Dear Minister
Planning Application PA2403308 – Dederang BESS - Yackandandah – Dederang Road, Dederang
I refer to the above mentioned application for the use and development of the land for a utility installation (Battery Energy Storage System), removal of native vegetation, alteration to an access to a Transport 2 Zone and ancillary buildings and works on the land known as Yackandandah – Dederang Road, Dederang.
Council was given notice of the application under section 52(1)(b) of the Act by the Department on 18 December 2024.
The application was presented to Council to determine a position on the proposal, at the Council Meeting held on 25 February 2025.
At this meeting, Council determined to object to the proposal on the following grounds:
Insufficient Information
Insufficient information has been provided with the application to make an informed and complete assessment as to the potential impact the proposed use and development may have on the natural environment as well as the amenity of the area.
The reports which have accompanied the application are ambiguous and fail to provide the level of detail necessary to satisfy concerns which have been raised by the community and Council in relation to the natural environment, fire safety, visual impact and protection of amenity.
Impact on Significant Landscape
The development will cause a detrimental visual intrusion on the significant Kiewa Valley landscape as a consequence of its location on a ridgeline, scale and incorporation of reflective external materials which is inconsistent with Clause 02.03-2 - Environmental and landscape values’ and ‘Landscapes’ of the Municipal Strategy; Clause 12.05 - ‘Significant environments and landscapes’ and Clause 12.05-2S – ‘Landscapes' of the Planning Policy Framework; and purpose and objectives of Clause 42.03 - Significant Landscape Overlay.
Loss of Agricultural Land
The proposal will contribute to the loss and fragmentation of valuable agricultural land contrary to the objectives of Clause 02.03-4 - ‘Natural resource management’ of the Municipal Strategy; Clause 14.01-1S - ‘Protection of Agricultural Land’, Clause 14.01-2S – ‘Sustainable agricultural land’ and Clause 14.01-2R – ‘Agricultural productivity – Hume’ as contained within the Planning Policy Framework; and purpose and objectives of Clause 35.07 - Farming Zone.
Fire Risk
The proposal fails to provide an adequate response as to how bushfire risk will be mitigated and managed both internally to and externally to the site, contrary to Clause 02.03-3 - ‘Environmental risk and amenity’ of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Clause 13.02-1S – ‘Bushfire planning’ of the Planning Policy Framework.
Impact on Waterways
The proposal fails to appropriately respond to or mitigate potential impacts of runoff and sediment into the Glen Creek tributaries contrary to Clause 02.03-2 – ‘River corridors and waterways’ of the Municipal Planning Strategy; and Clause 12.03-1S - ‘River and riparian corridors, waterways. Lakes, wetlands and billabongs’ and Clause 12.03-1L – ‘River corridors and waterways’ of the Planning Policy Framework.
Impact on Community and Environment
The proposed location of the battery energy storage system is contrary to Clause 19.01-2S – ‘Renewable Energy’ of the Planning Policy Framework as it fails to site a renewable energy development in an appropriate location which minimises the effects on the local community and environment.
Economic Benefit
The proposal fails to demonstrate any economic benefits for the Dederang Community which is contrary to Clause 19.01-2S – ‘Renewable Energy’ of the Planning Policy Framework.
Orderly Planning
The use and development fail to contribute to the orderly planning of the area which is contrary to Clause 65 – ‘Decision Guidelines’.
If you would like any further information, please contact Rebecca Mouy, Manager Regulatory Service, by email rebeccam@alpineshire.vic.gov.au or by calling 03 5755 0555.
Yours sincerely,
Cr. Sarah Nicholas
Mayor