Subject: Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Inappropriate use of RU1 land being used for a hazardous and offensive development, which is contradictory to both state and local government aims, objectives and policies regarding agricultural land use.

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 Inappropriate use of RU1 land being used for a hazardous and offensive development, which is contradictory to both state and local government aims, objectives and policies regarding agricultural land use.
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.

A hazard according to the NSW Department of Planning “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, Hazard Analysis).
The community of Mangoplah feel that the proposed Mangoplah BESS project conflicts with the Wagga Wagga Local Environment Plan, 2010 objectives associated with RU1 classification –
• To encourage sustainable primary industry production by maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base
• To encourage diversity in primary industry enterprises and systems appropriate for the area
• To minimise the fragmentation and alienation of resource lands
• To minimise conflict between land use within this zone and land uses within adjoining zones
• To foster strong, sustainable rural community lifestyles
• To maintain the rural landscape character of the land…”(p.23, Mangoplah, EIS, 2025).

And also conflicts with the aims of the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Primary Production) 2021 –
(a) to facilitate the orderly economic use and development of lands for primary production.
(b) to reduce land use conflict and sterilisation of rural land by balancing primary production…
(c) to identify State significant agricultural land for the purpose of ensuring the ongoing viability of agriculture on that land, having regard to social, economic and environmental considerations.
(d) to encourage sustainable agriculture…”(2025).

NSW Government Planning, Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory Paper No. 4, states, “when considering strategic planning, the primary emphasis needs to be on the suitability of land for the proposed land of uses, having regard to existing risk exposure and the sensitivity of the current land use” (p.6), this statement should be the key issue when looking at where the proposed Mangoplah BESS project is to be constructed.

The community voice that RU1 land areas are specifically zoned for the intention of agricultural production and environmental protection, with the main focus on activities like farming and grazing. 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, as mentioned above, when it involves the protection of our land, the environment, our small village, it’s residents and the surrounding agricultural farm land, the farmers and their livestock, and their livelihood, as stated in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Primary Production) 2021, that placing a hazardous development or industry, would pose a significant risk to human health, life or property, and the biophysical environment in relation to the planned location of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.

It deeply affects and concerns me, as a farming family in the district that our good agricultural land should be treated in such a destructive way, the various Governments, from Local, State and Federal have no respect to the people who live in the country, producing crops and livestock so that the rest of Australia has food on their table, but moreover, 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 RU1 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.

Subject: Objection against the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System – SSD-77527735.

Because of the Complete lack of engagement and social licence with the Mangoplah community regarding the construction of the proposed Mangoplah BESS project.
**AS PER ATTACHED LETTER**

Subject - Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System- SSD-77527735
As per attached letter

I strongly object to this proposal. Listen to the community - it is NOT wanted. This is in the wrong place and poses enormous fire risk as well as well risk of contamination to the area and surrounding areas in the event of a disaster. It has been seen repeatedly around the world, that BESS are prone to fire. This has the potential to decimate our community and seeks to change the character and natural landscape of our community turning it from a productive agricultural region into an industrial region. Let's be clear that once developments such as this are approved, other developments follow. Mangoplah and our community will never be the same should this proposed development be approved.
I implore some commonsense. Reject this proposal. I reiterate, the Mangoplah community does NOT want this project.

As a long-term farmer and landowner in the vicinity of this project - and as a member of the local community who will benefit from the storage of excess electricity to be used as needed - I fully support this project.

It’s obvious that for humanity to survive, we need to transition to renewable energy in order to literally save the planet, and battery storage must make a major contribution towards this transition.

I believe the community benefits outweigh any perceived negative aspects and I am ashamed that local detractors of this project are actively spreading myths and misinformation about risks such as increased fire danger and pollution and other emotive negativity to evoke a negative community response.

Unfortunately, public opinion can be influenced by untruths if they’re spoken loudly enough, and I hope that this opinion is not able to cast a negative shadow on this project.

I wish this project, and those like it, every success as they are fundamentally necessary for our survival.

Basis of objection:
1. The Mangoplah BESS site (given the rural environment and topography) has insufficient water holding capacity.
2. Mains water supply is not available to the proposed Mangoplah BESS site.
3. The mains water supply line running from The Rock to the village of Mangoplah has insufficient capacity to supply the volume of water required for the Mangoplah BESS.
4. Increasing the water supply burden on the line without a line upgrade will comprise water supply to existing connections.

Subject - Objection to the Mangoplah Battery Energy Storage System - SSD-77527735
As per attached pdf letter