Council officers have lodged an objection to the planning application for the proposed BESS at 305 Verney Road and 221 Grahamvale Road, following an independent review of the agricultural and irrigation implications of the proposal.
The review found that the key issue is not the need for battery storage infrastructure, but whether the proposed site is appropriate for this type of development.
The site is within the Shepparton Irrigation Area, is serviced by strategic irrigation infrastructure and is surrounded predominantly by intensive irrigated horticulture. The area has also benefited from significant government investment in irrigation modernisation.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers said Council strongly supported the transition to renewable energy, but developments needed to be appropriately located.
“Greater Shepparton welcomes renewable energy investment and recognises the important role battery storage will play in our future energy system. Our concern with this proposal is about the location,” he said.
“This is productive agricultural land within a declared irrigation district, supported by important irrigation infrastructure and significant public investment. We need to ensure renewable energy development does not unnecessarily compromise these strategic agricultural assets.”
“Council has demonstrated its support for renewable energy projects in appropriate locations, including the Pine Lodge BESS and renewable energy development at GV Link Enterprise Park,” Cr Akers said.
“We want to continue attracting renewable energy investment to Greater Shepparton and are willing to work constructively with developers and prospective investors to identify appropriate locations that allow renewable energy and agriculture to prosper side by side.”
The independent review also raised concerns about the cumulative loss of serviced agricultural land and identified matters requiring further consideration regarding the potential impacts of a BESS incident on nearby irrigation infrastructure, water quality, continuity of irrigation supply and surrounding horticultural production.
The planning application for the proposed Grahamvale BESS has been lodged under Victoria's Development Facilitation Program, which provides expedited planning pathways and facilitation services for eligible projects, with the Minister for Planning as the Responsible Authority.
The Council officers’ submission will be presented at the October Council Meeting for noting. Council is willing to work constructively with the proponent to explore a more appropriate location for the development within Greater Shepparton.
