The council statement reaffirms it supports renewable energy investment across the region but its concern with the proposal is the location of the sites: 305 Verney Rd and 221 Grahamvale Rd.
Following an independent review of the agricultural and irrigation implications of the proposal, council officers raised concerns not about the need for battery storage infrastructure, but about the suitability of the proposed sites for the facility, which is tipped to create 100 jobs.
The sites fall within the Shepparton Irrigation Area — an area that has received significant government investment in irrigation modernisation.
The review also raised concerns about the cumulative loss of serviced agricultural land and identified matters requiring further consideration regarding the potential impacts of a battery energy storage system incident on nearby irrigation, infrastructure, water quality, continuity of irrigation supply and surrounding horticultural production.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Geoff Akers said council welcomed renewable energy investment but developments needed to be appropriately located.
“This is productive agricultural land within a declared irrigation district, supported by important irrigation infrastructure and significant public investment. We need to ensure renewable energy development does not unnecessarily compromise these strategic agricultural assets,” Cr Akers said.
“Council has demonstrated its support for renewable energy projects in appropriate locations, including the Pine Lodge BESS and renewable energy development at GV Link Enterprise Park.
“We want to continue to work constructively with developers and prospective investors to identify appropriate locations that allow renewable energy and agriculture to prosper side by side.”
The application has been lodged under Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program, with the planning minister as the responsible authority.
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