Battery storage is the most logical and least impactful way for us to make the transition from coal and gas, to a sustainable renewable energy future. While it is not without it's own issues, such as how to process the batteries once no longer needed, the relatively small footprint, lack of harmful emissions, lower noise, and minimal visual disruption make battery storage for times of higher demand an obvious choice for the reliability of our grid. This is particularly obvious when compared to the alternatives.

As a local resident living in close proximity to the proposed project, I still have reservations about issues around the battery storage facility, such as increased traffic, impact on the ecosystem, noise, potential hazards (such as fire and flood) affecting locals and emergency response services, as well as the cumulative impact of this project alongside other proposals for the area. But to object outright to this particular project would be to simply be wanting it to go ahead elsewhere. In this instance, while no new energy projects are preferable, the battery storage facility is the least worst, and therefore one I cannot in good conscience object to.

That being said, it is imperative that XELIO address key areas of concern, not only to ensure the lowest impact on their new neighbours along Canyonleigh road, but also so they have the best chance at succeeding in their proposal. The intensely high volume of projected traffic increase, lack of emergency planning and mitigation or reliance on local fire services, inadequate noise monitoring and reduction, and incomplete ecological surveys are all areas that must be thoroughly reviewed. Neglecting to do so will see them quickly lose support, and likely the opportunity to proceed with their works.

I implore the NSW Planning Department to hold XELIO to the highest standards, while also understanding that they are a much preferable alternative to other projects in the area such as the EnergyAustralia Marulan Gas Fired Power Station and other gas projects, such as ones proposed by Origin Energy.

It's my hope that the feedback and comments from the submissions received will help in ensuring this project has the least impact and most benefit to the local area, and anywhere it will provide energy to upon completion.

Please see attachment containing my full submission.
I consider this project preferable to other energy proposals in our area. My support is conditional on several concerns being addressed, detailed in the attached submission. These relate to: noise, biodiversity, bushfire, traffic and cumulative impacts.

Submission objecting to the Canyonleigh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being granted a planning permit or in any way proceeding to construction.
1. A thriving, prosperous economy, requires a reliable, constant supply of low cost electricity.

2. The Canyonleigh BESS (CBESS) is a dishonest project, that will only result in extremely high priced electricity, created by a combination of unreliable, intermittent, solar, wind and storage BESS. The extremely high priced electricity, will create economic blackouts, because the electricity will be too expensive for domestic, retail and industrial users.
3. The CBESS does not generate any electricity itself. The CBESS is a parasitic Battery complex that operates by taking in electricity at times of (rare) excess generation by wind and solar. And releasing it, when demand exceeds generation, of wind and solar. It is seen “That because of the intermittent and unreliable nature of wind and solar resources, this creates the need for a second ‘back-up’ capacity to support any supply gaps”.
This statement alone clearly sets out. That by needing to have two “electricity systems”, one to generate and one to store and release, electricity, it immediately means that infrastructure cost alone means any electricity produced will too expensive for either domestic or manufacturing consumers to afford. Because of their intermittent and unreliable nature of electricity production, (because of an unreliable supply of ‘weather’ fuel) solar farms and wind farms. Should never be considered as an economic or dependable electricity generator for supplying baseload electricity to a modern electricity grid. To add a BESS to the mix, does not produce one MWh of power and actually loses 16% of the power, having to convert it from AC to DC current going into the BESS. And again converting the current via Inverters from DC to AC current when transferring out of the BESS.
4. This Canyonleigh BESS is completely unnecessary and worthless. This is because all the Federal and State Net Zero emission goals, Emission Reduction goals and Carbon emission limits on big polluters, are all a waste of money, effort, and will not reduce Global emissions by one iota. The reason is that while Australia’s emissions of Co2 are approximately 1.3% of the World’s emissions at the same time China emits 30% of the World’s emissions and is still growing. Any reduction in Australia’s emissions will be quickly replaced by China’s emissions.
5. This Canyonleigh BESS is totally reliant on Climate Change subsidies and mandated energy retailer policies, without which it would never be built. Or if the subsidies, etc are removed this CBESS will be abandoned. Further if the CBESS cannot afford the cost of building the HV Transmission necessary to connect to the Grid. It is ridiculous for electricity consumers and taxpayers to have to pay for the connecting HV Transmission Lines.
6. Importantly this Canyonleigh BESS has not made adequate provision for the outbreak of a wildfire. Firebreaks are grossly inadequate and fixed water tanks are next to useless, particularly in BESS fires. In Victoria CFA fire fighters are refusing to enter Renewable Factories. Water bombers would not water bomb the CBESS because of the risk of explosions The risk to surrounding rural residents is frightening.
7. As well this Canyonleigh BESS has made no financial provision for the dismantling and restoration of the site. Or the cost of the disposal of the toxic, batteries and associated toxic junk. This is why this Canyonleigh BESS is not a net contributor to the electricity generation system or a viable economic proposition and should never be built.

Why would you think that destroying the environment and putting a potential environmental disaster., that being BESS battery facilities anywhere at all. Has the disposal of the waste been thoroughly addressed. NO IT HAS NOT. Has the facility been totally costed? Who will be stuck with the clean up for a contamination and the disposal. Is this project getting subsidised. When the subsidy runs out, will the company run out as well?

Contamination and Waste Management are issues that are being swept under the carpet. It’s time government stop putting renewable energy targets ahead of the nation’s public health and food security. Please see attached for details:

While large batteries do not generate electricity, their energy storage provides very expensive electricity.
The risk of toxic fumes, the result of a chemical fire, impacting people in and around Marulan is an unacceptable risk to human and animal health. While big battery fires occasionally occur, when they do they are devastating and the risk to human life is so server that they should not be used at the scale proposed.

I object to the proposed Canyonleigh Battery Energy Storage System near Goulburn due to serious safety, environmental, and amenity concerns. The risk of lithium battery fires and potential release of toxic gases poses a danger to nearby residents and emergency responders, especially given the site’s rural location with limited firefighting resources. Clearing native vegetation, runoff impacts, and long-term contamination risk threaten local wildlife and waterways. Noise from cooling systems, lighting, and the industrial visual impact will reduce rural amenity and likely devalue surrounding properties, while the community receives minimal direct benefit despite bearing the risk. I request a more rigorous independent safety assessment, full consultation with RFS/CFA, and a detailed emergency management plan before any approval is considered.

The Canyonleigh BESS is a highly toxic, ridiculously expensive industrial-scale experiment that places dangerous, unproven ideology ahead of practical energy security.

The project will torture electricity consumers with ever increasing costs, depends on insecure imported junk and fails to provide any continuous 24/7 electricity generation.

Rural communities, agricultural land and critically endangered box gum woodland should never be used as testing grounds for poisonous energy experiments.