Brian Langfield
Object
Brian Langfield
Object
Florey
,
Australian Capital Territory
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System - SSD-77527735.
Because of the Extreme risk to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, affecting their health from exposure to toxic fumes from lithium-ion batteries fire at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
It is well noted that lithium-ion battery fire produces toxic and dangerous chemicals, such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can result in numerous health problems from respiratory problems, causing damage to the lungs, including pulmonary oedema, also damage to the nervous system, which can be debilitating well into the future (Vamosi, n.d.).
It was recommended in the Territory Battery Energy Storage System (TBESS), located near Belconnen, in the ACT, that all residents within a “20km distance shall be notified to shelter in the event of a BESS fire” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), it goes onto state that if exposed to “concentrations of hazardous airborne chemicals for one hour, most people will begin to experience health effects if exposed to these chemicals” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore, Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “mild health effects could be experienced by people within…10.5 km of the fire” (p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), with Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants going on to state that “the severe case would occur when a battery fire is exposed to water, e.g. from rain or during fire-fighting…HF gas would be dispersed up to 33% further…”(p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Additionally, these hazardous airborne chemicals can travel further in adverse windy weather conditions, as a result the evacuation, shelter notification area will need to be increased (Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, 2024).
Notifying residents within the village of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders would be extremely difficult, as the question being firstly how the Rural Fire Service members are notified of these toxic chemicals leaching into the atmosphere, then the question is how does everyone get notified within the recommended time. In addition, around the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, there is poor mobile reception, as well as ‘black spots’, which will add to the inability for residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders to be notified in the appropriate time frame.
It is of major concern in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire occurring within the BESS, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding area, resulting in major health problems including damage to the lungs and nervous systems. These fires also have the potential threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, as my family have been in the district for decades, with my brother, his wife and son farming in close proximity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please respect the risk to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding district. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.
Because of the Extreme risk to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, affecting their health from exposure to toxic fumes from lithium-ion batteries fire at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
It is well noted that lithium-ion battery fire produces toxic and dangerous chemicals, such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can result in numerous health problems from respiratory problems, causing damage to the lungs, including pulmonary oedema, also damage to the nervous system, which can be debilitating well into the future (Vamosi, n.d.).
It was recommended in the Territory Battery Energy Storage System (TBESS), located near Belconnen, in the ACT, that all residents within a “20km distance shall be notified to shelter in the event of a BESS fire” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), it goes onto state that if exposed to “concentrations of hazardous airborne chemicals for one hour, most people will begin to experience health effects if exposed to these chemicals” (Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore, Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “mild health effects could be experienced by people within…10.5 km of the fire” (p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024), with Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants going on to state that “the severe case would occur when a battery fire is exposed to water, e.g. from rain or during fire-fighting…HF gas would be dispersed up to 33% further…”(p.258, Neon Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Additionally, these hazardous airborne chemicals can travel further in adverse windy weather conditions, as a result the evacuation, shelter notification area will need to be increased (Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, 2024).
Notifying residents within the village of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders would be extremely difficult, as the question being firstly how the Rural Fire Service members are notified of these toxic chemicals leaching into the atmosphere, then the question is how does everyone get notified within the recommended time. In addition, around the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, there is poor mobile reception, as well as ‘black spots’, which will add to the inability for residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders to be notified in the appropriate time frame.
It is of major concern in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire occurring within the BESS, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding area, resulting in major health problems including damage to the lungs and nervous systems. These fires also have the potential threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, as my family have been in the district for decades, with my brother, his wife and son farming in close proximity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please respect the risk to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding district. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.
Karen Heinecke
Object
Karen Heinecke
Object
Tumbarumba
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the Very high risk of hazardous toxic plumes from a fire that may occur within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project and resulting in health and environmental damage.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
As stated by Lote Consulting, Fire Safety Security, 2022, in their report cited in Neoen, Territory Battery stated, “There have been several recent fires at BESS projects around Australia with associated dispersion of potentially toxic gases” (p.7) and the potential impact on sensitive receptors. Lote Consulting, Fire Safety Security, 2022, mentioned within the report that these toxic gases included, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Fluorine Gases, which are released during a BESS fire, trapping heat in the atmosphere and can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, poor air quality, posing risks to human health and local ecosystems, destroying the native flora and fauna not only in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site but also to the nearby Livingston State Forest, moreover, these toxic gases have the ability to add to the overall warming of the planet and exacerbating climate change.
Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, state that in the event of “toxic chemicals/fumes being released”, the risk is rated as high (p. 251, Neoen, Territory Battery, 2024). Moreover, according to the NSW Department of Planning, these hazardous “toxic substances can affect people in many different ways and the seriousness of the exposure will be highly dependent on the sensitivity of the individual and on the duration of the exposure” (p.16, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011). As stated by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, Neoen, Territory Battery EIS report, that “most people will begin to experience health effect if exposed to the chemicals for one hour” (p.277). Additionally, Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, in the Neoen, Territory Battery EIS Report have recommended that the residents “from the source to a distance of 20 km shall be notified to shelter inside in the event of a BESS fire” (p. 1054). Even more concerning by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, is the increased Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) produced, the “larger impact distances should be considered…” (p.1053). More disturbing as stated by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited in the Neoen, Territory Battery EIS, “under less stable weather conditions, people within 247 metres of the fire could be exposed to fatal concentrations of Hydrogen Floride (HF) gas if exposed for one hour” (p.258).
Moreover, the NSW Department of Planning state that a hazard “is anything or situation with a potential for causing damage to people, property or the biophysical environment” (p.6, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011). Furthermore, they describe risk, as “the likelihood of a defined adverse outcome…risk of fatality, injury or environmental damage” (p.6, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011).
It is of major concern that the residents of the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders will be at a very high risk of exposure to hazardous toxic plumes in the event of a fire that may occur at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah, especially the farmers in the surrounding area with the toxic fumes from a lithium-ion battery fire affecting their soil, crops, and pasture grasses, resulting in loss of income for farmers, but the hazardous toxic plumes can also have a devastating impact on the ecosystem surrounding the area of Mangoplah.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, where I lived as a child and still have my parents and brother in close vicinity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk of having the proposed Mangoplah BESS project built within close proximity to the village of Mangoplah but also very close to productive farming and grazing land. Additionally, the change of land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the environment, the cost to the Mangoplah community and surrounding farming families, many of whom have been here for generations, working hard to keep the area going, do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.
Because of the Very high risk of hazardous toxic plumes from a fire that may occur within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project and resulting in health and environmental damage.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
As stated by Lote Consulting, Fire Safety Security, 2022, in their report cited in Neoen, Territory Battery stated, “There have been several recent fires at BESS projects around Australia with associated dispersion of potentially toxic gases” (p.7) and the potential impact on sensitive receptors. Lote Consulting, Fire Safety Security, 2022, mentioned within the report that these toxic gases included, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Fluorine Gases, which are released during a BESS fire, trapping heat in the atmosphere and can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, poor air quality, posing risks to human health and local ecosystems, destroying the native flora and fauna not only in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site but also to the nearby Livingston State Forest, moreover, these toxic gases have the ability to add to the overall warming of the planet and exacerbating climate change.
Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, state that in the event of “toxic chemicals/fumes being released”, the risk is rated as high (p. 251, Neoen, Territory Battery, 2024). Moreover, according to the NSW Department of Planning, these hazardous “toxic substances can affect people in many different ways and the seriousness of the exposure will be highly dependent on the sensitivity of the individual and on the duration of the exposure” (p.16, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011). As stated by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, Neoen, Territory Battery EIS report, that “most people will begin to experience health effect if exposed to the chemicals for one hour” (p.277). Additionally, Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, in the Neoen, Territory Battery EIS Report have recommended that the residents “from the source to a distance of 20 km shall be notified to shelter inside in the event of a BESS fire” (p. 1054). Even more concerning by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited, is the increased Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) produced, the “larger impact distances should be considered…” (p.1053). More disturbing as stated by Umwelt Australia Pty. Limited in the Neoen, Territory Battery EIS, “under less stable weather conditions, people within 247 metres of the fire could be exposed to fatal concentrations of Hydrogen Floride (HF) gas if exposed for one hour” (p.258).
Moreover, the NSW Department of Planning state that a hazard “is anything or situation with a potential for causing damage to people, property or the biophysical environment” (p.6, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011). Furthermore, they describe risk, as “the likelihood of a defined adverse outcome…risk of fatality, injury or environmental damage” (p.6, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory, Paper 6, 2011).
It is of major concern that the residents of the village of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders will be at a very high risk of exposure to hazardous toxic plumes in the event of a fire that may occur at the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, which can be life changing for everyone in the village of Mangoplah, especially the farmers in the surrounding area with the toxic fumes from a lithium-ion battery fire affecting their soil, crops, and pasture grasses, resulting in loss of income for farmers, but the hazardous toxic plumes can also have a devastating impact on the ecosystem surrounding the area of Mangoplah.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah, where I lived as a child and still have my parents and brother in close vicinity to the proposed Mangoplah BESS and substation site, are being exposed to this degree of risk of having the proposed Mangoplah BESS project built within close proximity to the village of Mangoplah but also very close to productive farming and grazing land. Additionally, the change of land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the environment, the cost to the Mangoplah community and surrounding farming families, many of whom have been here for generations, working hard to keep the area going, do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.
Joshua O'Donnell
Object
Joshua O'Donnell
Object
Mangoplah
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of The extreme risk of a bushfire occurring in the vicinity of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The extreme risk of a bushfire occurring in the vicinity of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
According to Australia Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024, “Bushfire risk is defined as the chance of a bushfire occurring that will have harmful consequences to human communities and the environment” (p.19). They go onto say that “Risk has two elements: likelihood, the chances of a bushfire occurring and consequence, the impact of a bushfire when it occurs” (p.19). Most of the bushfires that occur within the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding farmlands, is the result of lightning strikes, moreover, are the prevailing adverse fire weather conditions, such as strong winds. Further exacerbating the risk of migration of a bushfire according to Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024, is “a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed” (p.19), as a result a bushfire within the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site will be exposed and “has the potential to rapidly travel across the landscape…over-running the BESS site” (Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024).
Moreover, according to the NSW Government, under Part 4 Bush fire Prevention, Division 1, Section 63, Duty to prevent bush fires, “it is the duty of the owner, or occupier of land to take the notified steps (if any) and any other practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of bush fires on, and to minimise the danger of the spread of bush fires on or from, that land” (2025).
This is of major concern to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025 which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas, the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres.
Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
Moreover, as stated by Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “The BESS proposal is classified as ‘industrial’ development and…therefore, the default position for providing protection for ‘industrial’ development located in a bushfire prone area is to provide a defendable space (Asset Protection Zone) wide enough to prevent flame contact on the structure, or in the case of the BESS, the cabinets housing the battery packs and the electrical equipment in the Substation” (p.24, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
Furthermore, as stated by Cool Burn Pty. Ltd., “BESS developments are not specifically considered” in the NSW RFS Planning for Bush Fire Protection,(PBFP) 2019, “however, the energy storage would be considered as a ‘hazardous industry’”(p.15, Yanco Battery Energy Storage System, EIS, 2024). With the NSW RFS (PBFP), 2019 stating that, “some developments are considered by their very nature to be hazardous, as much for their ability to start bushfires as their susceptibility to bushfire impacts. New developments of this nature should be avoided on Bushfire Prone Land (BFPL)” (p.79).
In addition, as stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the DBESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.
With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).
Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 Degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).
Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.
Because of The extreme risk of a bushfire occurring in the vicinity of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The extreme risk of a bushfire occurring in the vicinity of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
According to Australia Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024, “Bushfire risk is defined as the chance of a bushfire occurring that will have harmful consequences to human communities and the environment” (p.19). They go onto say that “Risk has two elements: likelihood, the chances of a bushfire occurring and consequence, the impact of a bushfire when it occurs” (p.19). Most of the bushfires that occur within the area of Mangoplah and the surrounding farmlands, is the result of lightning strikes, moreover, are the prevailing adverse fire weather conditions, such as strong winds. Further exacerbating the risk of migration of a bushfire according to Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024, is “a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed” (p.19), as a result a bushfire within the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site will be exposed and “has the potential to rapidly travel across the landscape…over-running the BESS site” (Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, 2024).
Moreover, according to the NSW Government, under Part 4 Bush fire Prevention, Division 1, Section 63, Duty to prevent bush fires, “it is the duty of the owner, or occupier of land to take the notified steps (if any) and any other practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of bush fires on, and to minimise the danger of the spread of bush fires on or from, that land” (2025).
This is of major concern to the residents of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025 which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas, the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres.
Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
Moreover, as stated by Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “The BESS proposal is classified as ‘industrial’ development and…therefore, the default position for providing protection for ‘industrial’ development located in a bushfire prone area is to provide a defendable space (Asset Protection Zone) wide enough to prevent flame contact on the structure, or in the case of the BESS, the cabinets housing the battery packs and the electrical equipment in the Substation” (p.24, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
Furthermore, as stated by Cool Burn Pty. Ltd., “BESS developments are not specifically considered” in the NSW RFS Planning for Bush Fire Protection,(PBFP) 2019, “however, the energy storage would be considered as a ‘hazardous industry’”(p.15, Yanco Battery Energy Storage System, EIS, 2024). With the NSW RFS (PBFP), 2019 stating that, “some developments are considered by their very nature to be hazardous, as much for their ability to start bushfires as their susceptibility to bushfire impacts. New developments of this nature should be avoided on Bushfire Prone Land (BFPL)” (p.79).
In addition, as stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the DBESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.
With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).
Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 Degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).
Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.
Hayden Roache
Object
Hayden Roache
Object
Burrandana
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
The site of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia (SLR) for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment”(p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), along with an additional 30 metres required from the edge of vegetation. These inconsistencies with the required Asset Protection Zones are of major concern and need to be addressed and made uniform and become part of the Policies and/or Standards for all Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites across Australia, especially those in New South Wales and in High Fire Prone Areas.
Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
As stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the Mangoplah BESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.
Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023.
Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).
The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.
Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).
Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire, but also the treat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock, but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event that a bushfire would over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.
Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The increased risk of fire embers travelling up to 40km ahead of the fire front on hot dry windy weather conditions during construction of the Substation, adjacent to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
The site of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation Category 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, whereas the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report states that there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia (SLR) for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment”(p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), along with an additional 30 metres required from the edge of vegetation. These inconsistencies with the required Asset Protection Zones are of major concern and need to be addressed and made uniform and become part of the Policies and/or Standards for all Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites across Australia, especially those in New South Wales and in High Fire Prone Areas.
Furthermore, there should be a 100 meter Buffer Zone around the entire Mangoplah BESS project site, because of the close proximity to “hazardous woodland vegetation”, as per photos iii and vi (p.27, Ember Bushfire Consulting, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
As stated by Ember Bushfire Consulting, “Bushfire protection measures generally serve a dual purpose: protecting the site from external fire threats, containing fire within the site should it occur, and stopping it from escaping onto adjoining lands” (p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025). Moreover, Ember Bushfire Consulting state that “Given the heat-sensitive nature of the Mangoplah BESS substation and associated infrastructure, larger APZ and setback dimensions are recommended than those prescribed…”(p.32, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions, and with the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024), it is a period of non-complacency, a period in which landholders are alert to the dangerous weather conditions. Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). Moreover, as stated in the Mangoplah BESS Bushfire Assessment Report that the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is rated at 80, (p.19, Ember Consulting Pty. Ltd., 2025), which according to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System is classified as “Extreme” stating to “Take action now to protect life and property” “Fire will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous”.
Furthermore, “during a fire, embers can travel up to 40 kilometres ahead of a fire front…starting spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023.
Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).
The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.
Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).
Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire, but also the treat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock, but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks, in the event that a bushfire would over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community – their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead.
Jes Priestley
Object
Jes Priestley
Object
The Rock
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the construction of the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the construction of the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
There will be an unacceptable increase volume in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, according to Amber Traffic & Transportation Report state that “the construction traffic volumes for the Project”… “It is anticipated that during peak construction of the Project would generate up to…64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p.23, Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025), to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is of major concern. The local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair. The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, they state that “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p. 1-2). Additionally, the NSW Government state the “Development involving the use of heavy vehicles should take note of the requirements stipulated in” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), The Heavy Vehicle National Law, “in relation to transport related matters such as managing the impact of heavy vehicles on road infrastructure…” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024).
Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p. 3-8, NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially during busy farming periods, such as harvesting, when surrounding farmers are travelling along the Holbrook Road in tractors, trucks and headers, with very little room to pull over safely to allow oncoming traffic past due to how narrow and how busy the Holbrook Road can be. The community of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders are concerned about the roads in the area of influence, with the current movement, place function and the current access, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, will impact greatly upon the farmers during these busy farming periods as a result of the development. I feel this increase in heavy haulage vehicles will add to the increased risks and safety concerns not only for the residents of Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but also the usual traffic that travel through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.
It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger because of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.
Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the construction of the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
I am writing to formally express my objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of the Increased heavy haulage traffic associated with the construction of the access roadway to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
The site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land – to me it is not a place to build such a project.
There will be an unacceptable increase volume in traffic and congestion going through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, according to Amber Traffic & Transportation Report state that “the construction traffic volumes for the Project”… “It is anticipated that during peak construction of the Project would generate up to…64 heavy vehicle trips per day” (p.23, Traffic Impact Assessment, 2025), to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, is of major concern. The local roads are already in poor condition, requiring constant repair. The NSW Government in their Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024, they state that “Local councils and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are responsible for the safe and efficient management of transport networks” (p. 1-2). They go onto say that “Land use developments generate trips that may impact the surrounding transport network, its users, and the surrounding community” (p. 1-2). Additionally, the NSW Government state the “Development involving the use of heavy vehicles should take note of the requirements stipulated in” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), The Heavy Vehicle National Law, “in relation to transport related matters such as managing the impact of heavy vehicles on road infrastructure…” (p.2-4, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024).
Furthermore, there has been no consideration for “A thorough understanding of the existing…condition allows for the robust transport impact assessment of a proposed development” (p. 3-8, NSW Government, Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, 2024), especially during busy farming periods, such as harvesting, when surrounding farmers are travelling along the Holbrook Road in tractors, trucks and headers, with very little room to pull over safely to allow oncoming traffic past due to how narrow and how busy the Holbrook Road can be. The community of Mangoplah and surrounding landholders are concerned about the roads in the area of influence, with the current movement, place function and the current access, to the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, will impact greatly upon the farmers during these busy farming periods as a result of the development. I feel this increase in heavy haulage vehicles will add to the increased risks and safety concerns not only for the residents of Mangoplah, the surrounding landholders, but also the usual traffic that travel through Mangoplah and along the Holbrook Road on a daily basis, as according to Google maps is the best way to travel from Wagga Wagga to Albury is along the Holbrook Road, stating it is approximately 129km and will take 1hr 32min, moreover, according to a Trans Traffic Survey of the Holbrook Road, reported that over 1,000 vehicles travelled along the road, on a daily basis, with these vehicles notoriously travelling with speeds between 100 km and 109 km per hour along the section of road in the vicinity of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site (cited in Traffic Impact Assessment, Amber, Traffic & Transportation Direction, 2025). Moreover, there have been numerous traffic incidents along the Holbrook Road over the years from minor to serious, resulting in deaths.
It deeply concerns and affects me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being put at risk and danger because of this increase in traffic in the area, during construction of the access road to the project and the BESS project itself. This change in the land use from farming to industrial I feel will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting and lifestyle. I take it upon you to consider the cost to the Mangoplah community and how this project will affect them in the future, as many of the local community members have been in the district for generations and do not want the proposed Mangoplah BESS project to go ahead.
James Creasy
Object
James Creasy
Object
Mangoplah
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.
Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
The proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, where as the Mangoplah BESS EIS Reports, states there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment” (p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions. With the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (cited p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024). Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria).
As noted by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “burning embers (burning twigs, leaves and debris) can travel up to 40 km ahead of a fire front, starting fires and damaging equipment well before any flames reach the Proposed area. Ember attack poses an additional fire risk to the Proposal, as embers could fall into small openings in equipment housing and ignite internal elements” (p.253, cited in Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore according to Vic Emergency these fire fronts start “spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).
More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.
Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).
More concerning to the community and in particular the surrounding landholders in the event that a bushfire should over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is not only the fire effecting their property, but also the toxic fumes, that will not only affect human health, but also their livestock, crops, soil and water supply. Moreover, is the fact that these landholders will only be covered for the fire damage to their properties and their livelihoods, not the result of the toxic fumes that will damage and destroy their livelihoods for many years to come, as the companies, such as Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd. are only liable for damage as the result of a fault or incident that has occurred within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, not as a result of a natural occurrence such as a bushfire, which will be devastating to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as they will loose income, the ability to pay bills, and the value of their land will decrease dramatically, not to mention their general and mental health, which will change significantly.
Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (cited p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).
Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, especially during periods of hot dry, windy conditions, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire in the surrounding area, but the threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting, lifestyle, property values and insurance. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community, their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead. To me it is not a place to build such a project.
Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
I am writing to formally express my objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed by Samsung C & T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd., to be located within the property on 4178 Holbrook Road, Mangoplah. Because of The increased risk of bushfire over-running the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site.
The proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is within close vicinity to the village of Mangoplah and is surrounded by agricultural and grazing land and is classified as being in a ‘High Fire Prone Area’, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service, in addition the area around the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is classified as being Category 1 and 3 vegetation, as stated by Ember consulting Pty. Ltd. (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), with “Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bushfires…” and “Vegetation 3 is regarded as a medium vegetation…” (p.19, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025), which according to the NSW Rural Fire Service requires a buffer zone of 30 metres, where as the Mangoplah BESS EIS Reports, states there will be an Asset Protection Zone of only 11 metres, while in a report by SLR Consulting Australia for the Jindera BESS recommends a APZ of “30 metres from nearest BESS Site equipment” (p.26, Appendix J, Bushfire Assessment Report, 2025).
With the majority bushfires in the area typically ignited by lightning strikes and sparks from power lines during hot windy conditions. With the bushfire season generally runs from October to March, depending on seasonal conditions (cited p.126, Deniliquin BESS, 2024). Moreover, according to Vic Emergency “Bushfires and grassfires start quickly, often without warning and they can threaten lives and properties within minutes”, with them going onto say that “grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires – grass is the most predominant fuel type in Australia. It ignites very quickly, burns rapidly and can travel at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour”(Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria).
As noted by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants state that “burning embers (burning twigs, leaves and debris) can travel up to 40 km ahead of a fire front, starting fires and damaging equipment well before any flames reach the Proposed area. Ember attack poses an additional fire risk to the Proposal, as embers could fall into small openings in equipment housing and ignite internal elements” (p.253, cited in Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024). Furthermore according to Vic Emergency these fire fronts start “spot fires well ahead of the fire-front-often without warning” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.).
More concerning however is the fact that “Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius and radiant heat fluxes high enough to vaporise vegetation, only adding speed to the scorching hot flames…so fires can spread and become out of control quickly” (Facts of Fire/Emergency Victoria, n.d.). In addition, according to the Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, “a dangerous and damaging fire has the potential to occur when the following conditions prevail: continuous available fuel…exposure of vulnerable assets…a combination of weather conditions that generate a…grass fire danger index of Very High or greater…a fire in the landscape which is not effectively suppressed”(p. 20, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023). As a result of these hot dry windy conditions, it is possible that a bushfire has the ability to, and is “likely to impact on the BESS site…and the “fire is likely to over-run the site” (p. 20, Australian Bushfire Protection Planners Pty. Limited, Bushfire Risk Assessment Report, TBESS, 2023).
The NSW Rural Fire Service, also states that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site is located within a Priority 2 area, which prioritizes firefighter safety, then people, then property, then the environment, and finally restoring normality. This means that when responding to an incident, the safety of firefighters is paramount, followed by the protection of human life, and then the protection of structures and other assets.
Furthermore, in the Bushfire Assessment Report, for Mangoplah BESS, it states that “it is a SEARs requirement that the location of a electricity generating infrastructure, including BESS, should avoid any land subject to identified natural hazards (such as bushfires) and should not contribute to an increase of a natural hazard (bushfire)” (p.19, Ember Bushfire Consulting, 2025).
More concerning to the community and in particular the surrounding landholders in the event that a bushfire should over-run the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is not only the fire effecting their property, but also the toxic fumes, that will not only affect human health, but also their livestock, crops, soil and water supply. Moreover, is the fact that these landholders will only be covered for the fire damage to their properties and their livelihoods, not the result of the toxic fumes that will damage and destroy their livelihoods for many years to come, as the companies, such as Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia (SREA) Pty. Ltd. are only liable for damage as the result of a fault or incident that has occurred within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project, not as a result of a natural occurrence such as a bushfire, which will be devastating to the community of Mangoplah and the surrounding landholders, as they will loose income, the ability to pay bills, and the value of their land will decrease dramatically, not to mention their general and mental health, which will change significantly.
Despite there being 3 Rural Fire Service Stations around the area ranging in distance from 2.5km to 22km away from the Mangoplah Bess site, it can take approximately 1 hour to manage to get a crew together to man even one tanker, this is due to the Fire Captain not being notified of an incident, the Fire Captain not able to be notified because of being in a ‘blackspot’ mobile phone area, or other rural fire members not able to attend the fire, as they also cannot be contacted.
Moreover, as stated by Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants, that during construction, there is a high risk of “sparks from construction machinery, vehicles or electrical works, or a fault occurring in the Proposal equipment (e.g. battery packs), start a fire, resulting in fire spreading onto the surrounding landscape and/or toxic chemicals/fumes being released” (cited p.251, Neoen, Territory Battery, EIS, 2024).
Fire Risk and Safety is of major concern in the event of a fire occurring near or within the proposed Mangoplah BESS project site, especially during periods of hot dry, windy conditions, not only from the potential threat of a bushfire in the surrounding area, but the threat of thermal runaway and release of toxic chemicals into the air affecting the village of Mangoplah, the surrounding farmland, crops and livestock but also leaking into the local waterways and creeks.
It deeply affects and concerns me that a rural community like Mangoplah is being exposed to this degree of risk and being impacted so heavily. Please consider the fire risk and the added pressure posed to the local Rural Fire Service members and the broader community. In addition, changing the land use from farming to industrial will negatively impact Mangoplah’s rural setting, lifestyle, property values and insurance. Please consider the cost to the Mangoplah community, their environment, their safety, their homes and many farming families who have been here for generations will all be at increased risk if the proposed Mangoplah BESS project goes ahead. To me it is not a place to build such a project.