Kingswood Battery Energy Storage System

Objection document is attached to this submission

Please refer to the attached submission.

Whilst I agree with renewables, I totally disagree with the Kingswood BESS project ever proceeding.
I live two blocks away from this proposal and we never believed such a project would ever be approved
This will be the third BESS proposed project within a km of my property. When we purchased and built on this land 21 years ago, there was no talk of any commercial project in a rural/ residential area, why would this be allowed to proceed when its so close to rural / residential houses? I sure no one would ever agree to such projects next door to them, so why should we?
I have had two Independant valuations on my property within the last three months (please see attached pdf), both have stated if all these projects were to proceed, we would have a hard time selling our 20acres and house, and if we do sell, it would be at a heavily reduced price of around 25%. This would mean that we would lose around $500,000 of the actual valuation at it stands now. This property is our future for us and our children. These projects are totally destroying our future, we have spent years paying off the loans, developing the grounds and making our house a home, only to have it all destroyed by these projects
I'm not against renewables, but against the actual location and what that means to the local environment and outlook.
My major concerns are as follows, due to this project and the other two project, being Calala Bess & Tamworth Bess, the combined effect of all three projects with be terrible for all local residents.
1) Visual - the size and scale of these projects will totally destroy the whole area.
2) Noise - Each one of these battery storage systems have a cooling fan attached that is to be run 24hrs a day
3) Traffic - This road is a dirt road and is constantly closed due to flooding along Burgmann's Lane. The amount of extra traffic during construction will totally destroy an already bad surface into a complete mess. I hope the developers will be made to upgrade the road, especially for the locals that will be dramatically affected. I know council will be paid a fee of around 0.5% of the total construction cost of this project from the developers, can they be made to upgrade the road for the locals that are affected the most?
4) De valuation of surrounding properties, the residents within a km should be compensated for having to put up with such a dismal outlook that will destroy the whole area, or the developers should be made to buy out these affected residents to create a buffer zone between projects
5) Community engagement, this particular project has had very little community engagement, are they just hoping to sneak this project through without real consultation with the local residents? What do the local residents get out of this project? What about compensation?
When are looking at approval of this project, please do consider the effect this is having on the locals, my family has been distressed by all projects and what it means for our future. To us, we are very concerned and upset that through no fault of our own, our life will change forever if these combined projects proceed.

I object to this proposal.
My submission is attached

I object to the Kingswood Battery Storage System because of the environmental impact it will have on the local land and local residents living in the area. It will ruin the opportunity for the local area to expand housing projects in Calala as no one will want to wake up looking at a complete eye sore of a project which is proposed in the wrong area. Land and house values will decrease, risk of containmation to the environment from leaks or fires, Calala will inturn become and industrial area in the future. Find another lot of land further out of town for this project, because we all know what goes hand in hand with Battery systems, and that's Solar Farms. So in short I object to this development.

The proposed site is approximately 1km from my residence, this is the second proposed battery farm I have objected to with the Tamworth Battery Farm proposed on the adjacent property west of the Kings wood project. Neither of these projects are FIT FOR PURPOSE in these locations. These and all surrounding properties are Rural/small Hobby Farm/residential. With medium density residential Estates less than 1 kilometer away I find it extremely hard to comprehend industrial developments of this scale with the potential for an unprecedented environmental and ecological damage to not just the adjoining properties but the community as a whole due to the proposed location been so close to the town Centre and within a high density area of Calala as mentioned, LESS than one kilometer away.
This land should be reserved for future residential growth only been so close to the town center.
This 270 Mega Watt Eyesore has the potential to be explosive if and when it is hit by a direct lightning strike. I would assume in the case of one module been hit by lightning that a domino effect would occur simulating a large earthquake in this region. I have not seen any evidence of how any company can mitigate this risk. I would request that a detailed RISK assessment on how the company would respond to such an event occurring. Stating that they have systems in place to prevent is NOT sufficient, as at the end of the day there is no system that can guarantee 100%.
As these sites appear to be all unmanned and all controlled REMOTELY, recent events of Cyber attacks with CROWDSTRIKE shutting down global systems should send out ALARM bells loud and clear that any remote controlled system is prone to failure. The repercussions are too severe
DPIE and any government body in this approval process should demand 100% guarantee from the developer that this can not occur, this must be in writing and systems must be put in place to ensure the safety of all adjoining properties, the critical infrastructure power grid it is connecting to, and the Tamworth Community as a whole.
On a similar line, what is the impact on adjoining properties and properties in the area regards insurance costs, will our insurance on our property increase, are we now liable if something happens to these projects that are reportable worth in excess of 200 million dollars, is there a government insurance policy in place to protect residents or are all insurance issues covered by the developer/project owner. We are entitled to surety.
This area has been inundated with solar farms, battery farms, all within a few kilometers of where I live, all properties have been acquired unethically with owners been coerced into NDA's. This underhanded acquisition of land is Un Australian and should not be allowed.
The impact of all these developments should be assessed as the cumulative effect not the individual effect. Rest assured if they were NONE would have got off the ground.

I live adjacent to the proposed site for the Kingswood BESS project and am absolutely convinced that this facility will have a detrimental affect on the land and on others living in this area as follows:
1. The occupation and making redundant of perfectly productive agricultural and residential land by the unethical re-zoning of the land to accommodate a "not fit for purpose" project and hence limiting possibilities and opportunities as our city expands into these areas.
2. Being detrimental to the cosmetic appearance of the area by battery modules that have a likeness to shipping containers which are not typical of rural/semi-rural structures and a complete eyesore which will only devalue the surrounding properties with a great loss of asset worth to their heavily invested owners .
3. There is/has been a sneaky undercurrent of deception and lack of transparency underway as some landholders have been offered well over market value for their land and coerced into entering NDA’s (Non disclosure agreements), so adjoining neighbours did not find out their intentions and the developers can "fly under the radar."
4. DPIE has been approving these projects on an individual basis as opposed to the cumulative effect of multiple similar projects—Again sneaky and underhanded with no respect for the residents affected
5. The dangers, noise and road damage due to excess traffic created in the construction and ongoing maintenance of the project.
6. The unknown cummulative affect(s) this and other similar projects in the area will have on our personal health due to issues related to EMF damage, noise and air pollution and other problems not listed here.

Generally:
All this is based on the Climate Change fraud with our Governments compromised by lobby groups instead of representing Australians. It appears that our Government(s) are not looking at all the science available in making comprehensive decisions, for the better, and long term advantage, and how they spend our tax dollars prudently. Where is the opportunity for discussions between the Government and the citizens on "climate change" and the multiple sources of energy available. Why and how did the Government arrive at their decision(s).
Insurance cost impacts on all surrounding properties—with the cost of these projects reportedly over 200 million dollars each, will that increase and/or create liability issues?
Foreign owned companies involved in critical infrastructure is a security threat to Australia (Iberdrola is Spanish owned company.) The Iberdrola Battery is 270 Mega Watt—This equates to a 270 Mega Watt Bomb in the case of a direct lightning strike. It is fair to assume that if one of the battery modules was hit by lightning a domino effect would occur creating a massive explosion that would be like a major earthquake hitting Tamworth, probably take out half of Calala—Question is, what are the developers doing to mitigate this risk?? And what guarantees of safety can they provide the adjoining properties and the community as a whole?
Do they have a detailed risk assessment and full procedures in the case of an unforeseen event?
As the sites are unmanned—How do they provide experts onsite in an emergency to shutdown or control the system should remote control systems fail—We have seen the effect of Global Systems outages. Where is the back up?
These are just some of the concerns that I have and I am requesting that this project does not proceed until further discussion is had between us (those affected the most) and those who represent the Government in making these decisions.
Regards
Ross Pevy

I STRONGLY OBJECT to the proposed development of the battery storage system.

I support sustainable energy but not at the sacrifice of local residents and community. If this battery plant goes ahead it will impact local neighbours and residents significantly. Home devaluation is a core concern - locals have been told they will lose over 600k on their property if this project goes ahead. Little compensation has been provided to locals. You need to cover FULL property loss and pay them fairly. I'm so disappointed government and industry are NOT appropriately looking after and caring for local residents - particularly neighbouring homes.

This new battery plant will result in environmental and visual pollution. Locals purchased in the area to look out at the natural regional landscape not 100s of mass batteries. The plant needs to be hidden and 'blended' into the environment via a full 3m high (over whatever height the batteries are) blockage wall. The wall will need to have sound proofing features to compensate for the terrible/ 24/7 'buzz' sound the batteries will make. Locals do NOT want to see or hear this plant. I request full landscaping and adult trees be placed around the entire site and blockage wall so that this development can at the very least blend better with our beautiful country landscape.

I'm concerned about what fire mitigation measures are in place in the event of a fire? Are Tamworth firemen equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources to act and put out a mass battery fire? Or will it be too late if a fire were to occur?

I'm concerned about community welfare and stress caused from this project. Mental health is at risk for those most effected and their families. What are you going to do to support the mental health and daily stress now being imposed on neighbouring properties?

I'm highly concerned about the location decision of this plant. It should be relocated further out of town where no neighbour is effected for at least a 1km radius. The impacts on locals are just too damaging. How are we able to put government agenda and profits ahead of local community and well-being? How can we allow people to lose their life savings? How can we allow local neighbours to hear and see noise pollution on a daily basis? If you make LARGE sums from this project at the very least give back to the locals and those most at risk.

Please relocate this plant further out of town. I call for an immediate end to this project.

I strongly object to the project and call for a cease and desist. The battery plant will: *devalue homes *become an eyesore *disrupt locals livelihoods and well-being.

These new battery plants are located too close to local residents and communities. Please consider relocation of all battery sites particularly the Tamworth and Kingswood plants to further out of town.

Please compensate all main homeowners for the full loss on their properties. Many have had estimate home evaluations if the project goes ahead and I ask you to fully compensate them for their massive financial and living costs.

Locals now call on you to add a blockage wall around the entire site. Full landscaping and adult trees around the entire wall are requested. To at the very least lock in noise and hide its appearance. Locals want to look at the land and surrounding landscape NOT hundreds of huge batteries each day. My heart goes out to out community.

My friends want to start to contact media agencies. I hope they do. I hope this project does not go ahead.

A final call out to cease and desist. A final call out to help our locals and particularly those located close to the site. Its pure greed to not help and fully compensate those most affected.

I am very concerned about the proposed battery backup system to be located in Kingswood Tamworth. I do believe that we need renewable energy , however do we need to put it in a residential area , which has lovely homes and rural outlooks? This new project will ruin the the whole area. What does that mean to the neighbouring land owners? how will it affect them? these battery storage systems are very large , ugly and noisy.
Have the planners and developers of this project looked into providing a noise wall and maybe a lot of trees around the proposed site? will this be part of the actual project? If not, it should be !
I am sure that I wouldn't want to live next door to such a huge project I'm sure it would be hard to sell a house next door if this project does proceed.
What would it do to the property values of the immediate neighbours ? are they being compensated for their loss? I believe the poor neighbours should be fully compensated, I think you are all barking mad if you don't consider the compensation for the immediate neighbours.
What about the traffic? especially it being on a dirt road, are the developers fixing up the road? It does flood along that road.
All things considered, it would be wrong to have this project approved in a residential area, it should be moved well away from such areas, is this a case of profits before people and their homes??? Look after locals not just big business. It is wrong.

I have a big concern with this project due to my objections to wind and solar farms and their affects on migratory birds and the threat turbines have for these birds. Wind turbines also generate infrasound that effects the behavior of other native animals.
Apart from the environmental effect to wild life there is also the treat of bush fires caused by malfunctioning turbines and batteries which affects neighboring properties and the local volunteers in the CFA.
Neither solar or wind turbines produce enough energy to warrant the building of this battery energy storage system.

I object to wind farm and solar farms for many reasons, including, it ruins the natural landscape, having large white metallic objects in the sky ruins the natural beauty and solar panels covering the ground and stopping natural growth due to shading. Wind farms, in particular, are inefficient considering the small amount of wind the area gets and therefore would be a waste of money. This means that battery energy storage systems are unnecessary without even going into the issues they cause themselves.

I am opposed to the Kingswood Battery Project for several different reasons.
A growing town like Tamworth needs all the suitable available space for residential development going in to the future.
The site at Kingswood lies in the area earmarked for future rural residential construction, with sites being at a premium. To use the area for the Kingswood Battery Project would be detrimental to existing and future homes and farms, in both monetary value and the desirable amenity it now enjoys.
Secondly, there is the safety aspect, or lack thereof, of the project once completed. To have multiple batteries housed so closeley together and in the near vicinity of existing and future homes seems like an accident of severe proportions just waiting to happen.
In the event of a malfunction or lightening strike or the such, what would the ramifications be? Could a battery explode?, could other batteries be impacted and further explosions or fires occur?, what would be the impact of a grass/bush fire be to the site?
There are many other questions to be asked, and answered, regarding the safety to community, and also the environment.
Thirdly, how do you think existing neighboring landholders would feel about seeing their once attractive rural setting degraded into something resembling a stark industrial site?
Fourthly, with experience through my own friends having dealt with these problems, there is the harsh and often brutal way in which negotiations for land requisitions are conducted. If these negotiations were up front and on the level, there would be no need for the non disclosure agreements that seem to accompany all such deals.
Lastly, and this falls to the Tamworth Regional Council, is the re-zoning of any land that would most likely have to occur for the project to go ahead. Any rezoning would ultimately affect the land values of both the existing and future rural residential developments.
In closing I would like to stress that if the project gets the go ahead, and requisitioning of land commences, the impact to the community could be catastrophic. A once settled and friendly community could end up splintered, with previously amicable neighbors now being at odds with each other, and this will ultimately lead to a fractured community as a whole.

I oppose this development as I have not received any information to suggest that the noise and particularly vibration emitted will not exceed safe and tolerable limits. Especially so given the combined impact of other nearby proposed renewable energy developments. The impact of this extends beyond health. It also will inevitably reduce property values and deter potential buyers. It is additionally an eyesore and danger given the fire hazards and difficulty extinguishing same, when they are located in such close proximity to residential areas. Buffer zones that meet only minimal standards are unacceptable. The roads also cannot accommodate such a development in their current state, with dust and flooding leading to inaccessibility at times.

This project is in close proximity to approximately 640+homes and is within kilometers of the city center. This is not the correct area for this project to be constructed.
This project presents massive environmental effects. Fires, these batteries present a fire danger and cannot be put out they will have to burn out, creating massive toxic fumes to surrounding homes.
This project is proposed on a dirt road with access creating massive impact for local residents. The road is continually in poor condition having to be regraded by council regularly, the increase in traffic from this project will great even further road issues.
The water that leeches out of these batteries will go straight into the water table and into Goonoo Goonoo Creek which will flow into the Peel River and Tamworth's water supply. This will have very detrimental impact on our water table and supply in Goonoo Goonoo Creek and what affect will this have on stock that drink this water, crops that are grown using this water would be contaminated and also Farmers that handle the water would have serious health affects.
These battery farms are noisy, this will be terrible for the surrounding residents having to constantly listen to the noise from the farm.
The life expectancy of this farms is only short term. What will happen to the infrastructure once the useful life has expired. What will happen to the farming land where is was constructed, will the soil be contaminated and unable to be returned to useful farming land.
This project should not be allowed to proceed. It is clearly in the wrong area, local residents do not want it and the government needs to act in the best interest of the local neighborhood.

This project and other similar proposed projects are located far to close to Tamworth Residential areas, all the existing land where the Kingswood Project is proposed is predominately prime rural farming land and hobby farms and within a few hundred meters of the ever expanding Calala residential estates. I believe this whole area has been earmarked for future residential development due to its vicinity to the center of Tamworth, literally less than 15 minutes drive to the town center, and all major sporting and entertainment facilities and less than 5 minutes to our ALEC National Horse and Multipurpose Function Center (home to Tamworth Show and multiple other events)
Beggers Belief that this type of industry would be located within such close proximity to all the above.
It has also come to my attention that this project is owned and operated by Hong Kong/China based companies who core business is Property Development, Shipping and Gas Exploration. There appears to be a conflict of interest that these companies are purely invested due to the unprecedented Returns on Investment offered by our government at the expense of taxpayers and the impact on local communities. I also struggle to understand how a foreign entity will have control over critical Australia Energy Infrastructure. This should be ring alarm bells loud and clear, especially due to recent Spying accusations brought before the Attorney General Mark Dreyfus
Any rezoning of this land by the DPI should not be allowed without consultation with appropriate intelligence and government departments on any potential issues with Energy security from Foreign owned and controlled infrastructure.
On another note, with the unprecedented rollout of these so called renewable and battery systems, why the goodness is are these projects approved with such haste and on individual basis without full and transparent community consultation. the ever expanding scale of these projects is not properly planned and structured with what appears rezoning of land on the run.
Why are not ALL these projects if deemed necessary by the government all located far out west or in areas of Australia where the land is not arable or productive, surely it makes more sense to build and consolidate all these projects into areas that do not impact farming and residential communities.
All this is based on the Climate Change fraud with our governments compromised by lobby groups instead of representing Australians which we as tax payers have to fund and our children will be paying for for years to come.
No this these projects should not go ahead.

We live in close proximity to proposed site. We own a small business that employs 5 staff, supporting the equine industry in Tamworth and surrounding areas.
I believe that this project has got the potential to destroy the Equine Industry in Tamworth. Even though it might create some jobs in the short term, it will destroy more jobs in the long term.
Tamworth has been a growing and booming country town, and becoming a hub of BESS systems will not only negatively affect the growth of Tamworth, but also risk it’s residents’ health and wellbeing.

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed development of a battery energy storage system on Burgmans Lane, Tamworth. While I am a staunch supporter of sustainable energy solutions, this project is not appropriately cited, given its proximity to residential areas and the negative impacts it will have on the local community. The placement of such an industrial facility in a rural-residential zoned area is inappropriate and ill-conceived, considering the detrimental effects on neighbouring properties, residents, and the environment.
Impact on Property Values and Lack of Compensation
The proposed battery plant poses a significant threat to the value of properties in the vicinity. I know several homeowners on Burgmans Lane who have been informed that their property values could decrease by over $500,000 if this project goes ahead. This potential devaluation is not just a number, but a substantial financial burden on these residents who have invested their life savings into their homes. Despite this, there appears to be no provision for financial compensation from the government or industry for those most vulnerable and affected by this development. It is only fair that property evaluations be conducted before and after the installation of the plant, with homeowners compensated for any shortfall. The lack of care and compensation for those impacted highlights a grave oversight in the planning of this project.
Environmental and Visual Pollution
The proposed development will dramatically alter the environmental landscape of the area. The mass installation of industrial plants in what is currently a rural residential area will create an eyesore, detracting from the natural beauty that residents and visitors value. The visual pollution caused by the battery storage system, with its stark industrial appearance, is incompatible with the existing aesthetic of the area.
This change will not only affect the residents' quality of life but also potentially diminish the area's attractiveness for future buyers, further exacerbating the issue of property devaluation. Increased Traffic and Road Damage The construction and operation of the battery storage system will inevitably lead to increased traffic on Burgmanns Lane and surrounding dirt roads. These roads are already in poor condition, and the additional burden of heavy vehicles will exacerbate their deterioration, leading to more potholes and road damage. This poses a significant safety risk to all road users, including local residents, school buses, and emergency services. The current infrastructure is not equipped to handle the increased traffic, and the subsequent road maintenance costs will likely fall on the local government and taxpayers.
Dust, Noise, and Visual Pollution'
The proposed development will generate significant dust, noise, and visual pollution during the construction, delivery, and implementation phases. This will disrupt the peaceful, rural environment that residents currently enjoy. The noise from construction activities and ongoing operations, including the hum of transformers and cooling systems, will disturb the area's tranquility. While soundproofed windows may be suggested as a mitigation measure, they are insufficient for a community that values fresh country air and the ability to enjoy outdoor spaces without constant noise. Insufficient Mitigation Measures The proposed mitigation measures, such as soundproofed windows, do not adequately address the concerns of the affected residents. Country living is synonymous with open windows and fresh air, not being confined indoors to escape noise pollution. A more effective solution would include the construction of noise walls around the entire site, with massive trees planted in front to blend the facility into the natural landscape it will otherwise mar. However, even this measure does not fully mitigate the impacts on the community.
The best solution would be to relocate the plant to a less intrusive location, further away from residential areas, where it would not affect neighbours within at least a one-kilometre radius.
Negative Impact on Agricultural Land
The development will also ruin valuable agricultural farming land. This area is not just a residential zone but also a hub for agricultural activities. The construction of the battery plant will take away land that could otherwise be used for farming, impacting local food production and the livelihoods of those who depend on agriculture. The rural residential zoning of the area is intended to support both residential and agricultural uses, and the introduction of an industrial facility contradicts this purpose.
Risk of Fires
One of the most critical concerns associated with the proposed battery storage farm is the risk of fires. Battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion technology, are known to have a risk of thermal runaway, which can lead to fires that are extremely difficult to control. Such fires can burn intensely, release toxic fumes, and potentially result in explosions. Given the rural nature of the area and the potential delay in emergency response times, a fire at this facility could have catastrophic consequences. Local firefighting resources may not be adequately equipped to handle such incidents, further exacerbating the risk to residents and the environment. The difficulty in managing these types of fires cannot be overstated and adds a significant hazard to the proposed development.
Lack of Consideration for Community Welfare One of the most pressing unanswered questions is what steps are being taken to support those most affected by the development. The community deserves a detailed plan outlining how the negative impacts will be mitigated and how residents will be compensated for their losses. This includes not only financial compensation but also practical measures to ensure their quality of life is not unduly compromised. In conclusion, while the development of a battery energy storage system is a step towards sustainable energy, the chosen location on Burgmans Lane, Tamworth, is highly inappropriate. The negative impacts on property values, the environmental landscape, road conditions, noise levels, and agricultural land far outweigh any potential benefits. I urge the planning committee to reconsider the placement of this project and to explore alternative locations that would not impose such significant burdens on the local community.
Relocating the plant to a more suitable site, further away from residential areas, would demonstrate a commitment to both sustainable energy and the community's well-being. Thank you for considering my objection.

Please see pdf submission.

Conclusion / comment:
Based on the out of date information and factual errors around the traffic-related impacts along with the omission of including the impact of lithium batteries in the Bushfire Assessment, and the lack of information on the obvious cumulative effects of the three proposals within a 1km radius, the Environmental Impact Statement for the Kingswood BESS is flawed.

The local community assumes that this document must be corrected before the project is allowed any further consideration. There is no doubt that this project will impact on surrounding homes and lower the livability and safety of this rural area.

All other issues may well be eclipsed by the bushfire risk, and as per the FRNSW direction the Fire Safety Study must be conducted before this project progresses, not as an afterthought.

As a local resident with a family that works and goes to school in this area I am firmly against this project. The developers are stealing safety, lifestyle and financial security from the local community to improve the bottom line of their multinational businesses.

See pdf submission.

Conclusion / comment:

This project is not for the local area or Australians. It will enrich overseas investors who have no regard for anything but their pockets.

There are no benefits that outweigh the risks and cost for Australians or the people of the local area, but they are subject to all of the risk.

For the locals property values, lifestyles and health have been stolen from them by corporate raiders and a Government that is enabling and funding this theft.