COMMUNITY members are invited to have their say on the proposed Kiewa Valley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (formally known as the Trina BESS), with the planning application now open for public comment.
Trinasolar Australia officially lodged its planning application with the Victorian government last week.
It’s proposed two hour, 500 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) will be near the Dederang substation, sitting on a 10 hectare site near bushland just out of the town.
The application is being assessed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) as the responsible authority for the project.
Alpine Shire Council is not the decision-maker in this process.
Mayor, Sarah Nicholas, encouraged residents to take the time to review the proposal and make a submission to DTP.
“We know the BESS proposals in Dederang have generated a lot of community interest, particularly around their location and potential impacts,” she said.
“As with the previous proposal, this is once again an opportunity to have your say.
“Council is not the authority assessing this application, so providing your feedback to the department is vital.
“However, we are also keen to understand the views of our community – so we invite you to send us a copy of your submission to help inform future advocacy and conversations.”
Public submissions can be made via the department’s planning portal by visiting: https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/planning-approvals/ministerial-permits-register/ministerial-permits/a253705a-04a3-ef11-8a69-000d3ad1b913
Mayor Nicholas also encouraged community members to send a copy of their submission to info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au for council’s consideration.
She said that to accommodate the strong local interest in the proposal, the monthly council meeting will once again be relocated to the Mount Beauty Community Centre in May, with council to consider a recommendation for the submission.
“Holding the meeting in Mount Beauty makes it easier for more residents to attend in person,” Cr Nicholas said.
“As the May meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Myrtleford, we will now be moving the June ordinary council meeting to Myrtleford.”
In addition, council will host three sessions on Tuesday, 6 May for community members to speak with councillors, and share their views on the BESS proposal:
• Mount Beauty, 10.30am – 12.30pm at Mount Beauty Senior Citizens Centre;
• Dederang, 2pm – 4pm, Multi-Purpose Building, Dederang Recreation Reserve; and
• Bright, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, Bright Committee Room, Bright Council office.
“These conversations matter,” Cr Nicholas said.
“Whether you’re for or against the proposal – or simply have questions – we want to hear from you.”
Sessions will be available via bookings online, which are available online now at: https://events.humanitix.com/host/alpine-shire-council
You can also book by calling council’s customer service team on (03) 5755 0555.
UPDATE: All sessions with councillors in Mount Beauty, Dederang and Bright are now booked out. Council has advised that if you’re interested in booking a session, please join the waitlist for your preferred location and council will do its best to find time for everyone interested.