Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

The proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, where as the Mangoplah BESS EIS Reports, states there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment” (p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions. With the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (cited p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024). Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria).

As noted by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “burning embers (burning twigs, leaves and debris) can travel up to 40 km ahead of a fire front, starting fires and damaging equipment well before any flames reach the Proposed area. Ember attack poses an additional fire risk to the Proposal, as embers could fall into small openings in equipment housing and ignite internal elements” (p.253, cited in Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore according to Vic Emergency these fire fronts start “spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).

More concerning to the community and in particular the surrounding landholders in the event that a bushfire should over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is not only the fire effecting their property, but also the toxic fumes, that will not only affect human health, but also their livestock, crops, soil and water supply. Moreover, is the fact that these landholders will only be covered for the fire damage to their properties and their livelihoods, not the result of the toxic fumes that will damage and destroy their livelihoods for many years to come, as the companies, such as Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd. are only liable for damage as the result of a fault or incident that has occurred within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, not as a result of a natural occurrence such as a bushfire, which will be devastating to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as they will loose income, the ability to pay bills, and the value of their land will decrease dramatically, not to mention their general and mental health, which will change significantly.

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (cited p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, especially during periods of hot dry, windy conditions, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire in the surrounding area, but the threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting, lifestyle, property values and insurance. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community, their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead. To me it is not a place to build such a project.

Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the construction of the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

I am writing to formally express my objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the construction of the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

There will be an unacceptable increase volume in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, according to Amber Traffic & Transportation Report state that “the construction traffic volumes for the Project”… “It is anticipated that during peak construction of the Project would generate up to…64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p.23, Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025), to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is of major concern. The local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair. The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, they state that “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p. 1-2). Additionally, the NSW Government state the “Development involving the use of heavy vehicles should take note of the requirements stipulated in” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), The Heavy Vehicle National Law, “in relation to transport related matters such as managing the impact of heavy vehicles on road infrastructure…” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024).

Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p. 3-8, NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially during busy farming periods, such as harvesting, when surrounding farmers are travelling along the Holbrook Road in tractors, trucks and headers, with very little room to pull over safely to allow oncoming traffic past due to how narrow and how busy the Holbrook Road can be. The community of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders are concerned about the roads in the area of influence, with the current movement, place function and the current access, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, will impact greatly upon the farmers during these busy farming periods as a result of the development. I feel this increase in heavy haulage vehicles will add to the increased risks and safety concerns not only for the residents of Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but also the usual traffic that travel through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.

It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger because of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

The site of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia (SLR) for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment”(p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), along with an additional 30 metres required from the edge of vegetation. These inconsistencies with the required Asset Protection Zones are of major concern and need to be addressed and made uniform and become part of the Policies and/or Standards for all Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites across Australia, especially those in New South Wales and in High Fire Prone Areas.

Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

As stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the Mangoplah BESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.

Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023.

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire, but also the treat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock, but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event that a bushfire would over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The extreme risk of a bushfire occurring in the vicinity of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The extreme risk of a bushfire occurring in the vicinity of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

According to Australia Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024, “Bushfire risk is defined as the chance of a bushfire occurring that will have harmful consequences to human communities and the environment” (p.19). They go onto say that “Risk has two elements: likelihood, the chances of a bushfire occurring and consequence, the impact of a bushfire when it occurs” (p.19). Most of the bushfires that occur within the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding farmlands, is the result of lightning strikes, moreover, are the prevailing adverse fire weather conditions, such as strong winds. Further exacerbating the risk of migration of a bushfire according to Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024, is “a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed” (p.19), as a result a bushfire within the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site will be exposed and “has the potential to rapidly travel across the landscape…over-running the BESS site” (Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024).

Moreover, according to the NSW Government, under Part 4 Bush fire Prevention, Division 1, Section 63, Duty to prevent bush fires, “it is the duty of the owner, or occupier of land to take the notified steps (if any) and any other practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of bush fires on, and to minimise the danger of the spread of bush fires on or from, that land” (2025).
This is of major concern to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025 which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas, the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres.

Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

Moreover, as stated by Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “The BESS proposal is classified as ‘industrial’ development and…therefore, the default position for providing protection for ‘industrial’ development located in a bushfire prone area is to provide a defendable space (Asset Protection Zone) wide enough to prevent flame contact on the structure, or in the case of the BESS, the cabinets housing the battery packs and the electrical equipment in the Substation” (p.24, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

Furthermore, as stated by Cool Burn Pty. Ltd., “BESS developments are not specifically considered” in the NSW RFS Planning for Bush Fire Protection,(PBFP) 2019, “however, the energy storage would be considered as a ‘hazardous industry’”(p.15, Yanco Battery Energy Storage System, EIS, 2024). With the NSW RFS (PBFP), 2019 stating that, “some developments are considered by their very nature to be hazardous, as much for their ability to start bushfires as their susceptibility to bushfire impacts. New developments of this nature should be avoided on Bushfire Prone Land (BFPL)” (p.79).

In addition, as stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the DBESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).


Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 Degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Very high risk of hazardous toxic plumes from a fire that may occur within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project and resulting in health and environmental damage.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

As stated by Lote Consulting, Fire Safety Security, 2022, in their report cited in Neoen, Territory Battery stated, “There have been several recent fires at BESS projects around Australia with associated dispersion of potentially toxic gases” (p.7) and the potential impact on sensitive receptors. Lote Consulting, Fire Safety Security, 2022, mentioned within the report that these toxic gases included, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Fluorine Gases, which are released during a BESS fire, trapping heat in the atmosphere and can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, poor air quality, posing risks to human health and local ecosystems, destroying the native flora and fauna not only in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site but also to the nearby Livingston State Forest, moreover, these toxic gases have the ability to add to the overall warming of the planet and exacerbating climate change.

Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, state that in the event of “toxic chemicals/fumes being released”, the risk is rated as high (p. 251, Neoen, Territory Battery, 2024). Moreover, according to the NSW Department of Planning, these hazardous “toxic substances can affect people in many different ways and the seriousness of the exposure will be highly dependent on the sensitivity of the individual and on the duration of the exposure” (p.16, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011). As stated by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, Neoen, Territory Battery EIS report, that “most people will begin to experience health effect if exposed to the chemicals for one hour” (p.277). Additionally, Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, in the Neoen, Territory Battery EIS Report have recommended that the residents “from the source to a distance of 20 km shall be notified to shelter inside in the event of a BESS fire” (p. 1054). Even more concerning by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, is the increased Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) produced, the “larger impact distances should be considered…” (p.1053). More disturbing as stated by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited in the Neoen, Territory Battery EIS, “under less stable weather conditions, people within 247 metres of the fire could be exposed to fatal concentrations of Hydrogen Floride (HF) gas if exposed for one hour” (p.258).

Moreover, the NSW Department of Planning state that a hazard “is anything or situation with a potential for causing damage to people, property or the biophysical environment” (p.6, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011). Furthermore, they describe risk, as “the likelihood of a defined adverse outcome…risk of fatality, injury or environmental damage” (p.6, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011).

It is of major concern that the residents of the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders will be at a very high risk of exposure to hazardous toxic plumes in the event of a fire that may occur at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah, especially the farmers in the surrounding area with the toxic fumes from a lithium-ion battery fire affecting their soil, crops, and pasture grasses, resulting in loss of income for farmers, but the hazardous toxic plumes can also have a devastating impact on the ecosystem surrounding the area of Mangoplah.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, where I lived as a child and still have my parents and brother in close vicinity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk of having the proposed Mangoplah BESS project built within close proximity to the village of Mangoplah but also very close to productive farming and grazing land. Additionally, the change of land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the environment, the cost to the Mangoplah community and surrounding farming families, many of whom have been here for generations, working hard to keep the area going, do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System - SSD-77527735.

Because of the Extreme risk to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, affecting their health from exposure to toxic fumes from lithium-ion batteries fire at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
It is well noted that lithium-ion battery fire produces toxic and dangerous chemicals, such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can result in numerous health problems from respiratory problems, causing damage to the lungs, including pulmonary oedema, also damage to the nervous system, which can be debilitating well into the future (Vamosi, n.d.).
It was recommended in the Territory Battery Energy Storage System (TBESS), located near Belconnen, in the ACT, that all residents within a “20km distance shall be notified to shelter in the event of a BESS fire” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), it goes onto state that if exposed to “concentrations of hazardous airborne chemicals for one hour, most people will begin to experience health effects if exposed to these chemicals” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore, Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “mild health effects could be experienced by people within…10.5 km of the fire” (p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), with Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants going on to state that “the severe case would occur when a battery fire is exposed to water, e.g. from rain or during fire-fighting…HF gas would be dispersed up to 33% further…”(p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Additionally, these hazardous airborne chemicals can travel further in adverse windy weather conditions, as a result the evacuation, shelter notification area will need to be increased (Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, 2024).

Notifying residents within the village of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders would be extremely difficult, as the question being firstly how the Rural Fire Service members are notified of these toxic chemicals leaching into the atmosphere, then the question is how does everyone get notified within the recommended time. In addition, around the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, there is poor mobile reception, as well as ‘black spots’, which will add to the inability for residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders to be notified in the appropriate time frame.

It is of major concern in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire occurring within the BESS, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding area, resulting in major health problems including damage to the lungs and nervous systems. These fires also have the potential threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, as my family have been in the district for decades, with my brother, his wife and son farming in close proximity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please respect the risk to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding district. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System - SSD-77527735.

Because of the Extreme risk to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, affecting their health from exposure to toxic fumes from lithium-ion batteries fire at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
It is well noted that lithium-ion battery fire produces toxic and dangerous chemicals, such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can result in numerous health problems from respiratory problems, causing damage to the lungs, including pulmonary oedema, also damage to the nervous system, which can be debilitating well into the future (Vamosi, n.d.).
It was recommended in the Territory Battery Energy Storage System (TBESS), located near Belconnen, in the ACT, that all residents within a “20km distance shall be notified to shelter in the event of a BESS fire” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), it goes onto state that if exposed to “concentrations of hazardous airborne chemicals for one hour, most people will begin to experience health effects if exposed to these chemicals” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore, Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “mild health effects could be experienced by people within…10.5 km of the fire” (p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), with Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants going on to state that “the severe case would occur when a battery fire is exposed to water, e.g. from rain or during fire-fighting…HF gas would be dispersed up to 33% further…”(p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Additionally, these hazardous airborne chemicals can travel further in adverse windy weather conditions, as a result the evacuation, shelter notification area will need to be increased (Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, 2024).

Notifying residents within the village of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders would be extremely difficult, as the question being firstly how the Rural Fire Service members are notified of these toxic chemicals leaching into the atmosphere, then the question is how does everyone get notified within the recommended time. In addition, around the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, there is poor mobile reception, as well as ‘black spots’, which will add to the inability for residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders to be notified in the appropriate time frame.

It is of major concern in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire occurring within the BESS, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding area, resulting in major health problems including damage to the lungs and nervous systems. These fires also have the potential threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, as I have had a long association with the area, as my family have been farming in the area for decades, with my brother, his wife and son, continuing to farm with close vicinity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please respect the risk to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding district. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of fire on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the new access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions. With the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024). In addition, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) or local council issues a No Burn Notice, which means that you cannot burn any rubbish without permission from the NSW Rural Fire Service during the bushfire danger season, which usually applies from1 October to 31 March, depending upon seasonal conditions. During this period, problematic fire weather is more common, being the combination of very hot days (i.e. 40 degrees Celsius and above) with low humidity (i.e. less than 10%) and strong westerly and north-westerly winds.

Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).
Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 11000C and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Deniliquin BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025).

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, especially during periods of hot dry, windy conditions, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire in the surrounding area, but the threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting, lifestyle, property values and insurance. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community, their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead. To me it is not a place to build such a project.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased risk of flooding along Paper Forest Road due to changes in the water flow with construction of the new access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

Water is a vital commodity in and around the area of Mangoplah, not only for the local village community but more importantly for the farmers in the area. It is of major concern that during construction of the new access roadway, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site and the Substation site that there will be changes to the natural flow of the current waterways into the surrounding creeks within the roadway and project areas, with the Paper Forest Creek, which is classified as a 5th order stream flows directly through the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site. These natural waterflows which include a variety of Strahler Steam Order waterflows from 1st order through to >5th order streams, as per the Mangoplah BESS Scope Report, play a vital role in water runoff into the dams on neighbouring farming properties, but also into the main creek lines of Paper Forest Creek and Burkes Creek, which flow into the Murrumbidgee River. More concerning is the impact any changes in the natural waterflow will have on Paper Forest Road, as the section of Paper Forest Road near the intersection of Paper Forest Road and Zadow Lane, often becomes flooded during periods of heavy rain, with the road needing to be closed to all traffic.

It was noted in the Traffic Impact Assessment by Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction that the current “track consists of both formed and unformed sections” and “the remaining 1.5km remains an unformed boundary track lacking structured drainage and surface reinforcement” (p. 1, Appendix B, 2025). The report states that “four culverts are present along the formed sections…installed by the landholder to manage water flow during wet periods” (p.1, Appendix B, 2025). The report goes onto further state that two of the four culverts “appear to have flow directions opposite to natural drainage patterns” (p.1, Appendix B, 2025), this would account for the amount of water flowing from the waterways and in particular Paper Forest Creek flooding onto the Holbrook Road and Paper Forest Road during heavy rain events

Furthermore, the new access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site will involve the installation of culverts along the roadway, changing the natural water course by constricting flow, altering velocity, and creating potential for erosion and sediment buildup upstream and downstream, particularly along Paper Forest Creek. Moreover, these culverts have the potential to cause debris blockage or erosion, washing away road material, which can worsen flooding, not only in the surrounding paddocks but also onto Paper Forest Road, which already occurs during periods of heavy rain. In addition, “crossings have the potential to disrupt the hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic functions of a watercourse affecting flows, bed and bank stability and the ecological values and functions of the riparian corridor”(p.1, NSW Government, Department of Planning and Environment, n.d.). The Department of Planning and Environment go onto state that “The design and construction of works or activities within a watercourse or adjoining waterfront land should protect and enhance water flow, water quality, stream ecology and existing riparian vegetation. Impacts on the hydrologic, hydraulic and geomorphic functions of a watercourse should also be minimised” (p.1, n.d.).

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk of having the BESS built within close proximity to the village of Mangoplah but also very close to productive farming and grazing land. Additionally, the change of land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the environment, the cost to the Mangoplah community and surrounding farming families, many of whom have been here for generations, working hard to keep the area going, do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased traffic from workers associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going through Mangoplah.

I am writing to formally express my objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
There will be an unacceptable increase volume in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, with the Mangoplah BESS Environmental Impact Statement stating that “the construction traffic volumes for the Project have been provided by the Applicant. It is anticipated that during peak construction the Project would generate up to 120 light vehicle trips and 64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p. 23, Amber Traffic & Transport Direction, 2025).

Moreover, there has been a distinct lack of consultation with the Mangoplah community regarding the amount of vehicle movement going through the village of Mangoplah, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is of major concern. The local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair. The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, state that “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p. 1-2). With the additional heavy volume of traffic from workers required during construction of the new access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, I fell will add to the increased risks and safety concerns for not only the residents within Mangoplah but also for the normal traffic that travels along Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.

Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p. 3-8), NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially during busy farming periods, such as harvesting, when surrounding farmers are travelling along the Holbrook Road in tractors, trucks and headers, with very little room to pull over safely to allow oncoming traffic past due to how narrow and how busy the Holbrook Road can be. The community of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders are concerned about the roads in the area of influence, with the current movement, place function and the current access, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, will impact greatly upon the farmers during these busy farming periods as a result of the development.

It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger as a result of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going through Mangoplah.
I am writing to formally express my objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

There will be an unacceptable increase in the volume of heavy haulage vehicles travelling along the Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, with a similar sized project to the Mangoplah BESS stating in their EIS report it is anticipated that during peak construction of the project it would generate up to 64 heavy vehicles per day, including B-Double’s, Semitrailers, Rigid Trucks and Truck and Dog (p.24, Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025), this number of heavy haulage vehicles will double with construction of the Substation occurring at the same time as the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, is of major concern as the local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair and with the additional heavy haulage vehicles travelling through Mangoplah will only exacerbate the roads even more. The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, they state that “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p. 1-2). Additionally, the NSW Government state that “Developments involving the use of heavy vehicles should take note of the requirements stipulated in” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), The Heavy Vehicle National Law, “in relation to transport related matters such as managing the impact of heavy vehicles on road infrastructure…” (p. 2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024).

Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p. 3-8), NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially during busy farming periods, such as harvesting, when surrounding farmers are travelling along the Holbrook Road in tractors, trucks and headers, with very little room to pull over safely to allow oncoming traffic past due to how narrow and how busy the Holbrook Road can be. The community of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders are concerned about the roads in the area of influence, with the current movement, place function and the current access, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, will impact greatly upon the farmers during these busy farming periods as a result of the development. I feel this increase in heavy haulage vehicles will add to the increased risks and safety concerns not only for the residents of Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but also the usual traffic that travels along the Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, as according to Google maps the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min.

It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger because of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the new access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions. With the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024). Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

As noted by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “burning embers (burning twigs, leaves and debris) can travel up to 40 km ahead of a fire front, starting fires and damaging equipment well before any flames reach the Proposed area. Ember attack poses an additional fire risk to the Proposal, as embers could fall into small openings in equipment housing and ignite internal elements” (p.253, cited in Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore according to Vic Emergency these fire fronts start “spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.
As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for the Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025).

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, especially during periods of hot dry, windy conditions, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire in the surrounding area, but the threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting, lifestyle, property values and insurance. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community, their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead. To me it is not a place to build such a project.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 2 and 3 vegetation, with the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions. With the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024). Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

As noted by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “burning embers (burning twigs, leaves and debris) can travel up to 40 km ahead of a fire front, starting fires and damaging equipment well before any flames reach the Proposed area. Ember attack poses an additional fire risk to the Proposal, as embers could fall into small openings in equipment housing and ignite internal elements” (p.253, cited in Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore according to Vic Emergency these fire fronts start “spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 11000C and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Deniliquin BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.16, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2024).

More concerning to the community and in particular the surrounding landholders in the event that a bushfire should over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is not only the fire effecting their property, but also the toxic fumes, that will not only affect human health, but also their livestock, crops, soil and water supply. Moreover, is the fact that these landholders will only be covered for the fire damage to their properties and their livelihoods, not the result of the toxic fumes that will damage and destroy their livelihoods for many years to come, as the companies, such as Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd. are only liable for damage as the result of a fault or incident that has occurred within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, not as a result of a natural occurrence such as a bushfire, which will be devastating to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as they will loose income, the ability to pay bills, and the value of their land will decrease dramatically, not to mention their general and mental health, which will change significantly.

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, especially during periods of hot dry, windy conditions, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire in the surrounding area, but the threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting, lifestyle, property values and insurance. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community, their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead. To me it is not a place to build such a project.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of fire on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres. As stated by Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “The BESS proposal is classified as ‘industrial’ development and…therefore, the default position for providing protection for ‘industrial’ development located in a bushfire prone area is to provide a defendable space (Asset Protection Zone) wide enough to prevent flame contact on the structure, or in the case of the BESS, the cabinets housing the battery packs and the electrical equipment in the Substation” (p.24, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

In addition, as stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the Mangoplah BESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. During this period, problematic fire weather is more common, being the combination of very hot days (i.e. 40 degrees Celsius and above) with low humidity (i.e. less than 10%) and strong westerly and north-westerly winds. Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.

Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 Degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire, but also the treat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock, but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event that a bushfire would over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased volume of traffic during Henty Machinery Field Days adding congestion to vehicles associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

The amount of additional traffic travelling through the village of Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road during the construction of both the proposed Mangoplah BESS project and the Substation will be substantial, from light vehicles to heavy B-Double vehicles carrying heavy construction materials. The Holbrook Road is classified as a Regional Road, with narrow bridges on the northern side of the village of Mangoplah. This additional volume of traffic associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, will be an unacceptable increase in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed BESS, and Substation sites, which is of major concern, especially during the Henty Machinery Field Day period, with an additional 10,000 cars per day travelling along the Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah during the three days. There have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in death. In addition, the Holbrook Road is already in poor condition requiring constant repair.

The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, state the “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p.1-2). Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p.3-8, NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially during this very busy period of additional traffic associated with the Henty Machinery Field Day period.

Amber Traffic & Transport Direction, in their Environmental Impact Assessment Report state that “It is anticipated that during peak construction the Project could generate up to 120 light and 64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p.23, 2025), moreover, Amber Traffic & Transport Direction go on to state that “Overall, the Project is expected to generate up to 64 vehicle trips per hour in the morning and evening peak hours during the peak construction period” (p.24, 2025), travelling through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site. I fell this increased volume of traffic will add to the increased risks and safety concerns for not only the residents within Mangoplah but also for the usual traffic that travels along Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.

It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger as a result of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres. As stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.31, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the Mangoplah BESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).

Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023. Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).

The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire, but also the treat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock, but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event that a bushfire would over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of The extreme lack of knowledge by the local Rural Fire Service members in fighting lithium-ion battery fires.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

Fire Risk and Safety to the local Rural Fire Service members and their lack of knowledge in how to fight a lithium-ion battery fire, is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, as the NSWFR state “that large-scale LiBESS pose a unique challenge to firefighters when responding to and managing an incident”, the NSWFR goes on to say that “large-scale LiBESS as a hazardous electrical, chemical and fire risk with the risk of community consequence that necessitates special consideration”. Moreover, Superintendent James O’Carroll, stated “that BESS facilities present special problems of fighting fire…” (NSW Fire & Rescue, 2025).

The local Rural Fire Service members are also concerned with a statement in the Deniliquin EIS Report that, “Following commissioning of the BESS, the preparedness of local RFS and Fire and Rescue brigades would be enhanced through site orientation and information events and the facilitation of training in the management of LFP battery fires” (p. 132, Deniliquin EIS, 2025). The local Rural Fire Service members are volunteers who are not directly paid for their time, and are not volunteers to sacrifice their lives to protect the proposed Mangoplah BESS project in the event of a fire occurring near or within the area of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

This is of major concern not only for the local Rural Fire Service members, because they only having the knowledge and experience to fight bushfires, not fires of this nature. In addition, the community concerns regarding bushfires and potential limitations to firefighting operations are often dismissed due to the RFS not raising any objections to projects during the planning process. Not only are there issues with access due to infrastructure but another whole range due to lithium-ion batteries and potential toxicity (Bowman, 2025).

But also, concerning to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding farmland, is the potential threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event of such a fire occurring at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased risk of accidents occurring along Holbrook Road due to the increase in traffic volume of workers and heavy haulage vehicles especially during foggy periods, heavy rain or dust storms.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of the Increased risk of accidents occurring along Holbrook Road due to the increase in traffic volume of workers and heavy haulage vehicles especially during foggy periods, heavy rain or dust storms.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

The amount of additional traffic travelling through the village of Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road during the construction of both the proposed Mangoplah BESS project and the Substation will be substantial, from light vehicles to heavy B-Double vehicles carrying heavy construction materials, Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction stated in their Mangoplah Environmetal Report stating it is “anticipated that during peak construction of the Project would generate up to 120 light vehicle trips and 64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p.23, 2025), with Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction going onto further state “Overall, the Project is expected to generate up to 64 vehicle trips per hour in the morning and evening peak hours during the peak construction period” (p.24, 2025),required to travel along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

The Holbrook Road is classified as a Regional Road, with narrow bridges on the northern side of the village and two others to the south, close to Holbrook. This additional volume of traffic will be an unacceptable increase in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, and Substation sites, which is of major concern. There have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in death. In addition, the Holbrook Road is already in poor condition requiring constant repair. The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, state the “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p.1-2). Additionally, the NSW Government state that “Developments involved in use of heavy vehicles should take note of the requirements stipulated in” (p.2-4), Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), The Heavy Vehicle National Law, “in relation to transport related matters such as managing the impact of heavy vehicles on road infrastructure…” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024).

Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p.3-8, NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially in adverse weather conditions such as fog, heavy rain or dust storms.

I fell this increased volume of traffic will add to the increased risks and safety concerns for not only the residents within Mangoplah but also for the usual traffic that travels along Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.

It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger because of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Increased risk of accidents near the entrance to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site on the Holbrook Road, especially during busy periods along the road.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of the Increased risk of accidents near the entrance to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site on the Holbrook Road, especially during busy periods along the road.

The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.

The entrance to the proposed BESS site is along a straight stretch of two lane road approximately 3km south of the village of Mangoplah, this section of the Holbrook Road is notorious for vehicles overtaking, can be extremely dangerous during normal road conditions and normal volume of traffic, but with the amount of additional traffic, which according to Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction stated in their Mangoplah BESS Environmetal Report stating it is “anticipated that during peak construction of the Project would generate up to 120 light vehicle trips and 64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p.23, 2025), with Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction going onto further state “Overall, the Project is expected to generate up to 64 vehicle trips per hour in the morning and evening peak hours during the peak construction period” (p.24, 2025), associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project travelling along this section of Holbrook Road and trying to turn into the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site. Moreover, this section of the Holbrook Road has a speed limit of 100km/hr applies along the road, as a result this section of the Holbrook Road will become even more dangerous, with some vehicles travelling up to 110km/hr (p.101, Environmental Impact Statement, Mangoplah BESS, 2025). There have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in death.

Moreover, there has been a distinct lack of consultation by Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Limited, with the Mangoplah community regarding the amount of traffic that will be entering and exiting the entrance to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, the main question being will the proposed widening of this section of the Holbrook Road result in further accidents and congestion. This additional traffic will be an unacceptable increase in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, and Substation sites, which is of major concern. In addition, the Holbrook Road is already in poor condition requiring constant repair.

The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, state the “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p.1-2). Additionally, the NSW Government sate that “Developments involving the use of heavy vehicles should take note of the requirements stipulated in” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), The Heavy Vehicle National Law, “in relation to transport related matters such as managing the impact of heavy vehicles on road infrastructure…” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024).

Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p.3-8), NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially near the entrance to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, as this section of the Holbrook Road is the first area a straight road normally allowing traffic to overtake other vehicles if safe to do so. Moreover, there is currently no turning treatments at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site access for these heavy vehicles and a speed limit of 100km/hr applies along the Holbrook Road, the NSW Government state that “Early consideration of site access facilities and layout design is critical to driving positive outcomes for a development’s occupants and affected road users” (p. 7-2, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), further stating that “the proposed measures should focus on maximising sustainable and safe accessibility to the development” (p.3-12).

I fell this increased volume of traffic will add to the increased risks and safety concerns for not only the residents within Mangoplah but also for the usual traffic that travels along Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.

It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger as a result of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.

Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of The extreme risk of fire if construction to the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS is not ceased during periods of Total Fire Ban.

I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The extreme risk of fire if construction to the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS is not ceased during periods of Total Fire Ban.

During a Total Fire Ban, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire, including general purpose hot works (such as welding, grinding or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame) are not to be done in the open. So, all construction should be ceased to comply with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).

The site of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia (SLR) for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment”(p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), along with an additional 30 metres required from the edge of vegetation. These inconsistencies with the required Asset Protection Zones are of major concern and need to be addressed and made uniform and become part of the Policies and/or Standards for all Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites across Australia, especially those in New South Wales and in High Fire Prone Areas.

Furthermore, there should be a 100-meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

As stated by Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “The BESS proposal is classified as ‘industrial’ development and…therefore, the default position for providing protection for ‘industrial’ development located in a bushfire prone area is to provide a defendable space (Asset Protection Zone) wide enough to prevent flame contact on the structure, or in the case of the BESS, the cabinets housing the battery packs and the electrical equipment in the Substation” (p.24, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

In addition, as stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.31, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the Mangoplah BESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.31, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).

With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.

Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 Degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).

Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).

The NSW Rural Fire Service also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.

Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.

Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire, but also the treat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock, but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event that a bushfire would over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.

It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.