Woodland Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Project Aim 

The overall project goal was the preparation of a high quality Environmental Impact Statement meeting all legislative requirements and relevant guidelines, and to assess the environmental, social and economic aspects of the development, to accompany the application for State Significant Development.  

What we did

pitt&sherry prepared the Scoping Report, flood impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, preliminary hazard assessment and the EIS including the undertaking of community and agency consultation. We managed the services of specialist subconsultants for biodiversity, noise and heritage assessment. Specialist biodiversity subconsultant undertook seasonal surveys, the result of which significantly reduced the initially estimate for biodiversity offset obligations from $800k down to $110k.  

The project was commercially and technically challenging as it commenced prior to and then was caught up in the transition arrangements for the introduction of the new SSD guidelines including the REAP certification process. Based upon pitt&sherry flood investigations, the development had to be elevated to reduce the risk of flooding on the Murrumbidgee floodplain. The development description and EIS was written to allow flexibility in construction methodology post approval. 

Key Outcomes

Consent was granted in June 2024 for the development of the Woodland Battery Energy Storage System subject to conditions. In making their decision, the Executive Director, Energy, Resource and Industry Assessments found that the project would provide a range of benefits for the region and the State as a whole, including:

• Enabling energy to be stored and dispatched during peak demand, supporting grid stability and energy security;  
• Contributing to a more diverse local economy;  
• Creating up to 80 construction jobs;  
• Contributions to Murrumbidgee Council through a Voluntary Planning Agreement;  
• A capital investment of approximately $370 million;  
• Storage of energy for dispatch to the National Electricity Market; and  
• Assisting in transitioning the electricity sector from coal and gas fired power stations to renewable energy;  

Weighing all relevant considerations it was determined that the impacts on the community and the environment can be appropriately minimised, managed or offset to an acceptable level; and, the project is in the public interest subject to the strict conditions of the consent.