Engagement Snapshot
Here is an overview of all the activities involving community for the purpose of participation.
Overview
Growth Planning is publicly exhibiting a draft Planning Agreement with Wellington Battery Project Co Pty Ltd that relates to the Orana Battery Energy Storage System at 6945 Goolma Road, Montefiores.
Under the terms of the Planning Agreement, Council will receive:
- $3.2 million over the life of the project (20 years);
- $1.3 million paid at commencement of operations; and
- $160,000 paid annually from year 8 onwards from the anniversary of commencement of operations.
Operations means the operation of the development, but does not include commissioning, trials of equipment or the use of temporary facilities.
The first monetary contribution would be utilised for the Wellington Road Shared Pathway, and the secondary and annual monetary contributions would be utilised to benefit the community through delivering projects described in Council's Renewable Energy Benefit Framework. Funding for the secondary and annual monetary contributions would be indexed annually from commencement of operations to the Australian Consumer Price Index – Sydney All Groups.
The draft Planning Agreement and Explanatory Note are on public exhibition until 9am, Monday 17 June 2024.
Development information
On 22 December 2023, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment approved a State Significant Development Application for the construction and operation of the Orana Battery Energy Storage System, which includes:
- batteries with an overall capacity of 400 megawatts (MW) and up to 1,600 megawatt hours (MWh)
- 330 kV substation and switchyard, including two high voltage transformers
- site infrastructure, including site office, maintenance building, control rooms, access road, parking, lighting and fencing
- a new 330 kV transmission line connecting to the existing Wellington substation to the north
- upgrades to existing site access off Goolma Road.
The development will have a Capital Investment Value of $879 million.
Location
A Planning Agreement is an agreement entered into between Council and a developer where the developer agrees to fund public amenities or infrastructure, dedicate land at no cost to Council, or provide monetary contributions or any other material public benefit, for a public purpose.
In accordance with Division 7.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, a public purpose includes any of the following:
- The provision of public amenities or services;
- The provision of affordable housing;
- The provision of transport or other infrastructure relating to land;
- The funding or recurrent expenditure relating to the provision of public amenities or public services, affordable housing or transport or other infrastructure;
- The monitoring of the planning impacts of development;
- The conservation or enhancement of the natural environment.
The use of Planning Agreements has increased as a result of their flexibility in allowing councils to capture public benefits outside the infrastructure contributions system.
The Towards 2040 Community Strategic Plan is a vision for the development of the region out to the year 2040. The Plan includes six principle themes and a number of objectives and strategies. This report is aligned to:
Theme: 2 Infrastructure
Objective: 2.2 Infrastructure meets the current and future needs of our community
Delivery Program Strategy: 2.2.5 Council maintains infrastructure and delivers services at the adopted service levels as agreed with the community
Submission Process
In accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 1998, written submissions received by Council containing personal information may be made public when the matter goes before Council for consideration, as it may be included in Council’s Business Papers. Persons have the right to remain anonymous if they so choose by refraining from submitting their personal information, however, the submission may be given less weight in the overall assessment and consideration of the draft Planning Agreement.
