change that's underway."
While BBSN advertised Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) development manager Stephen Mitchell would address the meeting, Mr McKelvie announced on the night that no-one would be attending from Samsung, who planned to hold its own information evening.
Chartered engineer Ian Hill provided an overview of BESS, addressing key risks and potential benefits.
He said the critical role of a BESS was to stabilise the grid during sudden generation by injecting power back into the system.
Mr Hill said BESS developments included battery banks, control systems, DC to AC conversion, a switchyard for connection to the grid, control room, fire systems and water storage and regulated noise levels.
He explained noise levels would not be constant and were emitted from the cooling systems not the batteries.
Shady Creek resident Gill Oscar said West Gippsland had not been identified in the State Government's designated renewable zone - "so why is Samsung looking at this area."
"We should be advocating for a planned approach, not just the opportunity for a development or a landowner to make money," she said.
Ms Oscar said the State Government needed to be questioned - what is the justification for BESS developments outside the renewable energy zones?
Paul Guy told the meeting their house would look directly at the Shady Creek BESS. He said they had concerns about its environmental and agricultural impact, visual amenity, light, water contamination, property values and bushfire risk but expected "noise will be a killer."
Residents raised concerns about the lack of communication and consultation about the proposals.
An adjoining property owner pleaded with BBSN members to support the farming community and oppose the proposals.
"We are allowing prime farming land to be used...it's not sustainable where it is going, it is not right in our area," he said.
Another farmer called for the developments to be located in more industrial areas.
"We are farmers and we are hurt by this. They are taking advantage of our beautiful Gippsland, our beautiful pastures that have the ability to do so much more than have a battery placed on prime agricultural land.
"People do not buy in Baw Baw Shire to have this in their backyard. There are industrial areas in the Latrobe Valley where people buy, expecting this development in their area," she said.
Meeting facilitator and BBSN member Jules Cole said while the group believed in renewables, members had no position on the proposed BESS developments and the meeting was designed to give BBSN feedback to take to Baw Baw Shire, the State Government and the developers.
Baw Baw Shire has previously confirmed its planning and development team had been briefed on BESS projects.
"The Victorian planning system enables planning permit applications to be made to the Minister for Planning (rather than the local council) including for proposals for BESS," council stated. The Victorian Planning Provisions contain provisions which apply to projects which will make a significant contribution to Victoria's economy."