Rural
21 August, 2026
Battery farm will ruin our valley: residents
Residents of Kangaroo Valley are calling for AGL to hold a public meeting to discuss community concerns over a proposed new battery farm off Bendeela Road.
Residents of Kangaroo Valley are calling for AGL to hold a public meeting to discuss community concerns over a proposed new battery farm off Bendeela Road.
AGL has lodged a State Significant application for a 30-hectare Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with an operational life of up to 20 years.
It would have three access points – two off Old Bendeela Road and an emergency access off Bendeela Road.
Construction would take approximately 18 months with a peak construction period of approximately 4.5 months.
It would create up to 150 full-time jobs during peak construction and three on-going full-time jobs for operational maintenance.
AGL says it has engaged widely to ensure “relevant stakeholder considerations are appropriately addressed”.
Discussions have been held with immediate neighbours, community groups, NSW Rural Fire Service, State and Federal MPs and Shoalhaven City Council.
It says “several refinements” have been made to the project as a result of technical assessment outcomes and feedback from the community and government organisations.
Those refinements include a redesign of the project layout to achieve an asset protection zone and minimise bushfire risk in response to community concerns.
Resident Graeme Cochrane has expressed concern over the environmental impact of the project and the bushfire risk.
He said AGL had failed to address noise concerns in a timely manner given they had been deemed too ‘complex’ to quantify.
“Now the site has moved closer to homes it makes me wonder what AGL has been serving up to nearby residents and the wider Kangaroo Valley community,” Mr Cochrane said.
“I wish AGL would call a public meeting with all its ducks in a row and show the respect to the Kangaroo Valley community it deserves for a project of this enormity that will potentially have such an impact on our beautiful valley.”
The Southern Wire understands that nearby residents are fighting to stop the project from going ahead.
Lyn Obern said the project was simply inappropriate “in this beautiful quiet valley”.
She said it would destroy residents’ peace and they would be forced to live with the constant threat of bushfire in a dead-end road with restricted access to safety.
“There are better sites within industrial areas – already a concrete area where people’s homes are not opposite this and wildlife remain safe.”
AGL says the battery will be approximately 350 megawatts (MW) with a 1400 megawatt-(MWh) capacity. It says the battery has the potential to improve the reliability of the electricity grid.
It expects the battery to provide socioeconomic outcomes “including the potential benefits relating to increased employment opportunities”.
According to an AGL fact sheet, large grid-scale battery systems respond quickly to electricity supply or demand.
They are typically charged during the day when there’s excess energy from other sources and release it when demands for energy is high.
“Grid scale batteries play an important role in Australia’s energy transition by helping keep the electricity grid in balance as we shift to a renewable energy system,” the fact sheet says.
“Batteries can respond quickly to address any energy shortfall, supply the grid and stabilise it.
“As the amount of renewable energy generation increases in the energy mix, grid-scale batteries help support a more stable and reliable energy system.”
It says the risk of batteries causing a bushfire is low but acknowledges it may be a concern for the community.
“AGL designs its battery systems with fire safety a top priority,” the fact sheet says.
“We work with fire safety experts and carry out detailed risk assessments to ensure we meet safety standards.”
It says the battery will make ‘low-level noise’ from its cooling fans.
“Noise levels can vary depending on location, terrain, weather and existing background noise.
“If predicted noise levels exceed the limits set by government policies, AGL will introduce measures to reduce the impact, such as changing the layout or adding acoustic barriers.”
According to its latest update to residents, AGL is nearing completion of an Environmental Impact Statement which is expected to be lodged later this year and will be available on the NSW planning portal.
“There will be more opportunities to learn about the project and share your feedback as the planning process continues,” the update says. More information about the project is available online at www.agl.au/kvbattery
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