Save Our Surroundings Murrumbidgee
Object
Save Our Surroundings Murrumbidgee
Object
Griffith
,
New South Wales
Message
Independent research warns that mega-scale BESS fires exceed firefighting capabilities and have life threatening, poisonous impacts for human beings and biodiversity, while the NSW Government is hastily and irresponsibly approving these dangerously volatile projects without doing their due diligence.
This horrific failure in their duty of care to the people of NSW/Australia - in spite of the catastrophic impacts - just to appease vested interests - is outrageous and must be condemned.
“Safety of Grid Scale Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352158070_Safety_of_Grid_Scale_Lithium-ion_Battery_Energy_Storage_Systems
This horrific failure in their duty of care to the people of NSW/Australia - in spite of the catastrophic impacts - just to appease vested interests - is outrageous and must be condemned.
“Safety of Grid Scale Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352158070_Safety_of_Grid_Scale_Lithium-ion_Battery_Energy_Storage_Systems
Graeme Fretwell
Object
Graeme Fretwell
Object
Mangoplah
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the Threat of the damage and impact that the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project will do to the environment in the vicinity of the site.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery 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 Threat of the damage and impact that the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project will do to the environment in the vicinity of the site.
The community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders are concerned about the environmental impact of not only the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS, substation and access roadway to the BESS site will have on the environment in the immediate area associated with the construction, from soil erosion and runoff into the surrounding creeks and waterways of contaminated water. These waterways are of vital importance not only for the native plants, animals and birdlife around the project area but also for the surrounding landholders, as water is a precious and vital commodity for their livestock.
Of more concern however, is the statement made in the Environmental Impact Assessment that “The construction and operational phases of the Project have the potential to impact biodiversity values through habitat clearance (and associated noise and disturbance) and ongoing existence of infrastructure (which may create barriers to movement and generate noise and disturbance).
Direct impacts include:
• Clearing of 2.00ha of native vegetation
• Direct impacts to 9.56ha of suitable flora and fauna habitat for candidate species
• 40 individuals of the Yass Daisy (assumed present)
• Five Hollow-Bearing Trees (HBTs) to be removed” (p.84, 2025).
With “Indirect impacts are those that are not directly related to clearing of native vegetation. Indirect impacts that contribute to key threatening processes from the proposal include soil and water contamination, spread of colonisation of weeds, reduced habitat connectivity, generation of noise, light and dust pollution.
Potential indirect impacts include:
• Creation of barriers to fauna movement
• Impacts of shading on retained native vegetation.
• Noise and light disturbance in proximity of the Development Footprint during construction and operation
• Invasion of key emerging weeds
• Cumulative loss of breeding habitat and competition for remaining resources
• Potential for soil erosion and water contamination within the Project Site
• Increased risk of fire” (p.84, 2025).
This clearing of native vegetation will include critically endangered ecological community of Blakely’s Red-Yellow Box grassy tall woodland, with Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd., in their ‘Referral’ submission to the EPBC Act, stating “that the area being removed by the Proposed Action is relatively small” (p.33, 2025). But, according to the NSW Legislation Biodiversity Conservation Act, 2016 No.63, states that it “is an offence to remove or damage threatened species”. The community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders find this attitude to the statement of ‘relatively small’ amount of ‘critically endangered ecological community’ of Blakely’s Red Gum disgusting, as these trees could have been in the area for hundreds of years, not to be removed simply to widen an access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, the community feel this is criminal to say the least.
In addition, to the above, the proponents, Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. within their ‘Referral’ submission to the EPBC Act, also identified other vulnerable species flora including, “Spear-grass and Yass Daisy” (p.86, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025) and endangered mammals, including, “Squirrel Glider and Striped legless lizard” (p.87, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025), critically endangered birdlife, such as the “Swift parrot” (cited, p.33, EPBC Act, Mangoplah BESS, Referral, 2025), and the “Barking Owl” (p.87, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025), and vulnerable species including, “Southern Myotis, Golden Sun Moth” (p.87, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025).
Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. in the EIS stated in their ‘Referral’ submission to the EPBC Act, that “during construction and operational phases will have the potential to impact biodiversity values at the site that cannot be avoided via impact minimisation and avoidance measures. These would occur through direct impacts such as habitat clearance and associated noise and disturbance, and ongoing existence of infrastructure which may create barriers to movement” (cited, p.5, EPB Act, Mangoplah BESS, Referral, 2025), Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd., go onto state that “Direct impacts include the following:
. Clearing for construction…
. Habitat loss…
. Injury or mortality of fauna…” (cited, p.5, EPBC Act, Mangoplah BESS, Referral, 2025).
The community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders feel that as stated above by the proponent Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. that with the additional traffic both light and heavy vehicles within and around the proposed Mangoplah BESS, and substation, as well as the additional manpower, machinery for the construction required for the Mangoplah BESS project, will not only add to the noise, and dust in the area associated with the construction of the access roadway, will all interfere with the natural habitat of most if not all of the birds, mammals and wildlife located within the proposed area of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, it will also affect their natural migration through and around the area of Mangoplah, and will also affect their natural breeding program and habitat.
Moreover, to the community and as mentioned above, is the “increased risk of fire”, this is of major concern in the event of one or more of the Tesla Megapack 2XL batteries catching alight, as these Lithium-ion batteries can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire, expelling toxic chemicals and fumes into the atmosphere, these fumes are extremely dangerous to human life, livestock, pasture grasses, crops, waterways and creeks, as stated by the NSWFR “a LiBESS involved in a thermal runaway incident may produce by-products that are hazardous to the environment” (p.7, Fire safety guideline, Technical information, 2023).
Furthermore, the Australian Energy Council Limited in their Battery Energy Storage System Guidance Report 2024, state that “air emissions cannot be contained to the site and can extend to a distance downwind of the site. Thus, this potential for people in the vicinity of a BESS facility fire to be exposed to hazardous gases such as asphyxiants and irritants” (p.16), including hydrogen fluoride, as cited in Elsevier (2011) “is one of the most phytotoxic air pollutants, it goes onto state that “hydrogen fluoride and other fluoride compounds in the atmosphere are deposited to vegetated surfaces either in gaseous form or in the form of particulates. Airbourne gaseous fluorides can also enter directly into the leaf through stomata. Which in turn affects the native vegetation that is so important to the native birds, mammals and wildlife within the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
In addition, the community of Mangoplah feel that the natural waterways that flow through and around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project will be contaminated with soil erosion, these waterways, creeks and dams are of vital importance to the community of Mangoplah but more so to the surrounding landholders, as water is a vital commodity in the area, not only to the landholders for their livestock, but also the environment and the many native birds, animals and wildlife that drink from the dams, but from the creeks that supply them.
Furthermore, the community of Mangoplah feel that if this Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) were to go ahead it would be against the aims, objectives and policies of all levels of government, when it involves the protection to the environment, our small village, it’s residents and the surrounding agricultural farmland.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but more importantly the local environment will be subjected and exposed to this degree of impact, degradation, and 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.
Because of the Threat of the damage and impact that the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project will do to the environment in the vicinity of the site.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery 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 Threat of the damage and impact that the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project will do to the environment in the vicinity of the site.
The community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders are concerned about the environmental impact of not only the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS, substation and access roadway to the BESS site will have on the environment in the immediate area associated with the construction, from soil erosion and runoff into the surrounding creeks and waterways of contaminated water. These waterways are of vital importance not only for the native plants, animals and birdlife around the project area but also for the surrounding landholders, as water is a precious and vital commodity for their livestock.
Of more concern however, is the statement made in the Environmental Impact Assessment that “The construction and operational phases of the Project have the potential to impact biodiversity values through habitat clearance (and associated noise and disturbance) and ongoing existence of infrastructure (which may create barriers to movement and generate noise and disturbance).
Direct impacts include:
• Clearing of 2.00ha of native vegetation
• Direct impacts to 9.56ha of suitable flora and fauna habitat for candidate species
• 40 individuals of the Yass Daisy (assumed present)
• Five Hollow-Bearing Trees (HBTs) to be removed” (p.84, 2025).
With “Indirect impacts are those that are not directly related to clearing of native vegetation. Indirect impacts that contribute to key threatening processes from the proposal include soil and water contamination, spread of colonisation of weeds, reduced habitat connectivity, generation of noise, light and dust pollution.
Potential indirect impacts include:
• Creation of barriers to fauna movement
• Impacts of shading on retained native vegetation.
• Noise and light disturbance in proximity of the Development Footprint during construction and operation
• Invasion of key emerging weeds
• Cumulative loss of breeding habitat and competition for remaining resources
• Potential for soil erosion and water contamination within the Project Site
• Increased risk of fire” (p.84, 2025).
This clearing of native vegetation will include critically endangered ecological community of Blakely’s Red-Yellow Box grassy tall woodland, with Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd., in their ‘Referral’ submission to the EPBC Act, stating “that the area being removed by the Proposed Action is relatively small” (p.33, 2025). But, according to the NSW Legislation Biodiversity Conservation Act, 2016 No.63, states that it “is an offence to remove or damage threatened species”. The community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders find this attitude to the statement of ‘relatively small’ amount of ‘critically endangered ecological community’ of Blakely’s Red Gum disgusting, as these trees could have been in the area for hundreds of years, not to be removed simply to widen an access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, the community feel this is criminal to say the least.
In addition, to the above, the proponents, Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. within their ‘Referral’ submission to the EPBC Act, also identified other vulnerable species flora including, “Spear-grass and Yass Daisy” (p.86, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025) and endangered mammals, including, “Squirrel Glider and Striped legless lizard” (p.87, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025), critically endangered birdlife, such as the “Swift parrot” (cited, p.33, EPBC Act, Mangoplah BESS, Referral, 2025), and the “Barking Owl” (p.87, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025), and vulnerable species including, “Southern Myotis, Golden Sun Moth” (p.87, Mangoplah BESS, EIS, 2025).
Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. in the EIS stated in their ‘Referral’ submission to the EPBC Act, that “during construction and operational phases will have the potential to impact biodiversity values at the site that cannot be avoided via impact minimisation and avoidance measures. These would occur through direct impacts such as habitat clearance and associated noise and disturbance, and ongoing existence of infrastructure which may create barriers to movement” (cited, p.5, EPB Act, Mangoplah BESS, Referral, 2025), Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd., go onto state that “Direct impacts include the following:
. Clearing for construction…
. Habitat loss…
. Injury or mortality of fauna…” (cited, p.5, EPBC Act, Mangoplah BESS, Referral, 2025).
The community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders feel that as stated above by the proponent Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. that with the additional traffic both light and heavy vehicles within and around the proposed Mangoplah BESS, and substation, as well as the additional manpower, machinery for the construction required for the Mangoplah BESS project, will not only add to the noise, and dust in the area associated with the construction of the access roadway, will all interfere with the natural habitat of most if not all of the birds, mammals and wildlife located within the proposed area of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, it will also affect their natural migration through and around the area of Mangoplah, and will also affect their natural breeding program and habitat.
Moreover, to the community and as mentioned above, is the “increased risk of fire”, this is of major concern in the event of one or more of the Tesla Megapack 2XL batteries catching alight, as these Lithium-ion batteries can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire, expelling toxic chemicals and fumes into the atmosphere, these fumes are extremely dangerous to human life, livestock, pasture grasses, crops, waterways and creeks, as stated by the NSWFR “a LiBESS involved in a thermal runaway incident may produce by-products that are hazardous to the environment” (p.7, Fire safety guideline, Technical information, 2023).
Furthermore, the Australian Energy Council Limited in their Battery Energy Storage System Guidance Report 2024, state that “air emissions cannot be contained to the site and can extend to a distance downwind of the site. Thus, this potential for people in the vicinity of a BESS facility fire to be exposed to hazardous gases such as asphyxiants and irritants” (p.16), including hydrogen fluoride, as cited in Elsevier (2011) “is one of the most phytotoxic air pollutants, it goes onto state that “hydrogen fluoride and other fluoride compounds in the atmosphere are deposited to vegetated surfaces either in gaseous form or in the form of particulates. Airbourne gaseous fluorides can also enter directly into the leaf through stomata. Which in turn affects the native vegetation that is so important to the native birds, mammals and wildlife within the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
In addition, the community of Mangoplah feel that the natural waterways that flow through and around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project will be contaminated with soil erosion, these waterways, creeks and dams are of vital importance to the community of Mangoplah but more so to the surrounding landholders, as water is a vital commodity in the area, not only to the landholders for their livestock, but also the environment and the many native birds, animals and wildlife that drink from the dams, but from the creeks that supply them.
Furthermore, the community of Mangoplah feel that if this Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) were to go ahead it would be against the aims, objectives and policies of all levels of government, when it involves the protection to the environment, our small village, it’s residents and the surrounding agricultural farmland.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but more importantly the local environment will be subjected and exposed to this degree of impact, degradation, and 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.
Lorraine Fretwell
Object
Lorraine Fretwell
Object
Mangoplah
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the High risk to the environment from materials and waste from 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. Because of the High risk to the environment from materials and waste from the construction of 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.
The proposed Mangoplah BESS project would generate a range of different waste types including spoil, green waste, packaging, human rubbish and waste, and equipment, which according to Umwelt (Australia) Pty. Limited, in their Environment Impact Statement, 2024, are at risk of “Environmental damage from inadequately stored or managed waste, high volumes of waste from excessive material usage, and improper or incomplete site clean-up” (p.225, Territory Battery). Moreover, they state that loose materials stockpiled on site, such as spoil or green waste could be transported by stormwater or wind into nearby waterways or sensitive vegetation or habitat, which has the potential to impact ecosystems, and the blockage of waterways. In addition, there is also the potential for food scraps from the workers associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, “attracting pests and other animals to the site, leading to a spread of invasive species in the area and impacting the balance of existing ecosystems” (cited, p. 225, Umwelt, Territory Battery EIS, 2024). Furthermore, human waste from workers associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project “could also severely impact water quality of groundwater or surface water bodies, vegetation condition or soil condition if transported off-site by stormwater. Human waste also poses a health and amenity risk to on-site personnel exposed to uncontained waste or odours” (cited, p.225, Umwelt, Territory Battery EIS, 2024).
Moreover, the Mangoplah Environmental Impact Statement states that “The final volumes of waste materials would not be known until the detailed designs are completed and a construction contractor is appointed” (p.222, 2025). The report goes onto further state “Wastes that are likely to be generated from the Project during construction include:
• Vegetation from site clearing – this is expected to be limited to grasses
• Surplus spoil from earthworks required for the Project – excess spoil would be reused onsite to fill in trenches and stabilise cleared areas
• General construction waste e.g. concrete, steel, timber – this is expected to be minimal with quantities of building materials required to be accurately estimated
• Domestic waste materials including plastics, packaging materials, putrescible waste generated by construction personnel
• Chemicals and oils
• Wastewater generated at construction compounds
• Waste from onsite amenities i.e. septic disposal” (p.223, 2025).
This high risk to the environment from materials and waste from the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, is alarming and of major concern if these materials and wastes are transported either by wind or by stormwater runoff into the waterways, and creeks that surround the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, as they will impact on the local environment, the ecosystem and biosecurity of the nearby landholders.
Furthermore, as stated in the Mangoplah Environmental Impact Statement that “The NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 include waste minimisation and management objectives to encourage the most effective use of resources and to reduce environmental harm in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development” (p.220, 2025), with the report further stating “The project’s resource management options would be considered against a hierarchy of the following order:
· Avoidance of unnecessary resource consumption
· Resource recovery (including reuse, reprocessing, recycling and energy recovery)
· Disposal” (p.220, 2025)
This is somewhat contradictory when the Mangoplah Environmental Impact Statement states that “Regional capabilities are highly relevant for ensuring waste reuse options are fully explored. The region has low population density over large distances, which limits waste collection, separation, reuse and recovery options” (p.221, 2025), in other words, how and where are all the materials and waste created during the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going to be safely disposed of in an appropriate manner and location.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is 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.
Because of the High risk to the environment from materials and waste from 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. Because of the High risk to the environment from materials and waste from the construction of 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.
The proposed Mangoplah BESS project would generate a range of different waste types including spoil, green waste, packaging, human rubbish and waste, and equipment, which according to Umwelt (Australia) Pty. Limited, in their Environment Impact Statement, 2024, are at risk of “Environmental damage from inadequately stored or managed waste, high volumes of waste from excessive material usage, and improper or incomplete site clean-up” (p.225, Territory Battery). Moreover, they state that loose materials stockpiled on site, such as spoil or green waste could be transported by stormwater or wind into nearby waterways or sensitive vegetation or habitat, which has the potential to impact ecosystems, and the blockage of waterways. In addition, there is also the potential for food scraps from the workers associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, “attracting pests and other animals to the site, leading to a spread of invasive species in the area and impacting the balance of existing ecosystems” (cited, p. 225, Umwelt, Territory Battery EIS, 2024). Furthermore, human waste from workers associated with the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project “could also severely impact water quality of groundwater or surface water bodies, vegetation condition or soil condition if transported off-site by stormwater. Human waste also poses a health and amenity risk to on-site personnel exposed to uncontained waste or odours” (cited, p.225, Umwelt, Territory Battery EIS, 2024).
Moreover, the Mangoplah Environmental Impact Statement states that “The final volumes of waste materials would not be known until the detailed designs are completed and a construction contractor is appointed” (p.222, 2025). The report goes onto further state “Wastes that are likely to be generated from the Project during construction include:
• Vegetation from site clearing – this is expected to be limited to grasses
• Surplus spoil from earthworks required for the Project – excess spoil would be reused onsite to fill in trenches and stabilise cleared areas
• General construction waste e.g. concrete, steel, timber – this is expected to be minimal with quantities of building materials required to be accurately estimated
• Domestic waste materials including plastics, packaging materials, putrescible waste generated by construction personnel
• Chemicals and oils
• Wastewater generated at construction compounds
• Waste from onsite amenities i.e. septic disposal” (p.223, 2025).
This high risk to the environment from materials and waste from the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, is alarming and of major concern if these materials and wastes are transported either by wind or by stormwater runoff into the waterways, and creeks that surround the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, as they will impact on the local environment, the ecosystem and biosecurity of the nearby landholders.
Furthermore, as stated in the Mangoplah Environmental Impact Statement that “The NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 include waste minimisation and management objectives to encourage the most effective use of resources and to reduce environmental harm in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development” (p.220, 2025), with the report further stating “The project’s resource management options would be considered against a hierarchy of the following order:
· Avoidance of unnecessary resource consumption
· Resource recovery (including reuse, reprocessing, recycling and energy recovery)
· Disposal” (p.220, 2025)
This is somewhat contradictory when the Mangoplah Environmental Impact Statement states that “Regional capabilities are highly relevant for ensuring waste reuse options are fully explored. The region has low population density over large distances, which limits waste collection, separation, reuse and recovery options” (p.221, 2025), in other words, how and where are all the materials and waste created during the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going to be safely disposed of in an appropriate manner and location.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is 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.
Hannah Baker
Object
Hannah Baker
Object
The Rock
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735
I am writing to formally object to the proposed Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) submitted by Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty Ltd, to be located at 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
My objection is grounded in the significant and unacceptable risks that the construction and operation of this project pose to native fauna and their habitats within and surrounding the proposed development area.
________________________________________
1. Threat to Native Fauna and Habitat Integrity
The site falls within a landscape that supports a diverse range of native species, many of which depend on the area’s remnant vegetation, groundcover, and connectivity to broader habitat corridors. Construction activities—including vegetation clearing, earthworks, road construction, heavy machinery use, and increased human activity—will:
• Remove and fragment habitat used by resident and migratory fauna
• Disrupt nesting, roosting, denning, and feeding behaviour
• Increase mortality risk from machinery, traffic, and noise
• Introduce artificial lighting that disturbs nocturnal species
• Potentially degrade water runoff patterns, impacting amphibians and riparian fauna
Such impacts can have long-term and irreversible consequences, particularly for species with limited home ranges or specific ecological requirements.
________________________________________
2. Risk to Threatened or Vulnerable Species
The region surrounding Mangoplah is known to support several fauna species listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) and potentially the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), including but not limited to:
• Several declining woodland bird species (e.g., Superb Parrot, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail)
• Microbat species that rely on tree hollows and undisturbed roosting areas
• Reptile species vulnerable to habitat disturbance and ground vibration
• Potentially threatened small mammals that use native grasslands and woodland understories
If vegetation clearing or construction disrupts such species, there is a risk of breaching obligations under both the BC Act and the EPBC Act, which require that developments avoid causing significant impacts to listed species and ecological communities.
________________________________________
3. Habitat Fragmentation and Loss of Connectivity
The proposed development location forms part of an important ecological corridor for movement between remnant woodland patches. Construction of a large-scale industrial facility such as the BESS will:
• Create physical barriers to wildlife movement
• Reduce the availability of foraging and shelter resources
• Increase wildlife exposure to predators and road hazards
• Exacerbate existing fragmentation in an already heavily cleared agricultural landscape
These impacts are inconsistent with the NSW Government’s goals of conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological connectivity in rural environments.
________________________________________
4. Lack of Demonstrated Environmental Safeguards
Based on available information, it is unclear whether the proponent has provided adequate consideration for:
• Fauna passage and habitat connectivity
• Seasonal breeding surveys
• Nocturnal species assessments
• Long-term monitoring or adaptive management strategies
• Cumulative impacts from other regional energy developments
A precautionary approach must be applied, especially where uncertainty exists regarding threatened species.
________________________________________
5. Request for Rejection of the Proposal
Given the high ecological sensitivity of the area, the likelihood of harm to native fauna, and the insufficient evidence of robust mitigation measures, I strongly urge the approval authorities to reject the Mangoplah BESS project in its current form.
If the proposal is to be reconsidered, a comprehensive independent ecological assessment should be required, including full seasonal surveys, habitat viability analysis, a cumulative impacts assessment, and clear demonstration of compliance with both NSW and Commonwealth biodiversity legislation.
________________________________________
Conclusion
It deeply affects and concerns me, having had a long association with Mangoplah, growing up and attending primary school in Mangoplah and still having family living in the village of Mangoplah, that a rural community like Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but more importantly the local environment will be subjected and exposed to this degree of impact, degradation, and risk of having the proposed Mangoplah BESS project built within close proximity to the village of Mangoplah and productive farming and grazing land.
I am writing to formally object to the proposed Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) submitted by Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty Ltd, to be located at 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
My objection is grounded in the significant and unacceptable risks that the construction and operation of this project pose to native fauna and their habitats within and surrounding the proposed development area.
________________________________________
1. Threat to Native Fauna and Habitat Integrity
The site falls within a landscape that supports a diverse range of native species, many of which depend on the area’s remnant vegetation, groundcover, and connectivity to broader habitat corridors. Construction activities—including vegetation clearing, earthworks, road construction, heavy machinery use, and increased human activity—will:
• Remove and fragment habitat used by resident and migratory fauna
• Disrupt nesting, roosting, denning, and feeding behaviour
• Increase mortality risk from machinery, traffic, and noise
• Introduce artificial lighting that disturbs nocturnal species
• Potentially degrade water runoff patterns, impacting amphibians and riparian fauna
Such impacts can have long-term and irreversible consequences, particularly for species with limited home ranges or specific ecological requirements.
________________________________________
2. Risk to Threatened or Vulnerable Species
The region surrounding Mangoplah is known to support several fauna species listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) and potentially the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), including but not limited to:
• Several declining woodland bird species (e.g., Superb Parrot, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail)
• Microbat species that rely on tree hollows and undisturbed roosting areas
• Reptile species vulnerable to habitat disturbance and ground vibration
• Potentially threatened small mammals that use native grasslands and woodland understories
If vegetation clearing or construction disrupts such species, there is a risk of breaching obligations under both the BC Act and the EPBC Act, which require that developments avoid causing significant impacts to listed species and ecological communities.
________________________________________
3. Habitat Fragmentation and Loss of Connectivity
The proposed development location forms part of an important ecological corridor for movement between remnant woodland patches. Construction of a large-scale industrial facility such as the BESS will:
• Create physical barriers to wildlife movement
• Reduce the availability of foraging and shelter resources
• Increase wildlife exposure to predators and road hazards
• Exacerbate existing fragmentation in an already heavily cleared agricultural landscape
These impacts are inconsistent with the NSW Government’s goals of conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological connectivity in rural environments.
________________________________________
4. Lack of Demonstrated Environmental Safeguards
Based on available information, it is unclear whether the proponent has provided adequate consideration for:
• Fauna passage and habitat connectivity
• Seasonal breeding surveys
• Nocturnal species assessments
• Long-term monitoring or adaptive management strategies
• Cumulative impacts from other regional energy developments
A precautionary approach must be applied, especially where uncertainty exists regarding threatened species.
________________________________________
5. Request for Rejection of the Proposal
Given the high ecological sensitivity of the area, the likelihood of harm to native fauna, and the insufficient evidence of robust mitigation measures, I strongly urge the approval authorities to reject the Mangoplah BESS project in its current form.
If the proposal is to be reconsidered, a comprehensive independent ecological assessment should be required, including full seasonal surveys, habitat viability analysis, a cumulative impacts assessment, and clear demonstration of compliance with both NSW and Commonwealth biodiversity legislation.
________________________________________
Conclusion
It deeply affects and concerns me, having had a long association with Mangoplah, growing up and attending primary school in Mangoplah and still having family living in the village of Mangoplah, that a rural community like Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but more importantly the local environment will be subjected and exposed to this degree of impact, degradation, and risk of having the proposed Mangoplah BESS project built within close proximity to the village of Mangoplah and productive farming and grazing land.
Charles Quinnell
Object
Charles Quinnell
Object
MANGOPLAH
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the Increased heavy haulage vehicles associated with the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook Road.
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 vehicles associated with the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook 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.
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, 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), is of major concern as the local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair and with the additional heavy haulage vehicles travelling along the Holbrook Road will only exacerbate the Holbrook Road 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.
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).
There has been a lack of consultation by Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd regarding the roadworks in the vicinity of the entrance to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, along the Holbrook Road, approximately 3km south of the village of Mangoplah. It is noted in the Mangoplah BESS Environmental Impact Statement that there will be extensive road works needed to be carried out, including the widening of the Holbrook Road in the vicinity of the entrance of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, my question is, will this widening occur at the same time as the construction work of the internal roadwork to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, as this will only add to the further congestion and traffic problems in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project entrance site, but more importantly, who will be paying for this work to be carried out, will it be Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. or will it be the local Wagga Wagga City Council, or more so, the local rate payers.
I feel this increase in heavy haulage vehicles 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 the Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in death, is of major concern as the local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair, 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, 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).
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, with the roads being in further disrepair. 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.
Because of the Increased heavy haulage vehicles associated with the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook Road.
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 vehicles associated with the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook 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.
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, 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), is of major concern as the local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair and with the additional heavy haulage vehicles travelling along the Holbrook Road will only exacerbate the Holbrook Road 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.
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).
There has been a lack of consultation by Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd regarding the roadworks in the vicinity of the entrance to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, along the Holbrook Road, approximately 3km south of the village of Mangoplah. It is noted in the Mangoplah BESS Environmental Impact Statement that there will be extensive road works needed to be carried out, including the widening of the Holbrook Road in the vicinity of the entrance of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, my question is, will this widening occur at the same time as the construction work of the internal roadwork to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, as this will only add to the further congestion and traffic problems in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project entrance site, but more importantly, who will be paying for this work to be carried out, will it be Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. or will it be the local Wagga Wagga City Council, or more so, the local rate payers.
I feel this increase in heavy haulage vehicles 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 the Holbrook Road and through Mangoplah on a daily basis, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in death, is of major concern as the local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair, 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, 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).
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, with the roads being in further disrepair. 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.
Elana Quinnell
Object
Elana Quinnell
Object
MANGOPLAH
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the Increased risk of flooding along the Holbrook Road due to changes in the water flow with construction of the new roadway 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 flooding along the Holbrook Road due to changes in the water flow with construction of the new 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.
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 the Holbrook Road, as this section of the Holbrook Road between the entrance of the proposed Mangoplah BESS site at 4178 Holbrook Road and 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 Draft copy of the Traffic Impact Assessment by Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction, a report submitted by Fyfe Pty. Ltd., 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 the Holbrook 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.
Because of the Increased risk of flooding along the Holbrook Road due to changes in the water flow with construction of the new roadway 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 flooding along the Holbrook Road due to changes in the water flow with construction of the new 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.
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 the Holbrook Road, as this section of the Holbrook Road between the entrance of the proposed Mangoplah BESS site at 4178 Holbrook Road and 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 Draft copy of the Traffic Impact Assessment by Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction, a report submitted by Fyfe Pty. Ltd., 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 the Holbrook 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.
Steven Mann
Object
Steven Mann
Object
MANGOPLAH
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the Increased volume of traffic from workers associated the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook Road.
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 volume of traffic from workers associated the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook 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.
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. Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction state in their report that “It is anticipated that during peak construction the Project could generate up to 120 light… vehicle trips per day” (n.p., Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025), with Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction going on to further state that during peak construction the number of light vehicles going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road during peak hours would be 60 light vehicles per hour (p.24, Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025).
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). With the additional heavy volume of traffic from workers required during construction of 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 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.
Because of the Increased volume of traffic from workers associated the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook Road.
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 volume of traffic from workers associated the proposed Mangoplah BESS project going along the Holbrook 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.
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. Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction state in their report that “It is anticipated that during peak construction the Project could generate up to 120 light… vehicle trips per day” (n.p., Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025), with Amber Traffic & Transportation Direction going on to further state that during peak construction the number of light vehicles going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road during peak hours would be 60 light vehicles per hour (p.24, Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025).
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). With the additional heavy volume of traffic from workers required during construction of 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 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.
Russell Menzies
Object
Russell Menzies
Object
MANGOPLAH
,
New South Wales
Message
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.
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.
Max Liescheke
Object
Max Liescheke
Object
Maxwell
,
New South Wales
Message
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.
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.
Jane Lieschke
Object
Jane Lieschke
Object
MAXWELL
,
New South Wales
Message
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.
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.