These FAQs are based on community feedback from the project’s website registration form and discussions at the Bunyip Community Markets.

RES will continue to share information transparently as the project progresses, and we encourage community members to keep asking questions and providing feedback. Ongoing input helps ensure the topics that matter most to the community remain central to the project’s planning and engagement.

 

Project purpose and location

Why has the site been chosen?

The site was selected for its strategic location between the Latrobe Valley generation centre and Melbourne’s major electricity demand areas, positioned along existing transmission infrastructure and with transport access possible from the Princes Freeway to the south of the project site. This location enables efficient grid connection and logistics while minimising the extent and impact of the proposed development.

 

Why can a battery be proposed outside a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), and does that mean planning rules or overlays can be ignored?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) can be located either inside or outside Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones. Their role is to support the wider electricity network by improving reliability, stability and the use of renewable energy. Projects outside a REZ are still required to meet strict grid-connection standards and demonstrate broader community and economic benefits.

Importantly, being outside a REZ does not mean planning rules or overlays can be ignored. Battery projects must comply with the relevant local planning scheme, satisfy all applicable overlays (such as flood, heritage or bushfire overlays), and undergo assessment by planning authorities. These requirements ensure that environmental, cultural heritage and community considerations are fully addressed.

 

How will the Bunyip North Battery support the electricity grid, and where will its power be used?

The Bunyip North Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is proposed to connect directly into Victoria’s Declared Shared Network (DSN) through a new terminal station and a cut-in to the existing 220 kV transmission lines that run through the Project Area. This means the energy stored and released by the battery will support the entire Victorian grid, helping supply power where and when it is needed most.

Beyond energy storage, BESS technology can also deliver system-strength services that improve grid stability by helping regulate voltage and frequency and may assist with grid restart following major outages.

 

Planning, regulation and protections

What is the Development Facilitation Program, and how is local council involved?

The Development Facilitation Program (DFP) is a Victorian Government planning pathway designed to assess projects considered to be of state or regional significance, particularly those that deliver economic, environmental or community benefits.

Although applications under the DFP are assessed by the Department of Transport and Planning and decided by the Minister for Planning, local councils remain an important part of the process as referral and advisory authorities, and their input is formally considered as part of the assessment.

Projects going through the DFP must still comply with the local planning scheme, and engagement with councils, landowners and the community continue to be an important part of the process.

 

How will the community be able to have a say on the Project under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP)?

Although the project is being assessed through the DFP, there will still be a public exhibition period where the full planning application and all supporting technical reports are made available for community review. This period is typically 14–28 days, depending on the Minister’s direction. During this time, anyone can make a submission. The exhibition is managed by the Department of Transport and Planning, and all submissions are considered by the Minister for Planning before any decision is made.

 

 How are noise and light emissions regulated for a BESS project, and how are construction impacts managed?

Noise and light impacts are assessed through the planning permit process, with BESS projects required to meet strict Victorian planning requirements and relevant Australian Standards. Noise must comply with the EPA’s Noise Protocol (Publication 1826.5), and light must meet AS 4282:2019, ensuring sound and lighting levels remain within acceptable limits and minimise spill, glare and impacts on nearby residents.

To ensure these requirements are met in practice, planning authorities typically impose permit conditions requiring detailed management plans. These plans set out how impacts will be avoided, minimised and monitored through construction and operation. Examples include:

• a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which outlines measures to manage construction noise, reduce temporary lighting impacts, and protect local amenity; and
• a Traffic Management Plan (TMP), which manages construction vehicle movements, access routes and safety considerations to minimise disruption to nearby residents and road users.

Together, the standards, permit conditions and required management plans ensure noise, light and construction-related impacts are systematically controlled throughout the life of the project.

 

Who will own and operate the Bunyip North BESS, and what is RES’s role?

RES’s role is to develop the Bunyip North BESS, which includes site selection, environmental and technical assessments, planning and regulatory approvals, grid connection work and community engagement.

Once development is complete, a long-term owner and operator - such as an energy company, utility or infrastructure investor- is expected to purchase the project and take responsibility for operating it over its life.

While RES does not plan to be the long-term owner, we can provide construction and asset management services if engaged by the future owner, offering continuity from development through to construction and operations.

All commitments made during development - such as planning permit conditions, environmental protections, cultural heritage requirements, safety standards and benefit-sharing - remain legally binding on any future owner or operator.

 

What is the expected timing for a battery energy storage project?

A battery project typically progresses through three main stages:

1.       Development (around 2–4 years): Site assessments, engineering design, community engagement, planning and grid connection approvals.

2.       Construction (around 12–24 months): Site preparation, installation of civil and electrical works, delivery of battery units and connection to the grid.

3.       Operations (20–30+ years): The facility supports the electricity network through its operational life, with regular monitoring and maintenance. At end-of-life, equipment is removed and the land can be restored.

For timing specific to the Bunyip North BESS, please visit our website: https://bunyipnorth-energystorage.com/timeline/

 

Environmental, cultural and land-use considerations

What are the environmental and cultural heritage considerations, including local waterways?

Independent ecological and cultural heritage assessments are underway to understand how the project may affect local plants, animals, habitats, waterways and areas of cultural sensitivity. On-site surveys have helped define a project area that keeps to mostly modified farmland and avoids native vegetation, wildlife habitat and culturally sensitive areas, including land surrounding Cannibal Creek to the north of the project site.

Findings from ecological surveys, surface-water studies and cultural heritage investigations will continue to shape the project’s design to minimise potential impacts on the environment and local waterways.

In addition to assessments required for the planning application, RES has engaged ERM to prepare a Cultural Heritage Management Plan in consultation with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 will be considered to ensure the Project is assessed against national environmental requirements.

 

  Will agricultural practices be able to continue around the project?

The project has been designed to support the ongoing use of the land for agricultural purposes while providing a reliable supplementary income to landowners. The proposed infrastructure will occupy only a small portion of the broader property, allowing farming activities to continue around the project footprint, which will be restored to its original use at the end of the project’s operational life.

 

Will this cause property values to decline?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are generally much smaller in scale than wind or solar farms. Studies into the effects of renewable energy developments on property values have been undertaken for larger-scale projects, such as wind and solar farms, and are summarised in this Clean Energy Council fact sheet: Renewable Energy, Property Prices and Insurance. 

A 2022 market report cited in this fact sheet found that median property prices in six New South Wales and Victorian local government areas with major renewable projects increased by 35–51% over five years. Based on this data and the smaller footprint and impact of a BESS, it is not expected that the proposed project at Bunyip North will impact on property valuations in the Bunyip North area.

 

How are Traditional Owners involved in the Bunyip North BESS?

RES acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Bunyip North BESS is located. Traditional Owner partnership is a core part of how we develop projects. Our commitment to respectful and meaningful engagement is guided by RES’s Reconciliation Action Plan, which sets clear expectations for culturally informed planning, design and benefit-sharing.

Across all RES projects, this includes:

• cultural awareness training for our staff
• Indigenous procurement pathways and long-term partnership opportunities
• dedicated First Nations engagement leads within our teams
• support for education, employment, cultural initiatives and community programs
• benefit-sharing initiatives designed with Traditional Owners

The Bunyip North BESS is following this same approach through ongoing engagement with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. This involvement will continue throughout planning, design and delivery to ensure Traditional Owner perspectives and cultural values are reflected in the project.

 

What happens at the end of a battery energy storage project’s life, and how is recycling managed?

Battery energy storage systems are designed to operate for around 20–30+ years. At the end of their operational life, the facility is decommissioned, which involves safely removing all above-ground equipment and restoring the land to its original use unless otherwise agreed with the landowner.

Battery components contain valuable and recyclable materials. As the industry grows, recycling technologies continue to advance, enabling increasing recovery of metals and other materials. End-of-life processes follow strict safety, environmental and waste-management regulations.

For more information on battery recycling in Australia, see the Clean Energy Council’s fact sheet here: Recycling the future: sustainable solutions for renewable energy technologies

 

Safety and emergency management

How will fire risk be managed around the Bunyip North BESS site?

Managing fire risk is a key focus for the Bunyip North BESS. The site is located within a Bushfire Prone Area, which means bushfire risk must be carefully assessed and managed as part of the planning process.

A bushfire hazard assessment will be undertaken to assess the bushfire or grassfire risk from the surrounding landscape, determine how the design can prevent fires from starting on site and minimise the chance of fire spreading beyond the property.

A detailed Risk Management Plan, informed by national and international best practice and the CFA’s Design Guidelines and Model Requirements: Renewable Energy Facilities v4 (2023), will set out the measures in place for both construction and operation. These typically include:

·    Vegetation management and firebreaks: A maintained non-combustible zone around infrastructure and ongoing fuel-load management.

·    Site layout and access: Perimeter and internal roads designed to support CFA access, with multiple entry points for flexible emergency response.

·    Firefighting water supply: Dedicated static water storage and hydrants designed to Australian standards.

·    Monitoring and emergency response: 24/7 remote monitoring, alarms to a central control room, and emergency procedures developed in consultation with the CFA.

Together, these measures ensure the project is designed, constructed and operated to meet stringent fire-safety standards and support effective response by emergency services.

 

What happens if a BESS catches on fire?

Fires in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are rare, and the units are designed with multiple layers of protection - such as continuous monitoring, internal fire detection and suppression, emergency shutdown controls, and explosion and ember protection - to detect issues early and prevent a fire from occurring. If a fire occurs and is not fully extinguished by these systems, the units are engineered to contain it within the affected module so it cannot spread to others.

In these cases, emergency services typically allow the affected unit to burn out safely while protecting nearby equipment using the site’s dedicated firefighting water supply. BESS sites are equipped for this response, with dedicated firefighting water supply, hydrants, spill-containment measures and safe access for emergency vehicles defined by the CFA.

If you’re interested in learning more about fire risk and renewable energy projects, you can read about it here: Do large-scale renewables pose a fire risk to communities? - Energy Fact Check

 

Community engagement and benefits

Is RES continuing to consult with the local community on the proposal?

RES is committed to early, ongoing and transparent engagement with the community throughout the development of the project. Engagement began with introductory letters to neighbours, meetings with local groups, and the launch of the project website.

Members of the project team also attended the Bunyip Community Markets in October to answer questions, hear community perspectives and gather feedback to help shape the proposal. Further in-person engagement is planned in Q1 2026 and will be advertised via a project newsletter. Community members are encouraged to register for direct updates or contact the team via the Project website.

Alongside community engagement, RES continues to consult with key statutory authorities (including Cardinia Shire Council, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, CFA, Melbourne Water, AusNet and AEMO) to ensure the Project is developed safely, responsibly and in line with local and state requirements.

How will benefit-sharing be developed for the Bunyip North BESS?

Benefit sharing for the Bunyip North BESS will be shaped through ongoing engagement with local community members, Traditional Owners, organisations and stakeholders. The aim is to deliver long-term social and economic value that aligns with local needs and priorities.

Our approach focuses on:

·       identifying opportunities that build on local strengths, capabilities and resources

·       supporting initiatives that deliver lasting social or economic benefits

·       aligning benefits with priorities already identified by the community and local organisations

·       collaborating with community groups, industry and government to achieve collective impact

·       providing transparent information about benefit-sharing commitments as the project progresses

Benefit-sharing options may include support for community programs, local partnerships, training and employment pathways, and opportunities for local procurement. These ideas will continue to be shaped through conversations with the community as planning and design continue.

To register as a local supplier or share your ideas for benefit sharing from development through to operations, please complete the form on our website: https://bunyipnorth-energystorage.com/contact-us/

 

Click to view Factsheets by the Clean Energy Council below.

• Empowering communities: the local benefits of renewable energy.
• Recycling in the future: sustainable solutions for renewable energy technologies.
• Fire-resilient renewable energy: minimising bushfire risk.
• Renewable energy rising: Property values and insurance.