Tamworth Battery Energy Storage System

The proposed lot is bush fire prone land, with 38 homes within 1km and,
as with electric vehicle fires, they must burn themselves out if ignited
as they are unable to be extinguished. These fires also emit toxic gas.
Drainage from the site will go into Goonoo-Goonoo Creek and then into
the Peel river.

• The renewable energy project is positioned within 500m of residential and rural housing areas.
• The renewable energy farm will be eye sore to the country landscape. An area once agricultural land, now taken up with huge lithium battery units.
• The project will impact on mental health caused by visual effects, noise, loss of land value and neighbourhood morale.
• Brand new homes are within 500 metres of the proposed project. Therefore, increasing the risk of health to all persons just from the pollutants of the project being constructed let alone when it’s up and running.
• The BESS facility will be lit up 24/7 - turning night into day. From our house the sky will glow. The glow of the lights will block out the beauty Tamworth’s lovely city lights.
• The acreage will be poisoned through contaminated liquid as water runoff has nowhere to go except into the aquifers. Even if the developers redirect the water, the runoff could even end up in the Goonoo Goonoo River which is approximately 800 meters away and downhill from the project. The Goonoo Goonoo River feeds into the Peel River. Water goes downhill. The project is uphill from the river.
• Contaminated liquid will leak into the underground aquifers ruining immediate landholder water supplies resulting in unusable water for stock and irrigation.
• The noise generated from this storage facility will annoy neighbours all day with constant humming.
• The chances of a fire lithium explosion is 85% with a spontaneous effect from one to another.
• The fires can’t be put out – they have to burn out.
• The fumes from the fires are toxic.
• Once the lifespan of the projects is completed, the developers walk away leaving behind a mess for the landowner to clean up of which they can’t do anything about because the infrastructure is toxic and can’t be disposed of.
• The proposed BESS facility doesn’t supply power to Tamworth – the electricity is sent away and after all the destruction of the land, the waste of money installing the renewable energy resource, the electricity gained is only good for powering up to 1 million houses for 20 minutes.
• Renewable energy sites rely on coal powered energy to operate. How useful is that??
• The proposed Tamworth BESS is set to be constructed just behind us on beautiful grazing land where stock run freely, farmers turn grass into hay, families ride horses through the paddocks and along the side roads, owners enjoy the amazing sunrises and sunsets, country-siders listen to the birds and watch the wildlife and all this will be gone because of renewable energy resources which are really just a hazard from construction to destruction.

The proponent should be made aware of these two recent reports, and advise how they intend to deal with such situations.
A. Lithium Thermal Fire Runaway video 8min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UY4ioP4VQ
B. FIREFIGHTERS AGAINST RENEWABLES OVER VICTORIA https://www.farov.com.au/

I object to having the Tamworth BESS close to my home in Burgmanns Lane, Tamworth for the following reasons;

• I am concerned for the health and safety of my family in the event of this BESS catching fire and emitting toxic gases.

• I believe that the installation of this BESS will hugely devalue our property.

• Traffic in the area will increase by around 50% with Burgmanns Lane being a primary route. The part of the road where we live is unsealed and regularly needs grading especially after heavy rainfall. This extra traffic flow will cause more noise, dust, road degradation and vehicle emissions. How will this be mitigated?

• I believe that the low ‘hum’ created from the batteries will compromise my children and be detrimental to their acute sound sensitivities and overall wellbeing. Can you guarantee that the noise generated from this BESS will not exceed acceptable noise limits at all times, including the sleep disturbance criterion?

• The batteries contain flammable electrolytes that can ignite and create a fire that can quickly spread, leading to property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. What will be your Risk Management Plan in this instance?

• When lithium-ion batteries are stored together, there is a risk of a chain reaction where a single battery's thermal runaway can cause other batteries to catch fire. In the event of a fire, will my family be displaced while waiting days for these fires to burn themselves out as they are unable to be extinguished?

• Lithium-ion batteries contain metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are toxic and can contaminate water supplies and ecosystems if they leach out of landfills. What will be the environmental impact of drainage from the site running into Goonoo-Goonoo Creek and then into Peel River?

• While lithium-ion batteries can be used as a part of a sustainable solution, shifting all fossil fuel-powered devices to lithium-based batteries might not be the Earth's best option. There is no scarcity yet, but it is a natural resource that can be depleted. According to researchers at Volkswagen, there are about 14 million tons of lithium left, which corresponds to 165 times the production volume in 2018. What research have you conducted for the long term viability of this resource?

• In 20 to 30 years time, what is your plan for disposal of these batteries at the end of their lifespan? Can you guarantee that the disposal will not have a detrimental environmental impact?

I look forward to your earliest response in answering my questions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please find attached my submission ref: 240624_NSW PP_Tamworth BESS SSD-23830229_Submission_Redact

I am confused by the Exhibition notice requiring a name and address, whilst this section states that all of the information provided in any attachments will be published. Accordingly I have redacted that information from my submission and place reliance on the details provided through my Login.

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed development of a battery energy storage system on Burgmans Lane, Tamworth. While I am a staunch supporter of sustainable energy solutions, this project is not appropriately cited, given its proximity to residential areas and the negative impacts it will have on the local community. The placement of such an industrial facility in a rural-residential zoned area is inappropriate and ill-conceived, considering the detrimental effects on neighbouring properties, residents, and the environment.

Impact on Property Values and Lack of Compensation
The proposed battery plant poses a significant threat to the value of properties in the vicinity. I know several homeowners on Burgmans Lane who have been informed that their property values could decrease by over $500,000 if this project goes ahead. This potential devaluation is not just a number, but a substantial financial burden on these residents who have invested their life savings into their homes. Despite this, there appears to be no provision for financial compensation from the government or industry for those most vulnerable and affected by this development. It is only fair that property evaluations be conducted before and after the installation of the plant, with homeowners compensated for any shortfall. The lack of care and compensation for those impacted highlights a grave oversight in the planning of this project.

Environmental and Visual Pollution
The proposed development will dramatically alter the environmental landscape of the area. The mass installation of industrial plants in what is currently a rural residential area will create an eyesore, detracting from the natural beauty that residents and visitors value. The visual pollution caused by the battery storage system, with its stark industrial appearance, is incompatible with the existing aesthetic of the area. This change will not only affect the residents' quality of life but also potentially diminish the area's attractiveness for future buyers, further exacerbating the issue of property devaluation.

Increased Traffic and Road Damage
The construction and operation of the battery storage system will inevitably lead to increased traffic on Burgmans Lane and surrounding dirt roads. These roads are already in poor condition, and the additional burden of heavy vehicles will exacerbate their deterioration, leading to more potholes and road damage. This poses a significant safety risk to all road users, including local residents, school buses, and emergency services. The current infrastructure is not equipped to handle the increased traffic, and the subsequent road maintenance costs will likely fall on the local government and taxpayers.

Dust, Noise, and Visual Pollution
The proposed development will generate significant dust, noise, and visual pollution during the construction, delivery, and implementation phases. This will disrupt the peaceful, rural environment that residents currently enjoy. The noise from construction activities and ongoing operations, including the hum of transformers and cooling systems, will disturb the area's tranquillity. While soundproofed windows may be suggested as a mitigation measure, they are insufficient for a community that values fresh country air and the ability to enjoy outdoor spaces without constant noise.

Insufficient Mitigation Measures
The proposed mitigation measures, such as soundproofed windows, do not adequately address the concerns of the affected residents. Country living is synonymous with open windows and fresh air, not being confined indoors to escape noise pollution. A more effective solution would include the construction of noise walls around the entire site, with massive trees planted in front to blend the facility into the natural landscape it will otherwise mar. However, even this measure does not fully mitigate the impacts on the community. The best solution would be to relocate the plant to a less intrusive location, further away from residential areas, where it would not affect neighbours within at least a one-kilometre radius.

Negative Impact on Agricultural Land
The development will also ruin valuable agricultural farming land. This area is not just a residential zone but also a hub for agricultural activities. The construction of the battery plant will take away land that could otherwise be used for farming, impacting local food production and the livelihoods of those who depend on agriculture. The rural residential zoning of the area is intended to support both residential and agricultural uses, and the introduction of an industrial facility contradicts this purpose.

Risk of Fires
One of the most critical concerns associated with the proposed battery storage farm is the risk of fires. Battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion technology, are known to have a risk of thermal runaway, which can lead to fires that are extremely difficult to control. Such fires can burn intensely, release toxic fumes, and potentially result in explosions. Given the rural nature of the area and the potential delay in emergency response times, a fire at this facility could have catastrophic consequences. Local firefighting resources may not be adequately equipped to handle such incidents, further exacerbating the risk to residents and the environment. The difficulty in managing these types of fires cannot be overstated and adds a significant hazard to the proposed development.

Lack of Consideration for Community Welfare
One of the most pressing unanswered questions is what steps are being taken to support those most affected by the development. The community deserves a detailed plan outlining how the negative impacts will be mitigated and how residents will be compensated for their losses. This includes not only financial compensation but also practical measures to ensure their quality of life is not unduly compromised.

In conclusion, while the development of a battery energy storage system is a step towards sustainable energy, the chosen location on Burgmans Lane, Tamworth, is highly inappropriate. The negative impacts on property values, the environmental landscape, road conditions, noise levels, and agricultural land far outweigh any potential benefits. I urge the planning committee to reconsider the placement of this project and to explore alternative locations that would not impose such significant burdens on the local community. Relocating the plant to a more suitable site, further away from residential areas, would demonstrate a commitment to both sustainable energy and the community's well-being.

Thank you for considering my objection.

Sincerely,
Sarah Holder

I am making this submission because as a Tamworth resident, I have several friends who live in close proximity to this storage system. I am concerned for their well being and health.
There are 665 homes within a 2km radius of this plant.
The noise that this project will create, 24hrs a day, exceeds acceptable levels at all times for the closest homes including the sleep disturbance criterion. The developer “hopes” mitigation measures will help.
Traffic in the area to increase by 46-62% with the primary route being via Whitehouse Lane, Marsden Park Rd, Burgess and Burgmanns Lanes which the developer says will have “no material impact on the roads”. They have obviously not seen the unsealed roads after rain!
The proposed lot is bush fire prone land, with 38 homes within 1km and, as with electric vehicle fires, they must burn themselves out if ignited as they are unable to be extinguished. These fires also emit toxic gas.
Drainage from the site will go into Goonoo-Goonoo Creek and then into the Peel river.
The proposed project may affect the underground water stream that supplies the nearby resident's bore water supply.
The proposed site will need to be excavated and may encompass the existing bore on the property, potentially impacting water flow.
The energy storage units in the proposed project are not expected to blend in with the rural environment.
Valent Energy have not completed any projects with this technology before.
Aquisition of land for the project has been described as underhanded, with owners being offered up to double the value of their properties, with non-disclosure agreements being requested.
The approval for projects like this should be put on hold until a transparent investigation is conducted to assess their impact our community.

I am writing to you to express my dismay that a battery energy storage system is proposed to be installed in Tamworth
I do like the idea of renewable projects, however I believe this is too close to a lovely residential area.
The affect of the local residents are horrific, the visual, noise and traffic will destroy this area.
Just wondering if the project builders have considered the neighbours directly affected ( ie next door properties ), have they looked at the devaluation of such beautiful properties. The residents have put their heart and soul into building and maintaining these lovely acreage properties, only be ruined by such and ugly, noisy project.
The construction phase will only damage the existing dirt roads surrounding the project, are the builders of this project going to tar the existing Burgmanns Lane road ?
What will the finished project look like? Are the builders putting in lots of trees and maybe a noise barrier to hide this big storage containers from the poor local neighbours? If not, they should be made to have this done.
I calling on your department to look at all of my points of view and address these concerns

I oppose this project on the basis of the issues around lack of consultation, potential fire risk and contamination of local water. The areas of fire risk and groundwater contamination have not been sufficiently examined or treated seriously by the EIS.
The incorrect figures, often contradicting themselves through the documentation on fire risk and especially facts around the increase in traffic and basic information on the local conditions suggest that the EIS was not prepared with due diligence.
Please see my submission attached.
Allen Fox.

I wish to make a few comments regarding the BESS’s Kingswood, Calala and Tamworth, located south-east of Tamworth city.
Potential Toxic pollution.
The preferred battery chemistry for these battery systems appears to be lithium based. Lithium based batteries are prone to runaway fires and the resulting generation of toxic fumes and particulates. Such toxic pollution would spread over numerous neighbouring residences, and established state significant assets – Farrer Memorial High School where hundreds of boys board during school term, Tamworth Agricultural Institute (NSWDPI) - the principal agricultural research and advisory facility in north-western NSW, a highly productive economical important region of the state. Toxic pollution could seriously impact the research work by permanently contaminating field trial soils at the Institute.
Toxic emissions emanating from a runaway fire will pollute highly productive farmland for a number of kilometres surrounding the battery installations. The irrigatable flood plains of the Goonoo Goonoo Creek and the Peel / Cockburn Valleys produce high and reliable yields of various valuable agricultural produce. Dryland crop productivity adjoining the battery sites can be well above the national average when sound agronomic management is applied. I was employed by NSWDPI as a Senior Principal Agricultural Research Scientist for 32 years at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute. I am well aware of the agricultural productivity of the land in the vicinity of the battery sites. The Calala BESS boundary adjoins the Agricultural Institute boundary. Field crop trials will be conducted within tens of metres of the batteries. A number of experimental trials cannot be moved to farms as they could involve the release of pathogens for disease management research, use of unregistered compounds, and/or patented inputs (eg. patented/protected varieties of crop species).
Toxic emissions will find their way into the waters of the abovementioned streams. These waters are taken downstream from these rivers for domestic town and farm water supplies right to the mouth of the Murray River. These emissions (metallic compounds) are inorganic and as such will not breakdown to harmless compounds. Eventually these compounds will move down stream, impacting numerous communities.
Lithium based batteries are unsuitable for these locations, on the edge of a city, where the adverse impacts on the community could be severe and permanent. Alternative battery chemistries are available eg. sodium. Sodium based batteries do not suffer from runaway fires, hence no generation of toxic pollution. The installation of sodium batteries could prove more economical. Sodium salts are very cheap compared to lithium equivalents. While the charge density of sodium batteries is less than lithium, size and weight of fixed (non mobile) batteries is not a prime consideration like it is for mobile rechargeable batteries (eg. electric vehicles). NSW Fire and Rescue / NSW Rural Fire Service will not extinguish lithium battery fires but only control the fire spread beyond the perimeter. While the owners claim that runaway fire prevention mechanisms will be installed, large storage batteries can and have occurred in Australia and overseas, despite such controls.
Noise
All battery units require constant air cooling. These cooling fans generate a significant level of constant noise which will be heard by nearby residence, expected to be up to 1.5 km around the site. Appropriate noise barriers must be installed around the battery sites to block any noise starting from the commencement of battery operation. Solid concrete /brick walls must be constructed around the battery perimeter. A vegetation barrier will not be appropriate as such a barrier will take a number of years to grow. Such a plant barrier could be a fire risk in the event of a battery fire.
Roads
Roads leading to the battery sites will require significant upgrading. Most roads are unsealed at present. A bridge across Goonoo Goonoo Creek will be necessary as Burgmanns Lane crosses the Creek via a low level deep culvert, totally inadequate for truck passage. The battery owners must be required to make a significant financial contribution to these works.
Future Growth of Tamworth City
The possible construction of three BESS on the south-east perimeter of the city will significantly impact on the future expansion of the residential development in this direction. There is a large area of potential prime residential land to the south-east of Tamworth. The land is cleared and has pleasing elevation and views, near zero bushfire risk and flood free. Tamworth is a significant growth centre and this growth must not be impeded.
Position on Battery Storage Systems
I am not opposed to the construction of BESSs in an appropriate location and of an appropriate safe type, so that the electricity system can transition into a sustainable non carbon polluting network. Such a transition is essential for the wellbeing of future community generations. The battery systems most have minimal to nil adverse social, physical and health impacts on the surrounding community. Technologies are available to achieve these very low community impacts. These technologies are economically on a par with the proposed planned battery installations, with particular reference to battery chemistry.

I absolutely object to this Battery Energy Storage System. the location is very wrong for all concerned.
I like the idea of this system, but not next to residential areas that will be vastly affected by its location.
The main reasons I object are as follows:
1 ) Location
2 ) Noise , during construction and after completion the noise from the batteries
3) Fire , a big concern for local neighbours, as its a farming area
4) Visual , these are huge containers that would be seen from a long way away, have the developers considered noise and visual walls and greenery?
5) Compensation for direct neighbours, devaluation of the properties, I hope the developers offered compensation ?
6) Traffic , increased traffic along a dirt road

Please consider my objection for all concerned

I object to this project. I do believe that renewables have their place, just not in this location.
This Tamworth BESS is a real blow for the local residents. It will look ugly and a terrible sight for the whole neighbour hood.
I would be complaining about the noise of the constant running of these batteries, which have cooling fans running 24 hours a day
Would there be any compensation for the direct neighbours, I'm sure this project will devalue the properties that border this project.
Have the developers offered any type of compensation? If not , they should!!
The proposed project is going along a dirt road, that constantly floods , are the developers fixing the road, as there will be lots of trucks during the construction phase of around 12 months, the dust would be terrible and the noise of the trucks would be huge.

I have also heard that there are two other BESS projects within a kilometre of this project, how can this be allowed?
What is this doing to the semi rural area of Tamworth, and a very large residential area within a kilometre of these projects.
Please consider that poor hard working residents that have invested a lot of money setting up there forever homes, only to have it destroyed by the Tamworth BESS
I would like to see common sense prevail and stop this project proceeding.

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

Community affected:
- There are 665 homes within a 2km radius of this plant.
- A rise in mental health issues has already been detected just from the planning of this project.
Noise Pollution:
- The noise that this project will create, 24hrs a day, exceeds acceptable levels at all times for the closest homes including the sleep disturbance criterion.
- The decibel frequency omitted by this project can cause interference with hearing devices (hearing aids) - no one, let alone those with a disability should have their quality of life diminished further. Noise pollution like this can be tortuous and lead to mental insanity in both humans and animals.
Road Safety and maintenance:
- Traffic in the area will increase by 46-62% with the primary route being via Whitehouse Lane, Marsden Park Rd, Burgess and Burgmanns Lanes.
- There are a lot of children and equine enthusiasts that live on these roads. Increased traffic raises the risk of accidents.
- Some of these roads are unsealed and are patial to road repair after heavy traffic use, this repair and maintance will come at the cost of the rate payer yet the increase in traffic is due to this project. Not fair. The roads that are sealed are not built for heavy traffic use either.
Fire risk:
- The lot is bush fire prone land, with 38 homes within 1km.
- These fires also emit toxic gas - harmful to both humans and animals. Properties within 1km of this plant are livestock producers, this plant puts at risk the biosecurity of these operations with toxic gas from fires and leachates into the ground water contaminating the primary production operations causing livestock to be:
1. withheld from market due to contamination or withholding periods.
2. reduction in stud stock value due to effects on mental ability from noise pollution
all of which will subject the landholder to a loss of income.
Water contamination:
- Drainage from the site will go into Goonoo-Goonoo Creek and then into the Peel river.
Devaluation of property:
- Rural Property value will decrease by $500,000
- Evident already with 3 properies within 2km radius of the plant on the market and potential buyers have pulled out of sales on all 3 once finding out about this plant and the Kingswood plant.
- Compensation is requested in full for all properties within a 2 km radius.
Other notes:
- There are a lot of horse trainers and industry professionals that live within a 2 km radius of this plant, this plant will cause a loss of income for these professionals with horse owners not wanting to subject their horses to the effects of this plant (toxicity in the air and water and noise) - even if it is "proven" to not have an effect - the loss of income is imminent by association, there are a lot of negative factors surrounding BESS, these are circulated amongst the community and therefore all BESS plants have a negative connotation, so by having a property nearby we are subject to a financial loss just by association.

The proposed development is very close to a heavily populated residential area at Calala as well as being an ugly scar on the landscape.
The developers are not acting truthfully and with full transparency. They have been doing unethical things such as offering property owners huge amounts, some double what they are worth.
Projects like this should not be allowed so close to town, and taking productive farmland.
Noise and electromagnetic radiation will have a detrimental effect on flora and fauna, especially birdlife and bees.
If this project is allowed to go ahead, it will be disastrous for the people living close by, as well as the local area.

As a community the intended proposed location of the Tamworth BESS and the other other BESS's is in the wrong location. We are concerned that if an incident occurs, this will effect the major water catchment areas. These major waterways flow into Tamworths water supply.
Also this could is very close to a residential area. Tamworth is wanting to expand to a population of 100,000. How is this supposed to occur when massive industrial structures are constructed right near a growing residential area.
They say they can mitigate noise, with plants. Plants take years to grow, this will not be an over night fix.
Tamworth known for beautiful farm and country side. How can we keep this with big concrete structures and industrial look.

Please have a good look at a better location not near residential areas and not on prime farm land.

Please refer to my attachment. It outlines my objections to this Battery Project.

I wish to object to the proposal to locate this Battery Project so close to Calala, on the grounds that the risk of fire and emergency is unable to be adequately managed with what is an extremely volatile substance. Also, will the neighbouring property owners end up paying more for their insurance policies in order for insurance companies to accept the huge risk.
Lithium Ion fires are a chemical fire that most people underestimate. They don't need the normal fire elements to start combustion. They can self-combust just by adding water into the chemical mix. I note that in the Environmental Impact Statement it has been stated that a misting system will be used to fight an outbreak of fire. This won't work, as moisture makes it more volitile. I don't believe there has been adequate planning put into this hazard.
I believe the developer of this project needs to be made financially responsible for implementing a proven procedure for fighting a fire within this location. They should be forced to equip the site with any specialist equipment and proven methods necessary to remove this risk.
As this proposal is being considered, insurance companies are busy changing policy wording regarding the storage of Lithium Ion batteries. it is not known how future household insurance policies will be worded regarding Lithium Ion batteries storage. Insurance companies may take a harsh stand against policy holders located close to such a huge source of Lithium Ion batteries. Just like when properties located outside of a 1:50 year flooding risk criteria were deemed low-risk to insurance companies, suddenly they were deemed high-risk when that criteria was changed to a 1:100 year flood area. They were then harshly viewed by insurance companies, and the insurance companies that are willing to accept the risk are now charging a policy fee that's inflated by 3-4 times the normal amount. Will the neighbours of this Lithium bomb end up paying a premium on their policies?
I believe a trust fund should be set up to indemnify the property owners for damage to their property in the event of a major incident. It would need to be sufficient to purchase the neighbouring properties, and compensate all nearby property owners should they find themselves not covered for any claim arising from any loss due to an incident caused by this project. As this project is located close to houses in the Lampada Estate and to Calala itself, this trust fund would need to be substantial. It seems obvious that it would make more sense to locate this project a much greater distance from such a densely populated residential area.

I object to the proposed project the Tamworth BESS. As the sister of a property owner with in a kilometer of the project, I have witnessed the emotional strain this has put on and brother and his family in their attempt to keep from losing everything they worked so hard for in their retirement. I have also witnessed the immediate neighbors around the area and the sickening strain this unethical company Valant has put upon them the threats put towards the immediate neighbor to seek legal advice. It is my belief that the government has not prepared in anyway for these foreign companies to come into Australia, use their foreign tactics to persuade people to sell and then lie their way through trying to get investors to sell the projects on at the loss of the Australian people. It is also my opinion that laws and regulations have not been put in place for the batteries or the renewables. This is unacceptable for Australian government to treat their people in this manner. Again, I object to not only the Tamworth BESS but also the Calala and Kingwood which are all within a Kilometer of each other. The noise produced, light pollution, visual conglomeration of an industrial center in the middle of a quiet country area and years of traffic to build 414 containers of vulnerable lithium batteries in a high fire risk area is beyond ridiculous.