Tamworth Battery Energy Storage System

As the daughter in law of a sensitive receiver to the Tamworth BESS, I am sending a rejection submission of the Tamworth BESS. The impact that this project is having on our family is huge, the mental health strain on my in laws, the environmental factors that comes with this project expecially to the farms surrounding, and the financial impact, the decreasing land value to all properties in the surrounds.
This project is a hazard and safety concern for the community. I reject the submission and will be very disappointed if council do not take the communities concerns into consideration.

Louisa Ernst

I was dissapointed at the news of this project, this will have a profoundly negative impact on the residents surrounding this, my mother and father live on Ascot calla Rd and it not only will have an impact on their lives, the extreme devaluation of their land and the negative environmental impacts , but! It will have a direct financial impact on my the Value of that property when it is left to my sister and myself , as someone who grew up in tamworth its apauling to think that the country city that I loved so much would let this happen to its residents, its native flora and fauna, its farming communities and its future.

As a person who was born and bred in Tamworth I strongly believe this project will impact the local neighbourhood, environment and broader Tamworth community. In particular it WILL devalue homes with many home owners already been told by local agents that they will loose 20 to 30% off their property upon completion of the project. Government and industry have NOT considered those most vulnerable - home owners close to the site. A small "value benefits" scheme is being offered to some home owners BUT this by no means covers anywhere near the loss they will incur. This battery plant will make millions of dollars! I ask government and industry to work with those most impacted and at the very least compensate home owners for the loss on their property. Many home owners have written property estimates and evaluations - please help these home owners and FULLY compensate them for their loss. These people have worked their whole lives to own these homes and now a big chunk is being taken away. It simply breaks my heart.

In addition - this plant will impact the environment and become a HUGE EYE SORE. Locals didn't buy around the area too look at an ulgy battery 'tip'. This area MUST blend with the environment AT the very LEAST. I ask for a noise and site wall to be placed around the entire site. Landscaping and full sized trees will need to be placed around the entire wall and site SO at the very LEAST - this new build blends in better with the environment and local residents are not as impacted EACH DAY hearing battery/fuzzy sounds AND looking at a battery 'tip' instead of the beautiful regional landscape they thought they would spend the rest of their lives living in.

I'm so incredibly saddened by the placement of the battery plant. New place areas SHOULD be considered. The plant should be located further out of town - it's simply too close to local residents and neighbourhoods. The 3 new sites Calala, Kingswood and Tamworth for proposed battery plants ARE NOT the right locations. Please consider relocating these sites further out of town! They are hurtful from a community, financial and environmental perspective. Local residents are not devastated and may seek media attention if government and industry cannot support OR at the very least compensate locals. What happened to helping all members of community - how DOES the government allow industry to destroy local homes, devalue properties and not offer adequate compensation to cover loss and day to day living experiences (i.e. plant eye-sore, plant noise). FOR a project that will MAKE MILLIONS - can we at the very least help our local residents most impacted. AND help in terms of FULL compensation for loss. I believe in renewable energy BUT not at the cost of human lives, homes and well-being. No matter the number - if it were your family, your friends and your community - wouldn't you at least hope FULL compensation would be provided? How are government and industry getting away with this? There has been minimal compensation offered to date. It's not fair and is so damaging. Could not further express my disappointment.

I live adjacent to the proposed site of the Tamworth BEST project and am very concerned with the detrimental affect it will have on us as human beings and on the land as follows:
1. Occupying and making redundant perfectly productive agricultural land.
2. Being detrimental to the cosmetic appearance of the area with structures that are not typical of normal rural area activities and hence devaluing the surrounding properties.
3. The unknown affect this and other projects in the area will have on personal health issues relating to EMF damage and noise and air pollution.
4. The dangers, noise and road damage due to excess traffic created in the construction and ongoing maintenance of the project.
5. In particular the cumulative affect of other similar projects in the area, being the Calala BEST and the Kingswood BEST projects which will only exacerbate the problems as listed above.
It is in light of these concerns that I am requesting this project does not proceed.

The risk is to high for this particular project and the land they want to put it on is likely to flood

Please see the attached Submission of Rejection

I live next door to the proposed bess , we also have two other bess projects happening within a 2 km radius of our house
These projects will have an adverse effect on our property, visual, noise and most importantly the devaluation of our property.
When we purchased our land and built there 21 years ago, we knew about Transgrid being across from us, and knew about the upgrade that was completed by Transgrid three years ago, and was happy to live where we are, as Transgrid can't go beyond its boundary. This renewal energy situation is different, not once were we told about any future projects relating to this.
A meeting with the developers of this project was held last night, which did not go well as far as the locals were concerned, they indicated that this project was definitely going ahead and we should think about they can do for us, ie tar the road. Buy a tractor??
The developers handed out information in regard to noise, they said it didn't impact us as it only a noise of a refrigerator, I call bullshit on that, as each storage unit has a cooling system that will run 24hrs, they are putting 136 storage units, so in affect, the noise will be 136 refrigerators running at the same time. They said they are putting in noise barriers, but provided no information om what type, they say they are putting in vegetation, ie trees, shrubs, yet they will take years to grow. What do we do in the meantime, look and hear the big storage systems every day? Please see attached info.
It's not only this project that will create noise, but also the accumulative effect of the combine three bess proceeding within 2km of us, I'm sure no one will want to live surrounded by three big projects, I certainly do want to live like this.

One of the residents had asked about the reason they are building so close to rural /residential area, stating that solar farms and wind farms can't be built within 5km of residential, so why can they. The Developers had no response to that, only that they are doing it as Transgrid is accessible and cost affective to them.
As we are directly affected by this project proceeding, we feel that we have had no response as to what the developers can do for us to mitigate our major concerns, ie visual, noise and property values in future. The meeting last night was just a tick and flick for them to say they had held community engagement sessions. No positive outcome or future outcomes to appease the local Neighbour's who are directly affected were achieved. I put forward 5 questions last night in regard to our major concerns, not one was answered on the night, the presenter for the developer was just a publicity person, who did not know many things and could not answer our major concerns, he just finished up by saying to us all to think about they could do for us to enable the project to proceed. WE ALL stated that they could not do the project !! , that would make us very happy.

The deputy Mayor of Tamworth was there last night, and she indicated that the council does not know much about this project and was there to find out more information. She felt it was very glossed over and not much was achieved to appease the locals.
In finishing up, I do not want this project to proceed, nor the other two projects.
These projects will have a great adverse effect on our whole lifestyle, and in future, the devaluation of our property.
We feel that if this somehow does proceed, we would be looking for compensation for the devaluation of our property.

I strongly oppose and object to this project. I believe in sustainable energy however the placement of the battery plant is far too close to local neighbourhoods and communities.

I know a couple home owners on Burgmannes Lane and they have been informed if this project goes ahead it could devalue their property by over 500k + more. Disappointed Government and industry are not financially compensating those most vulnerable and affected. Property evaluations should be completed before and after the install of the plant. Home owners must be compensated for the short fall.

Key rationale for opposing the plant:
*Devaluation of property (as per above) and lack of care and compensation for those most vulnerable
*Change of environmental landscape - Mass plants right on local streets are ulgy and an eye sore.
*Extra traffic on dirt roads - causing more pot holes and road damage. These roads are already in poor condition without extra vehicles (particularly heavy vehicles) on it. This poses more of a safety risk to road users.
*Possible dust, noise and visual pollution from construction, delivery and implementation

Key question what are you doing for those most affected?
*Sound proofed windows are not enough. Country people like fresh country air - not closed windows.
*Noise walls around the FULL site featuring massive trees in front of the noise wall to cover ENTIRE site would be more helpful. This site should be built to fit into the beautiful landscape its going to destroy.
*Relocation of the plant is of course the most preferred option - relocation to further back in town where NO neighbours are impacted for at least 1km.

Iam writing to submit my objection to the Tamworth BESS that is proposed for Burgmanns Lane Kingswood.
I am of the understanding that there will be two other BESS located within a few kilometers of the Transgrid site along Burgmanns Lane.

These projects should not be located near the local residents at all.
I understand that they are doing it because of the close proximity of Transgrid.
These projects will destroy all the farming lands that surround these projects.
I'm sure that being a resident of Tamworth all my life, I would not like it next to me due to the fact it would change the rural outlook for the existing residents, not even the noise of these batteries running 24 hours a day
Do we really need these renewables in in such a built-up residential area, my answer to that is no!!
This proposed project will alter the whole area surrounding the site, it would make the area feel more industrial, however it is not rated industrial, so why has this project even proceeded this far.
The road around this site is a dirt road, what would happen to the road when big heavy trucks start driving along these country roads that are not sealed and are narrow in spots, how would a local driver get around such big trucks?
The creek that cuts along Burgmanns Lane floods regularly, what impact will that have in regard to safety measurements.
Batteries are in the spotlight because of fires, how will that impact the local farming area?

Because of all the concerns of the location, noise traffic, visual, I believe this project should not be given the green light to procced
These poor landowners will have a big loss of value of their properties if this will procced
it's a case of not needed in such a beautiful area of Tamworth
We should look at other locations that don't affect any residential areas, industrial areas would be fine, as its not affecting people and their properties.

I strongly oppose this project, not only this one, but there are two others that are proposed for this area.
How could any agree to having three bess projects within a few kilometers from there house, this would look absolutely awful and ruin the whole rural area. Why should these projects be approved??
What about the poor farmers in this area, as a paddock to plate operator, I strongly oppose this project. Those poor farmers will have their lively hood going down the drain.
The major concern for all the residents would be the property values, what will this project do to their future sale of properties. I hope to leave my kids a property that has value, this project will certainly affect their resale value.
For some unknown reason that this project does proceed, the very least the developers should be made to create a noise barrier around the whole site and of course it should be covered with greenery and shrubs, the poor neighbors would hate to look at a huge row of giant boxes. It takes years to grow trees, have they started to plant trees along the neighbors boundaries??
I think all residents that are on the boundaries of this project should be compensated for the loss of value of their properties.
All other residents affected should not be looking a giant eye sore, also the traffic during construction would be great.
This road is a dirt road, are the developers going to tar this road? I think they should be made to do it as part of the approval process
Bottom line, this project should not be approved. Leave our lovely rural area of Tamworth just that, Rural, not industrial!!
I don't think this area is rated industrial, so how can you approve it??, Yes Transgrid has been there for over forty years, but Council have allowed residential buildings around it, so therefor, it's a residential area.

Please find attached my objection to Tamworth BESS SSD-23830229

Please find attached my objection to Tamworth BESS SSD-23830229

I believe in sustainable energy; however, I strongly oppose to this project due to the close proximity to local neighbourhoods and communities of the Battery Energy Storage plant.

As someone who knows many homeowners on Burgmanns Lane, Burgess Lane and Falcon Drive I strongly oppose to this project being conducted in this area. These homeowners have spent a lot of money building their homes and properties and
if this project goes ahead, it could devalue their property and anywhere up to 500k plus.

If this project was to go ahead, it would be recommenced that a property evaluation is completed before and after the install of the plant, then the homeowners were compensated for the short fall.

It is just disappointing that Government and industry are not financially compensating those most vulnerable and affected.

Opposing the Battery Energy Storage System
• Devaluation of the properties in the area.
• Change to the landscape and environment.
• Extra traffic in the area and on dirt road, which would cause more damage to the road and potholes, especially when the roads are in poor condition a lot of the time without the additional of vehicles and heavy vehicles. This causes more issues and concerns, additional dust, noise, and pollution from the construction of the battery plant.

What you could do to help the community members and home owners should this go ahead
• have this Battery Energy Storage plant relocated to a better area where minimal impact to neighbours at least 1 kms away from the plan.
• a noise wall around the entire Battery Energy Storage plant and then to add in front of this a line of trees to go around the entire Battery Energy Storage plant.
• the site MUST fit in with the current beautiful landscape and area.
• compensation to be given to vulnerable homeowners due to the devaluation of property after the Battery Energy Storage plant is established.

I know that this has been communicated with landowners and community members, however what has been discussed is still not satisfactory and many questions have not been addressed nor alternative options been provided.

Real Estate has gone up over the last few years and this project would lessen the value. For example, in:
• 2018 property sold for $890,000, 509 Burgmanns Lane - https://www.domain.com.au/property-profile/509-burgmanns-lane-hillvue-nsw-2340
• 2022 property sold for $2,500,00, 57 Burgess Lane Calala - https://www.property.com.au/nsw/calala-2340/burgess-lane/57-pid-2782953/
• 2022 property sold for $3,500,00, 399 Burgmanns Lane - https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/399-burgmanns-lane-tamworth-nsw-2340-2017850730

Please consider these points and make consecrations to all local owners.

Dear Sam & Gina,
I have been through the documents provided by GMR in regard to the proposed battery energy storage facility on Burgmanns Lane. I have below limited my objection to be short and sweet.
As a close neighbour to the proposed battery project, I will be objecting to location, mainly given its proximity to newly constructed homes and use of prime grazing farmland within the city limits of Tamworth.
This type of proposal is generally always the stepping stone for a much larger wind turbine or Solar farm project. As a directly affected resident (only 650m from my home), I object to any development of not only a battery storage facility, but possibly, renewable energy structures be declined, not only because of its close proximity to town but the large environmental & amenity impacts it will have further down the track.
Battery fire, Two Tesla Megapacks were engulfed in flames when a fire broke out during initial testing at the Victorian Big Battery site in Moorabool, near Geelong, on July 30. The blaze triggered a warning for toxic smoke and it took “four days” for the site to be deemed under control by firefighters! The having such a fire possible close to peoples homes and open grassland is unacceptable. The risk of Toxic smoke and an uncontrolled fire for 4 days is a possibility within 500m to a housing estate? This type of development should be 10KM+ from any house or town to prevent the risk of toxic smoke and fire affecting near by homes.
Noise, in the BESS EIS statement its predicted that the noise during operation is to exceed noise criteria for about 90% of the residences within 1 km of the project site. As a close resident the main selling point for the area is that its quiet and away from the main arterial roads. I would object to any increase in ambient noise at all especially one which is from a development which should be well away from houses in the first instance.
Traffic, burgmans lane and burgess lane were both over used and trashed by the traffic during the recent construction at the transgrid site adjacent to the proposed battery. I believe any further construction which would see and increase of workers traffic either during construction or operation would have a detrimental affect on the roads surface. Council should make the applicant seal the road from the new England high way all the way to the burgess lane intersection and the remaining burgess lane also. The road only “just” copes with the traffic in its current form.
Land use, the EIS statement says the land on which project is proposed is “not categorised as high value agricultural land”. I would argue that that is untrue, given the land adjacent is irrigated and grows numerous lucerne crops year round which is essential for the local farmers during drought or dry times. Its easy for someone in an office in the city to say they are not prime agricultural lands but they still hold value to the local community.
Solar farms are proven to increase the surrounding ambient temperature significantly, especially in lieu of open grazing country. Ambient temperatures monitored around solar farms show an average increase or 4 – 5 Degrees Celsius on average. Given the local temperature already exceeds 35 Celsius on most summer days, this would not only make the local area unbearably hot but also increase power loads due to the Airconditioning usage of local residents. This in nature also increasing the running costs of all local homes.
Wind turbines produce vibration and low tone sound which can adversely affect health and wellbeing of native animals and humans. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/06/19/wind-farm-noise-recorded-almost-9km-away/ study found by Flinders University as attached shows sounds audible at 9km away. Therefore these types of structures would be Audible at the post office and base hospital, therefore I ask the future intent must be disclosed to all Tamworth residents.
Summary:
I would ask that GMR disclosed the future proposal for “ALL” the land held by them or associated companies, in the vicinity of Burgmanns Lane in its entirety before council or any authority (JRPP) make any decisions affecting local residents.
The proposed usage of the battery must be disclosed to the local community prior to and approvals being granted. I am sure if the future proposal for GMR or and associate companies is to in fact install renewable energy this close to the city, I am positive the local community will strongly recommend refusal of the Development of the Battery Energy storage facility “BESS Tamworth”
If GMR intends the development only be used for “off the grid power” and not renewables, I ask that council condition the Development Consent that the battery system will not be used in any form for the storage of renewable energy whether it be Wind Turbines or Solar Farms.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed battery plant project. While I support sustainable energy initiatives, the planned location of the battery plant is alarmingly close to residential neighbourhoods and communities.

Several homeowners on Burgmannes Lane have been informed that, if this project proceeds, their property values could decrease by over $500,000. It is disheartening that neither the government nor the industry is offering financial compensation to those who are most affected by this project. Comprehensive property evaluations should be conducted both before and after the installation of the plant, and homeowners must be compensated for any resulting loss in property value.

Key reasons for opposing the plant include:
-Devaluation of property: As mentioned, there is a lack of care and compensation for the most vulnerable residents.
-Change of environmental landscape: The mass presence of industrial plants on local streets is unsightly and detracts from the area's aesthetic appeal.
-Increased traffic on dirt roads: Additional traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, will exacerbate the already poor condition of these roads, increasing the risk to road users.
-Potential dust, noise, and visual pollution: The construction, delivery, and implementation phases may result in significant environmental disturbances.

I have several questions and suggestions regarding mitigation for those most affected:
-Soundproofed windows are insufficient: Residents value fresh country air and should not be forced to keep windows closed.
-Noise walls around the entire site: Featuring large trees in front of the noise wall to conceal the entire site would be more effective. ---The plant should be designed to blend into the landscape it will inevitably alter.
Relocation of the plant: Ideally, the plant should be relocated further away from residential areas, ensuring no neighbours are impacted within a radius of at least 1 kilometer.

I hope you will consider these concerns and take appropriate action to address them.

Is this a joke!! The proposal to build 3 BESS on the edge of a large residential area is crazy. They have a huge fire risk and the resulting toxins they will spew into the surrounding environment will very harmful let alone the risk to human health.
Stop this ridiculous proposal, the Tamworth community do not want this!!

I have reviewed the documents provided by GMR regarding the proposed battery energy storage facility on Burgmanns Lane. Below, I have summarized my objections in a concise manner.
As a close neighbor to the proposed battery project, I object to its location due to its proximity to newly constructed homes and the use of prime grazing farmland within the city limits of Tamworth.
This type of proposal often serves as a precursor to larger wind turbine or solar farm projects. As a directly affected resident (only 600m from my home), I object to the development of both a battery storage facility and potential future renewable energy structures. This objection is based on the close proximity to town and the significant environmental and amenity impacts it could have.
Battery Fire Risks:
Two Tesla Megapacks were engulfed in flames during initial testing at the Victorian Big Battery site in Moorabool, near Geelong, on July 30. The fire triggered a toxic smoke warning and took four days to be controlled by firefighters. The potential for such a fire near homes and open grassland is unacceptable. The risk of toxic smoke and an uncontrolled fire within 500m of a housing estate is concerning. This type of development should be located at least 10 km from any house or town to prevent the risk of toxic smoke and fire affecting nearby homes.
Noise:
The BESS EIS statement predicts that operational noise will exceed noise criteria for about 90% of residences within 1 km of the project site. As a resident who values the quiet environment away from main roads, I object to any increase in ambient noise. This type of development should be situated far from residential areas to avoid noise pollution.
Traffic:
Burgmanns Lane and Burgess Lane were heavily used and damaged during the recent construction at the TransGrid site adjacent to the proposed battery site. Further construction would increase traffic, causing additional wear and tear on the road surfaces. The council should require the applicant to seal the road from the New England Highway to the Burgess Lane intersection and the remaining Burgess Lane. The current road barely copes with existing traffic.
Land Use:
The EIS statement claims that the project land is not high-value agricultural land. I dispute this, given that adjacent land is irrigated and used for year-round lucerne crops, essential for local farmers during droughts. It's easy for someone in a city office to dismiss the value of this land, but it holds significant value for the local community.



Environmental Impact of Solar Farms:
Solar farms can significantly increase surrounding ambient temperatures, especially compared to open grazing land. Ambient temperatures around solar farms can increase by 4-5 degrees Celsius on average. Given that local summer temperatures already exceed 35 degrees Celsius, this would make the area unbearably hot and increase power loads due to higher air conditioning usage, thereby raising running costs for local homes.
Summary:
I request that GMR disclose all future proposals for land held by them or associated companies in the vicinity of Burgmanns Lane before any decisions are made by the council or other authorities. The proposed usage of the battery must be disclosed to the local community before any approvals are granted. If GMR or associated companies intend to install renewable energy facilities this close to the city, I am confident the local community will strongly recommend refusing the development of the BESS Tamworth.
If GMR intends the development to be used only for off-the-grid power and not for renewable energy storage, the council should condition the development consent to ensure the battery system will not be used for storing energy from wind turbines or solar farms.

I wish to advise that I VERY STRONGLY OPPOSE and object to this project. The placement of the proposed battery plant is far too close to individuals and community members and their homes. Any projects such as this one should be placed much further from people's homes and neighbourhoods - Not only due to the effects the battery plant may have on the health and wellbeing of those located on Burgmanns Lane but also those in the neighbouring area behind the proposed battery plant - All of these people will be negatively impacted/affected - This is not okay. Not to mention the extremely significant devaluing of properties in the area should this battery plant go ahead, placing people in a position of high financial loss which is a disgrace. It is sad and disappointing (to say the least) to hear that a company would even consider placing a battery plant right next to peoples homes, regardless of the 'measures' you may plan to take in a very poor attempt to counteract the negative effect the battery plant will have on these communities members lives and livelihoods.
I know many people on Burgmanns Lane and regularly visit the area - It is beautiful and peaceful and should be left that way.
You MUST find elsewhere for this project where it will not have such a negative impact on community members - Somewhere further out of town and away from peoples homes. If you continue to try and go ahead with this project in the current proposed location, it simply shows you have an absolute disregard for community members and those it will have such a significant negative impact on in so many ways.

See attachment

Please find my OBJECTION to the proposed Tamworth BESS