Libra Energy has submitted the development application for its controversial Bremer Battery Project at Lower Mt Walker.
The project involves the construction of a large scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on 62ha of land beside the Rosewood Warrill View Road.
The proposal has drawn strong local opposition from the Lower Mount Walker and broader communities through the columns of this newspaper, online and at protest meetings.
While Libra Energy representatives have held a number of community consultations over the last 12 months, it was not until the weeks leading up to Christmas that a development application was lodged with the Ipswich City Council.
In the application for a material change of use over the three privately owned properties which make up the proposed site, town planning agents for the Brisbane-based developer described the project as a “low impact land use“.
Addressed as 702 Rosewood Warrill View Road, the properties are located in the Rural A and Rural B zones, where the development of a BESS is code assessable.
The proposal includes site preparation and construction of a 10.6ha BESS pad for 544 containerised battery units, a Powerlink owned switchyard on 12.2 ha and project owned 275/33kV substations and four 275/33kV transformers.
Other proposed infrastructure includes a control room, workshop and offices as well as stormwater detention and bio-retention basins and firewater ponds with a total capacity of 432kL.
A 40 metre wide planting of native vegetation is planned on the western and northern boundaries and a 10 metre wide planting on the eastern and southern boundaries are proposed as visual barriers and to supplement the acoustic barriers.
Almost one kilometre of internal road is also planned in addition to an upgrade to the access from the Rosewood Warrill View Road.
In an overview of the proposal, the town planning agents noted that the BESS would … “enhance grid stability by storing energy from various generation sources, including renewables, and supplying it back to the network during peak periods”.
“Located approximately 21km from Ipswich and 6km south of Rosewood, the project is strategically positioned directly adjacent [to] the Greenbank to Middle Ridge 275kV Powerlink transmission line, allowing for efficient energy distribution without requiring significant new infrastructure.
“[The BESS would] utilise a series of Lithium Ferrous Phosphate batteries with a planned storage capacity up to 850 MW/3400 MWh … designed to store excess electricity during off-peak intervals and discharge as required during peak periods, strengthening system reliability and supporting Queensland’s energy network.”
It was also noted that if approved, the construction phase could take two years to complete and would involve up to 200 jobs. There would also be some ongoing roles in maintenance, security and optimising systems.
The application is now under review by council’s planners.
