Gara Battery Energy Storage System

Gara BESS - Lynette

Modern Slavery

Cadeema’s PRELIMINARY SITE INVESTIGATION -
POTENTIAL FOR CONTAMINATION
says:

*Based on historical land use, the highest risk of land contamination is associated with the potential for land contamination presented by agricultural activities.*

Add *The ‘Armidale Regional Council Landfill’ listed on the National Waste Management Facilities Database is located approximately 1.5km south of Lot 1 DP246878. It is noted in the Gara Battery Energy Storage System Scoping Document (May 2024) that” it is unlikely that the landfill will be in use during the development and construction phase of the BESS as Council intends to exhaust the capacity of the landfill prior to use”. While the landfill site is located 1.5 km away and is currently inactive, it is unlikely to have significant implications on the BESS once it becomes operational, given the distance, position in the landscape and the measures typically in place to mitigate any potential impacts and therefore does not present any cause for concern.*



I absolutely object to the Gara Battery Energy Storage System - ie. ‘SWINDLE FACTORY’ proposal, a dangerously misguided project that layers irreversible harms—environmental, agricultural, economic, and national security—under the guise of a “green” energy transition.
It must be halted in its tracks.

With unethical Chinese Lithium-ion Batteries now flooding into Australia due to the Government’s sabotaging priorities and RenewaBULLs - including ACEnergy’s GARA Bis-FASI BESS BOMB clearly being THE ASBESTOS OF THE FUTURE - the plethora of seriously detrimental impacts are ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR THE GREATER GOOD!

1. Persistent “Forever Chemicals” Contamination
Lithium-ion batteries contain Bis‑FASI, a toxic subclass of PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals”—that persist in the environment and endanger health.
“Toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ used in lithium-ion batteries … present a dangerous source of chemical pollution that new research finds threatens the environment and human health.”
These chemicals have been detected across soil, water, air—even snow—around manufacturing sites, indicating widespread environmental mobility and persistence. (Guardian)
Alarmingly, “They are toxic – just one drop in an Olympic-size swimming pool can harm the nervous system of animals.”
(CSIRO)

The storage and disposal of these batteries pose severe contamination risks: “Rechargeable batteries cause PFAS pollution … Bis‑FASIs … were detected in water, soil and sediment … in landfills."
(E&E News by POLITICO)

Impacts: Irreparable damage to soil, groundwater, surrounding waterways, agriculture, wildlife, and human health—especially concerning for RU1 farmland, local ecosystems, and water supplies.

2. Extreme Fire Risks & Inadequate Response Measures.
Lithium-ion battery fires are uniquely hazardous, difficult to extinguish, and resistant to certification.
CSIRO’s ActivFire® advisory explicitly states: “It has not and will not certify … any fire extinguisher can effectively extinguish a Li‑Ion battery fire.”
Verification Services
Reinforcing this: “No Australian … standard exists … to provide performance requirements for extinguishing Li‑Ion battery fires.”
(afac.com.au)
Community experience shows that “It can take approximately 3,000 gallons (11,356 liters) of water … to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire … Fire extinguishers are completely useless in Li‑ion fires…”
(Reddit)

Impacts: catastrophic suppression challenges, firefighter risk, massive water demand, repeated reignition threats, and threats to community and environmental safety.

3. Agricultural, Ecological & Waterway Damage.
Loss of 423 ha of prime RU1 farmland means irreversible displacement of essential food-producing land and ecosystem services.
Food safety is compromised by contamination pathways threatening livestock and crop integrity.
Nearby sensitive ecological zones—Gara Dam, Yina, and Imbota reserves—as well as critical waterways (Burying Ground Creek, Gara River, Commissioners Waters) are vulnerable to toxic runoff and fire-induced harm.

4. Economic Burden & Energy Inequity
The project’s staggering costs, driven by subsidies, greatly push up electricity prices, deepening energy poverty—especially in rural communities.
Taxpayer funds are being squandered on hazardous, inefficient infrastructure, rather than supporting resilient, local energy and agricultural systems.

5. Grid Instability & National Security Exposure
Non-synchronous systems like large-scale BESS reduce grid inertia, making the NEM more prone to collapse during disturbances.
Reliance on foreign-made components increases exposure to cyber vulnerabilities and foreign control—our most pressing geopolitical adversaries exploit this.

6. Institutional Failures & Policy Capture
CSIRO’s GenCost Report and the ISP are widely criticized for ideological skew and lack of engineering foundation, yet wrongly remain influential in regulatory decision-making.
TransGrid, prioritising infrastructure alignment with ISP narratives, risks advancing vested interests at the expense of the public.
Policy formulation has been compromised by overlapping roles: former energy ministers and bureaucratic executives serving simultaneously in advisory and regulatory capacities—creating conflicts and threatening governance integrity.

Summary
The Gara‑BESS proposal isn’t just misguided—it is a toxic, dangerous, and economically ruinous project that:
Contaminates land, water, and food systems with persistent chemicals
Poses extreme fire and emergency hazards without certified suppression means.
Sacrifices agricultural productivity and ecosystem integrity.
Drives up costs for communities with no strategic value.
Weakens grid stability and invites external control.
Epitomizes regulatory capture and policy failure under the “Fake Green RenewaBULL Swindle.”

This project must be stopped immediately. We demand a transparent, science-led, integrity-grounded approach to energy planning—one that preserves public health, food security, economic resilience, and sovereign energy independence.

Research Sources Utilised
A. Battery PFAS Contamination
1.Duke University / Nature Communications
Researchers identified a troubling subclass of PFAS—called bis‑perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides (bis‑FASIs)—used in lithium-ion batteries, and showed these chemicals are persistent and ecotoxic, comparable to notoriously harmful compounds like PFOA and GenX.
Duke Pratt School of Engineering

2.ScienceDaily / Texas Tech University
The study found bis‑FASIs polluting air and water near battery-related facilities. These substances demonstrated high environmental persistence and toxicity.
ScienceDaily
Phys.org

3.CSIRO (Article: “Taking the ‘forever’ out of ‘forever chemicals’…”)
CSIRO confirms that bis‑FASIs have been detected widely in soils and waters around the world and are toxic at extremely low levels—even one drop in an Olympic-sized swimming pool can harm an animal’s nervous system.
CSIRO

4.Futurity (Duke University)
The growing production, use, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries are linked to increasing PFAS contamination from bis‑FASIs.
Futurity

5.PubMed Abstract
This peer-reviewed summary reinforces that bis‑FASIs are as environmentally persistent and toxic as long-regulated PFAS, confirming the clean energy sector is an emerging source of these pollutants.
PubMed

B. Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Risks & Extinguisher Limitations
1.CSIRO ActivFire® Advisory Note AN‑004
CSIRO explicitly states it "has not and will not certify … that any fire extinguisher can effectively extinguish a Li‑Ion battery fire."
Verification Services

2.AFAC (Fire and Emergency Services Advisory)
AFAC warns that, despite marketing claims, no Australian or New Zealand testing or certification exists for fire extinguishers intended for lithium-ion battery fires.
afac.com.au

3.Firewize (Fire Protection Association Australia)
Firewize confirms that no recognised standard validates the use of portable extinguishers for Li‑Ion fires, emphasising that standard extinguishers—though compliant with general legislation—are not suitable for Li‑Ion risks.
Firewize

4.Tesla Emergency Guide (via Reddit)
A widely cited quote notes:
“It can take approximately 11,300 litres of water to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire … Fire extinguishers are completely useless in Li‑Ion fires… no sufficient thermal mass.”
Reddit

Summary Table
Hazard Category - Battery PFAS Contamination
Source - CSIRO, Duke, Texas Tech, Futurity, PubMed
Key Insight - Bis‑FASIs in Li‑ion batteries are pervasive, persistent, and toxic.

Hazard Category: Fire Extinguishers & Risk
Source - CSIRO AN‑004, AFAC, Firewize, Reddit
Key Insight - No certified extinguisher exists; Li‑ion fires require tens of thousands of litres of water to suppress.

I oppose the Gara BESS because it will negatively impact the nature reserves are situated around the site, including Gara Dam and Yina Nature Reserve. I am also concerned about the potential contamination of waterways in the area, including Burying Ground Creek and Gara River.
No agricultural land should ever be destroyed in such a way. Fire risk and fire pollution risk is too high on this site.

There has not been due consultation regarding this proposal. I have spoken to colleagues who work in Armidae and live nearby yet they know nothing of this proposal. This proposed site is very near several nature reserves including Gara Dam, Yona Nature Reserve and Imbota Nature Reserve.
First Nations friends who frequent these reserves and live in the area know nothing of the his proposed project.
It is shameful to suggest that there has been consultation.
Native pasture is prevalent.
The entire renewable rollout has been shameful and Stalin-like 5-year industrialisation project with selfish city coastal desire for more and more at the disrespect and disregard of rural communities.
I not opposed to renewable energy however keep.it local -keep in in and on the city and coastal communities.

SAVE OUR MACLEAY someone. Cumulative Threats coming. Stop them All. Object to Gara BESS! Halt All Further processing of Gara BESS.
Don't you know you can run an entire city just by manipulating gravity, all Without Unnecessary Harm and Loss to All On Country Lands Waterways and Communities Rural Australian and World's, being the Unnecessary RE transition and associated BESS and Overhead Transmission Lines Infrastructures En Masse Way to Profit Globally.
Gara BESS Cease and Desist Immediately.
Threat to Macleay Catchments reasons, Cumulative, nb.
https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/06/erin-brockovich-lawsuit-moss-landing-power-plant-fire/
Site issues include:-

- Operation of the BESS..is expected to be primarily remote with minimal on-site staff.
- "The potential replacement of batteries during the operational life of the project, with appropriate transport and disposal requirements for hazardous materials."

Note - Hazardous materials sited in bushland setting including Precious TSRs and a World Heritage Listed region of High Value downstream are serious site issues upon Vital Upper Tributary Sacred Macleay Catchments to the sea.

The scoping report suggests an operational lifespan 40 years, although the company says that is more likely to be 23 years ! Too much of a long term Risk are BESS sited out of town and unmonitored yet hazardous.
Project Area and Footprint of Gara BESS ends in the Ocean, Pacific. Correct.
There are 3 reasons to Halt All Further processing of Gara BESS.

Potential Risk and Impact to one entity at risk of serious and irreversible impact (SAII), White Box - Yellow Box -Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.

Add Increased edge effects on retained vegetation, Potential for habitat fragmentation. Approx. 8.26 ha of the critically endangered ecological community would be retained in the Buffer Area, but fragmented for No reason, no reason.
Add, Mobilization of sediments and contaminants into waterways, being heavy metals threats into upper tributary Macleay Catchments, Sacred.
Others include:-
● The total development site area is approximately 34.37 hectares. Unnecessary.
● The area accommodating the BESS infrastructure is approximately 13.5 hectares. No need for them.
Land Tenure Arrangements include Lot 7003 DP1060212 and Lot 7009 DP1060213 (travelling stock reserves). I Demand NSW TSRs be out of the hands of LLS plus ARC plus Mayor ARC plus Councillors ARC plus gov.au. Causing Harm and Loss to Biodiversity reasons.
Protect what's left of Endangered Biodiversity, someone.
Lock up all NSW TSRs and have them managed by Knowledge Holder Indigenous Elders only - Real ridgy didge Elders of Knowledge - because Macleay Vital Upper Tributary Catchments are Sacred Sacred Sacred and sadly in Armidale, Uralla, Walcha regions under Unnecessary Threats Unlike Ever before being RE transition Unnecessary in on upon Catchments Macleay Sacred, yes, Sacred.
Who does Cultural Heritage assessments in Armidale region I want to know.
Not only is the new Regional Waste Depot for Armidale region sited Upstream from a World Heritage Listed region Gondwana Rainforests Macleay Catchments being the Rarest Type of Rainforests upon Earth nb, now the plan is Toxic Infrastructures named BESS, solar farms, wind farms, overhead transmission lines new and a Higher Voltage nb, not all in the assessment I noticed.

Acenergy’s scoping report did not consider the cumulative effects of so many projects being underway around Armidale was an issue, but the local council did, but went ahead and made multimillion deals anyway!
In scoping report:-
”Is the project action part of a staged development or related to other actions or proposals in the region?”
1.2.6 “No.”

That is BS!

Protect Macleay Vital Upper Tributary Catchments from ARC, Uralla Council and Walcha council who surround a World Heritage Listed region under Threats from REZ Unnecessary because because because All wind and solar developments can be On Rooftops Only in NSW without Unnecessary Harm and Accumulative Loss to All On Country Lands Waterways and Communities Rural Australian and World's.
I Demand an Immediate Moratorium on RE transition in Australia Immediately.
I Demand BESS be Banned from Australia Immediately.
I Demand Immediate Moratorium on Lithium Ion batteries.
Next 8 Generations consider. ARC hasn't. Sack the government someone!.
What is going on upon in on into Precious Precious Upper Tributary Catchments Macleay? Take Over is it, of Rural Lands and Waterways by Multinationals Global Shop Direct, Directing Marketing Globally for profit purposes only yes, that's right.
Who does Protect World Heritage Listed regions from gov.au, nsw.gov.au, planning etc? Anyone ? No-one? No-one? No-one. I'm trying to. Not heard yet.
Sack gov.au Now. Threat to World Significant World Heritage Listed regions of High Biodiversity Rare and Endangered, under threats unlike ever before, including fire. BESS are known to ignite. Minimal monitoring of BESS facility proposed. Hazardous materials threats to Waterways upper tributary Macleay.

Gara BESS is 12 to 14 km from Armidale.

I Demand an Immediate Investigation of "clean energy". There is No such thing, no such thing.
ACEnergy claim 'ACEnergy is an Australian clean energy developer'. 
There is No such thing, no such thing.
ACEN claim they "specialize in cutting-edge battery storage systems that enhance energy reliability and reduce environmental impact". Reduce environmental impact !!! BS If the PM can say Bullshit in public so can I.
Let's stop the Bullshit Now.
Expose the Scams aplenty going going on and on across Rural Australia, Rural Australia, Rural, Why?
Don't you Agree it needs a Discussion -  Why the RE transition is all over Rural Australia and Not On Rooftops Only all over Australia.
Read these statements from :-
- "New big battery joins approval queue amid rush to secure sites in popular New England REZ". Really ? Who says ? Well ? A queue in view to secure sites in popular NZREZ? Who said that ? Who? What is going on? Take Over of Rural lands, Aussies. Don't let it happen, Aussies, or we lose everything including Our rights and Our Freedom. Yeah. Watch Out, AI About! Quick. Stop it Now, Aussies. AI uses too much electricity and too much water, Aussies.
Guess who gets to use it for FREE, Aussies. Gov.au, nsw.gov.au, qld.gov.au etc etc etc. All day long too at a Cost To You, Aussies, and the environment, sadly.
The increase in energy consumption, driven by rapid electrification, data consumption, etc is a Serious Issue, Aussies, serious.
Wake Up Australians! You will have to Pay for All this Infrastructure RE note, RE note note note ie Re-new, Re-new....over and over again until when ? Next idea that can Profit big time Multinationals Global Shop Direct, Directing Marketing Globally for profit purposes only.
"Solar energy developer ACEnergy has announced its plan to set up a portfolio of distribution-scale..(BESS) in regional Australia. The company is also calling for industry collaboration to introduce reforms that will expedite the rollout of renewable energy projects". Hmmm...well well well, control over gov.au eh. Get out of Our Country, ACEnergy.
Hurry Up.
Cease and Desist Gara BESS Armidale region Macleay Sacred Lands Catchments under Unnecessary Threats Unlike Ever before for No reason but Multinationals Global Shop Direct, Directing Marketing Globally for profit purposes only.
Net Zero is A Scam and an obvious one.
There is No such thing as "clean energy". No such thing. BESS are Toxic to environment. Not Clean at all.
https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/06/erin-brockovich-lawsuit-moss-landing-power-plant-fire/
Cease and Desist BESS development in Australia Immediately I Demand.
Don't you know you can run an entire city just by manipulating gravity, all Without Unnecessary Harm and Loss to All On Country Lands Waterways and Communities Rural Australian and World's.
Clean Energy Council needs to be under investigation of course. False Claims reasons. About time someone stopped them spreading false information. Hurry Up. They're getting away with, as are gov.au, nsw.gov.au, vic.gov.au, etc etc etc serving Multinationals Global Shop Direct, Directing Marketing Globally for profit purposes only.
I Demand an Immediate Moratorium on BESS today.

ARC with Councillors endorsed an agreement at OCM Wed 26 Feb 2025, an agreement to a benefit sharing arrangement with energy company ACEnergy which could see millions of dollars invested in the community - In Exchange for What - Toxic Infrastructures prone to Fires and Contamination of Air Lands Waterways upper tributary Macleay IF nb IF approved nb nb nb!
“We are very excited to see this benefit sharing framework come to fruition and be partnering with ACENERGY Pty Ltd,” said ARC Mayor Sam Coupland. NB community Never consulted !
“We are looking forward to the contributed funds being invested in and applied to community projects that will have a massive intergenerational benefit to our region" he says. Nb Community Never consulted !
“..with the success we’ve seen in negotiating many millions for the community.." he says, NB without consultation with Rate Payers and residents ARC region nor with Our Knowledge Permission or Consent note. We don't need Money. We need Service by ARC, seriously lacking, as they Waste Our Money and make Us Pay for it!!
“We didn’t choose the Renewable Energy Zone but it is our mining boom and we need to make sure that our community receives its fair share of benefit from supporting the States transition to net zero.” he says. “mining boom”…”transition to net zero” ?? Mining boom…transition to net zero” ! Net Zero Is a Scam ! How does he get away with it? Mayor Never consults with Community is how!

He is NOT our spokeperson you see.
Assured is it - Gara BESS? Oh no it isn't.
I Demand Mayor Coupland be under investigation, Minister Joyce. A "transition to net zero" he says ! Misleading the public I say. Do something Minister !

A plethora of Cyber & Security Vulnerabilities are embedded in this treacherous, Gara BESS plan from predatory ACEnergy.

Dominating use of Chinese BESS components introduces hidden backdoors and remote exploits.

Hackers will use BESS infrastructure to sabotage power supply or manipulate Australia’s Electricity Grid.

Critical Energy infrastructure should never be exposed to unverified, compromised technology manufactured by the CCP - our most hostile enemy.

https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/crying-shame-inside-the-demise-of-australia-s-only-battery-maker-20250901-p5mrl4

Australia Dumps Dollar for Yuan
https://youtu.be/99jHRM9MpXA?si=KWMWE4M0FVUD4Sha

Submission objecting to the Gara BESS Project being granted a planning permit or in any way proceeding to construction.
1. This Gara BESS will permanently pollute the farmland it is on. The Gara BESS is a parasitic Battery complex that operates by taking in electricity at lower prices, hoping it will be able to resell it when a shortfall drives prices higher. It is explained as.
“The intermittent nature of wind and solar resources creates the need for ‘back-up’ capacity to support any supply gaps”.
This statement alone clearly sets out. That by their intermittent and unreliable nature of electricity production, (because of an unreliable supply of ‘weather’ fuel) solar farms and wind farms. Should never be considered as an economic or dependable electricity generator for supplying baseload electricity to a modern electricity grid. To add a BESS to the mix, does not produce one MWh of power and actually loses 16% of the power, having to convert it from AC to DC current going into the BESS. And again converting the current via Inverters from DC to AC current when transferring out of the BESS. This loss via conversion only increases the price to the end user. High prices do as much damage to economies as shortages of supply.
2. This Gara BESS is completely unnecessary and worthless. This is because all the Federal and State Net Zero emission goals, Emission Reduction goals and Carbon emission limits on big polluters, are all a waste of money, effort, and will not reduce Global emissions by one iota. The reason is that while Australia’s emissions of Co2 are approximately 1.3% of the World’s emissions at the same time China emits 30% of the World’s emissions and is still growing. Any reduction in Australia’s emissions will be quickly replaced by China’s emissions.
3. This Gara BESS is totally reliant on Climate Change subsidies and mandated energy retailer policies, without which it would never be built. Or if the subsidies, etc are removed this Gara BESS will be abandoned. Further if the Gara BESS cannot afford the cost of building the HV Transmission necessary to connect to the Grid. It is ridiculous for electricity consumers and taxpayers to have to pay for the connecting HV Transmission Lines.
4. Importantly this Gara BESS has not made adequate provision for the outbreak of a wildfire. Firebreaks are grossly inadequate and fixed water tanks are next to useless, particularly in BESS fires. In Victoria CFA fire fighters are refusing to enter Renewable Factories. Water bombers would not water bomb the Gara BESS because of the risk of explosions The risk to surrounding rural residents is frightening.
5. As well this Gara BESS has made no financial provision for the dismantling and restoration of the site. Or the cost of the disposal of the toxic, batteries and associated toxic junk. This is why this Gara BESS is not a net contributor to the electricity generation system or a viable economic proposition and should never be built.

Gara BESS offers virtually no community benefit—no firm power, no long-term employment, no significant reinvestment. The impact on the local economy is minimal or negative.
If the community carries all the risk but sees no lasting benefit, how can this be considered responsible or equitable planning?

Proponents of Gara BESS have not meaningfully addressed local concerns, including fire, land use, water contamination, and amenity loss. Communities have valid objections, not “NIMBYism”.
If rural Australia is expected to carry the environmental and safety risks of national energy policy, what protections exist when things go wrong—and where are those guarantees in writing?

There is no clear, enforceable plan to rehabilitate the land once the battery system reaches end-of-life. Decommissioning statements are vague, and no restoration bond appears to be proposed.
If in 30 years the company no longer exists and the land is too contaminated to farm, who ensures this once-productive area is ever restored—or is it simply sacrificed?

Battery fires, while rare, can be catastrophic—burning for days, emitting toxic gases, and spreading quickly under rural wind conditions. Lithium-ion systems are particularly volatile, and once thermal runaway begins, little can stop it.
If a fire breaks out during harvest season, consumes surrounding properties, and causes lasting air and soil contamination, who will be held responsible—and why isn’t that question clearly answered before approval is granted?

Without essential synchronous inertia the intermittent, Fake Green Swindle Factories like ACEnergy’s GARA BESS JUNK are insuring Grid instability and inevitable collapse.

Without synchronous inertia, any disturbance (line fault, generator failure) can cascade rapidly - seconds away from collapse.

A typical, toxic BESS FIRE disaster during instability would compound failure and disaster risk exponentially.

Armindale’s emergency and health systems are not equipped for a major industrial fire or chemical incident involving lithium-ion batteries.
If the town’s only hospital becomes contaminated by battery fire smoke, what then—and who’s responsible?

There’s no operational plan to destroy PFAS should contamination occur. CSIRO is still researching viable destruction methods.
If the CSIRO doesn’t find a solution for another 10 years, what’s the plan for contaminated soil, water, and livestock in the meantime?

Studies show high PFAS levels in firefighters’ blood after exposure. Rural brigades are especially at risk without protective gear and decontamination equipment.
If a local volunteer firefighter suffers long-term illness from chemical exposure, who will fund their treatment—retirement-aged farmers?

ACEnergy’s Gara BESS is a dangerous plan that neglects the need for essential, sovereign energy sources that are far superior, reliable, robust, efficient, affordable, secure, 24/7 Australian energy options.

Investing in hazardous, intermittent, unethical CCP reliant BESS when better local alternatives already exist is completely irrational and treacherous.

Despite being promoted as ‘renewable,’ Gara BESS is not one bit ‘clean or sustainable’ and undercuts energy reliability, sovereignty, and cost-effectiveness.

Surface PFAS runoff from fire events can enter local creeks, dams, and catchments—poisoning livestock and crops.
Will farmers be compensated if PFAS enters a stock dam—and by whom, if no contamination admission is made?

There is no publicly detailed emergency evacuation plan, chemical response strategy, or containment procedure in case of major fire.
When fire breaks out and wind carries chemicals into nearby farms, who will coordinate response—the SES, the developer, or no one?

Gara BESS plan is disastrously harmful
for Australian Agriculture.

Public money poured into inefficient, hazardous infrastructure rather than supporting robust agriculture is a display of corrupt priorities.

Decreased farm productivity and viability from poisonous Gara BESS Monstrosity will spark economic downturn & Public Health and Safety Disaster in surrounding communities.

Long-term dependence - with reliance on the CCP’s costly, pathetically intermittent, unethical infrastructure creates unsustainable economic dynamics and is sabotaging Australia’s Electricity Grid.

Local voices have been sidelined in the rush to approve this state-significant project. Safety, land, and livelihoods deserve greater respect.
If the residents of Armidale object, but no one listens, does that mean the project is “accepted”—or just imposed?

Gara BESS is parasitic by nature—it cannot function without upstream generation. Yet, it is being sold as an independent energy solution.
Why are we investing in storage systems before securing the energy that needs storing?