Latrobe City Council are seeing a number of proposed large-scale development projects that are being met with both concern and positivity from members of our community as part of early consultation activities.
Projects such as the proposed Battery Recycling Plant in Hazelwood North, the proposed Frasers Solar Farm in Glengarry and proposed Delburn Wind Farm are just a sample of the projects that have raised the interest of community members.
View the projects below and contact the proponents for more detail. The projects with the most recent update appear at the top of the list.
Address: Tramway Road, Morwell.
Proposal: Tramway Road is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project up to 300M / 1200 MWh in size in the Latrobe Valley in
Gippsland, Victoria. Strategically located with a direct connection to the adjacent Hazelwood Terminal Station, the site will deliver safe, secure and reliable energy to Victorians and support the region’s energy transition.
Community Drop-In Session: A community drop-in session for this proposal will be held, see details below:
Date: Tuesday 19 November, 2024
Time: 2pm to 6pm
Venue: Churchill Public Hall, 4 Marina Parade, Churchill VIC 3842
Or visit: ekuenergy.com
Planning Status
The project is under development with planning and environmental studies underway.
More Information
Contact: EKU Energy
Phone: 0452 593 428
Description
Address: Bartons Lane, Loy Yang.
Proposal: Buildings and works associated with the existing Loy Yang B Power Station to facilitate a construction of battery energy storage system (BESS) up to 250 MW/500MWh and associated infrastructure.
Map: Loy Yang B BESS
Planning Status
Status: Approved.
Planning Approval: A planning permit was issued by the Minister for Planning on 13 August 2024 (permit number PA2402944).
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application is the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: Alinta Energy
Phone: 1300 472 189
Description
Address: 600 Tramway Road, Hazelwood North.
Proposal: Marinus Link Pty Ltd proposes to connect the Tasmanian electricity grid to the National Electricity Market by constructing an underground and subsea interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria. It will connect to Latrobe through underground cables connecting to a proposed converter station located in Hazelwood.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Marinus Link has prepared a draft Commonwealth Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) and a Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EES) through a coordinated process, resulting in a combined EIS/EES addressing the requirements of Commonwealth and Victorian legislation.
The EIS/EES, and a draft Planning Scheme Assessment (PSA) to facilitate the project within Victoria, are now available for public comment for a period of 30 business days. Written submissions in respect of the EIS/EES and the draft PSA can be made between Friday 31 May and 11:59pm on Friday 12 July 2024 via the Victorian Government’s Engage Victoria website: Engagement Marinus Link
Planning Approval: The Minister for Planning will appoint a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) to advise on the Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EES) and public submissions received on the proposed Marinus Link Project. The IAC will also consider draft Amendment GC217 affecting the Latrobe and South Gippsland Planning Schemes (PSA), which proposes to facilitate the Project.
More Information
Contact: Marinus Link
Phone: 1300 765 275
Email: team@marinuslink.com.au
Updated 26/08/2024
Description
Address: Walshs Road Traralgon Victoria 3844 ,Firmins Lane Hazelwood North VIC 3840.
Proposal: An approximately 450 MW photovoltaic solar energy facility and associated infrastructure, with battery energy storage system (BESS) of approximately 1800 MWh of capacity, a substation, and associated infrastructure.
Planning Status
Status: Planning Application (ref. PA2302383) has been approved by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application was the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: Cogency Australia
Phone: 0452 593 428
Email: consultation@cogencyaustralia.com.au
Updated 16/04/2024
Description
Address: Strzelecki Ranges, Delburn (within HVP Plantations Thorpdale Tree Farm).
Proposal: The proposal seeks approval to develop a 33-turbine wind energy facility and associated infrastructure spanning across three Local Government Areas (Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire and South Gippsland Shire).
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved. Applications were approved on 22 November 2023 to amend the permit by making various minor changes to conditions (Consistency/Rewording, Referral Authority Conditions – Agreed Amendments and Strzelecki Highway Setback Conditions Proposed Amendments).
Planning Approval:
Four Planning Permits (making up the Delburn Wind Farm) were issued on 27 March 2022 by the Minister for Planning:
- PA2001063 – Wind Energy Facility, Latrobe City
- PA2001064 – Wind Energy Facility, Baw Baw Shire
- PA2001066 – Wind Energy Facility, South Gippsland Shire
- PA2001065 – Terminal Station, Latrobe City
Minor amendments were made to the Planning Permits by the Minister for Planning on 20 April 2023, 22 May 2023, 22 November 2023 and 12 April 2024.
A Supreme Court appeal was lodged to determine whether the planning permits contravene Clause 52.32 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme. On 27 March 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Minister for Planning in approving a Planning Permit as it does not contravene Clause 52.32 (Wind Energy Facility) of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
The transcript for the appeal can be seen on AustLII’s website here:
On 17 August 2023 Council were notified that the permit holder had submitted applications to make amendments to conditions of the permits relating to the wind energy facility. These amendments consisted of minor changes to conditions. These applications were on notification until 18 September 2023.
In May 2023, Delburn Wind Farm Pty Ltd lodged applications to amend conditions of these permits. Public notice of the applications was given in August 2023 and over 290 submissions were received by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
The Minister for Planning determined the applications to amend the wind energy facility permits in November 2023. A Panel process was not required to consider the submissions made on these applications.
In January 2024, the Minister for Planning referred the objections and submissions received on Application to Amend Planning Permit PA2001065-1 for Delburn Terminal Station to a Panel. Key issues raised in submissions related to:
- weakening of conditions and consequential impacts on the safety of surrounding communities and protection of the environment
- the adequacy of assessments supporting changes to bushfire management conditions
- the protection of cultural heritage.
The Panel conducted a public Hearing in March 2024. Extensive submissions were made by the Strzelecki Community Alliance and other community members that have had a long involvement in the planning processes for this development.
The Panel is tasked with assessing whether changes to the existing permit will deliver an acceptable outcome.
Having carefully considered the application, the Panel finds the proposed changes to conditions:
- do not weaken the bushfire standards set for the Delburn Terminal Station and are supported by the Country Fire Authority
- are beneficial and will avoid future confusion about what is intended to be achieved by the conditions.
Based on the reasons set out in the Panel Report, the Panel recommends:
The Minister for Planning amend Planning Permit PA2001065-1 for the Delburn Terminal Station.
The full Planning Panel Report is available to view on Planning Panels website here:
The Minister for Planning has approved these amendments and the current amended permits relating to Latrobe City can be viewed here:
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application is the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: OSMI Australia
Phone: 1800 676 428
Email: contactus@osmi.com.au
Description
Address: 240 Monash Way, Hazelwood North.
Proposal: Use and development of a utility installation (Battery Energy Storage System).
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Planning Permit PA2302133 was approved by the Minister for Planning on 16 November 2023.
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application is the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: Flow Power
Phone: 1800 377 639
Email: projectsteam@bennettscreekbattery.com.au
Description
Address: 2-14 Tobruk Street, Morwell
Proposal: Development of land with 27 single storey dwellings under the Big Housing Build
A copy of the application in full can be viewed online here Tobruk Street-Community Housing.
Note: Council are not the assessing authority for this application. This application is being considered by the Minister for Planning under Clause 52.20 of the Victorian Planning Scheme.
Planning Status
Status: A ministerial approval under Clause 52.20 was approved on 9 May 2024 and can be viewed below;
Contact Urbis on the phone number provided above.
Description
Address: Transmission line extending eastly, connecting to Brodribb Road, Hazelwood (previous Hazelwood Power Station).
Proposal: The proposed windfarm is to be located 10-43 kilometres off the Gippsland coastline between Woodside Beach and Seaspray. The project will host up to 139 offshore turbines, and 2 to 4 offshore substations.
The project is proposed to connect into the Latrobe Valley via a shared transmission line.
The project is a joint development by BlueFloat Energy and Energy Estate.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: The Minister for Planning has determined that an Environment Effects Statement under the Environment Effects Act 1978 is required.
Planning Approval: Project included in GREZ, and Planning permissions to be granted under the broader project proposal.
More Information
Contact: Blue Float Energy
Email: info@bluefloat.com
Contact: Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Project
Phone: 1800 409 250
Email: info@greatergippslandowp.com.au
Description
Address: 23 Dunbar Road, Traralgon
Response to questions asked by the Southside Resident's Community Group on 26 May 2023 re: Permit Application 2022/23 (23 Dunbar Road, Traralgon)
A copy of the question responses can be viewed here.
More Information
Contact Planning Services on
Phone: 1300 367 700
Email: planningadmin@latrobe.vic.gov.au
Updated 18/04/2024
Description
Address: Brodribb Road, Hazelwood (previous Hazelwood Power Station).
Proposal: The proposed renewable energy zone is a type of power station, coordinating the delivery of energy from multiple large-sector generators, such as wind, solar, battery and other renewable energy sources to the grid.
It will involve developing the right energy transmission infrastructure (powerlines) and capacity to create a reliable energy system that connects to the National Energy Market (NEM).
Map:
Planning Status
Status: On 7 April 2023 the Minister for Planning determined that an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) will be required for the project. More information about the decision can be found at https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/referrals-and-decisions.
Planning Approval: Approval of the project will be done by the Minister for Planning through the EES process. This will include combined process of an EES, Planning Scheme Amendment and approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
27 March 2024 Announcement: Following the recent announcement of the Victorian Government’s study area for new transmission infrastructure development in Gippsland, AusNet does not intend to continue developing the GREZ project independently of VicGrid and will cease activities on the project until further notice.
AusNet supports the role of VicGrid in coordinating the development of new transmission infrastructure in Victoria.
More Information
|
Contact: AusNet |
Contact: VicGrid |
Description
Address: 240 & 300 Monash Way, Morwell.
Proposal: Use and development of a utility installation (Battery Energy Storage System).
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved.
Planning Approval: A Planning Permit was issued by the Minister for Planning on 12 November 2021 and minor Amendments to this permit were issued on 24 June 2022 and 9 May 2023 (permit number PA2101132). Plans have been endorsed to the permit.
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application is the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: Tilt Renewables
Phone: 1800 938 458
Email: latrobevalleybess@tiltrenewables.com
Description
Address: Bartons Lane, Loy Yang.
Proposal: Development of a utility installation (Battery Energy Storage System) and removal of native vegetation at Bartons Lane, Loy Yang.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved.
Planning Approval: A planning permit was issued by the Minister for Planning on 21 November 2021 (permit number PA2101310).
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application is the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: Tilt Renewables
Phone: 1800 938 458
Email: latrobevalleybess@tiltrenewables.com
Description
Address: Fourth Road, Hazelwood North.
Proposal: A Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) recycling facility located near Morwell will process 50,000 tonnes of spent lead acid batteries and recycle them into 28,000 tonnes of refined lead per year.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved.
Planning Approval: Amendment C129 was gazetted 14 January 2021, introducing an Incorporated Document, and Specific Controls Overlay Schedule 5 (SCO5) to allow land to be used and developed with ULAB recycling facility.
On 22 December 2021, Council endorsed all plans (Permit 2020/16) required under the Incorporated Document to allow the applicant to commence works.
More Information
Email: office.au@jschunxing.com
Phone: (02) 8335 0810
Description
Address: Frasers Lane, Glengarry North (corner Frasers Lane and Traralgon Maffra Road).
Proposal: Frasers Solar Farm proposed by South Energy will be located about 2km south of the township of Toongabbie across 110 hectares of land. It has a proposed capacity of up to 75 megawatts.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved.
Planning Approval: The Minister for Planning has issued an extended planning permit.
More Information
Contact: South Energy
Phone: (03) 8842 6888
Email: frasers@southenergy.com.au
Description
Address: Brodribb Road, Hazelwood, including the mine void, operational switchyard, decommissioned power station site, cooling pond and landfill/overburden dump areas.
Proposal: The Hazelwood Mine and Power Station closed in 2017, and works to rehabilitate the site occurred shortly after, including decommissioning and demolition of major infrastructure.
The Hazelwood Rehabilitation Project involves the decommissioning of remaining buildings, roads and infrastructure, earthworks to reprofile steep slopes, reinstating some water courses to a more natural alignment, and the proposed creation over time of a mine lake.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: An Environment Effects Statement (EES) is being prepared during 2022 and 2023, through technical assessments and consultation with local communities, Traditional Owners, regional stakeholders and regulators.
Planning Approval: The Minister for Planning will provide a final assessment of the EES, along with government agencies, which will decide whether to approve the Project under Victorian law.
More Information
Contact: ENGIE Australia and New Zealand (ENGIE)
Phone: (03) 5135 5000
Email: hazelwood.au@engie.com
Description
Address: 320 Tramway Road, Hazelwood North.
Proposal: The Magnesium metal production plant will harvest magnesium metal and other by-products from fly ash resource, which is a waste stream from brown coal power generation.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved. Production expected to start mid-2023.
Planning Approval: Planning Permit 2020/52 to use and develop land for industry (magnesium metal production facility), reduction of car parking and bicycle space requirements was approved 5 June 2020.
More Information
Contact: Latrobe Magnesium
Phone: (02) 9279 2033
Email: enquire@latrobemagnesium.com
Description
Address: Traralgon West Road, Maryvale.
Proposal: A proposed sand quarry with a total extraction area of 143.82 hectares, and site access provided via Jacks Track will include an office, weighbridge, amenities hut, workshop and fuel store will be developed where the site access road enters the Work Authority.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved. The Department for Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) have approved a Work Authority 'WA1515' for the sand quarry.
Planning Approval: Planning Permit 2021/356 for 'the Use and Development of land from Extractive Industry (Sand Quarry) and creation of access onto a Road in Transport Zone 2 at Traralgon West Road, Maryvale' was approved on 8th June 2022.
More Information
Contact: Latrobe Valley Sands
Phone: (03) 5174 1310
Description
Address: The Seadragon project is situated adjacent to oil and gas platforms in Bass Strait, off the Gippsland coast in Victoria, Australia.
Proposal: The Seadragon forms part of the Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Farm project. It offers the potential for oil and gas asset re-use, re-purposing, and new
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approvals and planning documents are currently being prepared including: Environmental Effects Statement (EES), Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Planning Approval: Not yet applied for.
More Information
Contact: Flotation Energy
Email: enquiries-Australia@flotationenergy.com
Description
Address: 436 & 545 Tramway Road, Hazelwood North.
Proposal: A solar energy facility including battery storage and transmission powerlines.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approved.
Planning Approval: The Minister for Planning approved a Planning Permit on 11 January 2022 (permit number PA2000928).
Note: The Responsible Authority for this application is the Minister for Planning as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.
More Information
Contact: ARP Australian Solar Pty Ltd (ARP)
Phone: (03) 9024 6200
Description
Address: Long Yang Power Station switchyard and Hazelwood Terminal Station (TBC).
Proposal: The Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm will include up to 200 turbines and is proposed to be located 7-25km off the south coast of Gippsland near towns such as Port Albert, McLoughlins Beach and Woodside Beach.
Map:
Planning Status
Status: Approvals and planning documents are currently being prepared including: Environmental Effects Statement (EES), Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Planning Approval: Not yet applied for.
More Information
Contact: Star of the South
Phone: 1800 340 340
Description
Address: Bonds Lane and Monash Way, Hazelwood North.
Proposal: Battery Energy Storage System to be located within the Jeerland Power Station site in Hazelwood North.
Planning Status
Status: Approved
Planning Approval: The Minister for Planning is the Responsible Authority for this application as per Clause 72.01 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme. A Planning Permit (PA2201792) was issued on 9 February 2023.
More Information
Contact: Energy Australia
Phone: 1800 574 947
Email: community.woreen@energyaustralia.com.au
Address: 10 English Street, Morwell
Proposal: Construction is underway on the new Morwell Ambulance Branch on English Street, Morwell. The multi-million-dollar branch will feature:
- A nine-bay garage for ambulances
- Eight rest and recline areas
- Training facilities
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Improved security and car parking.
Planning Status
Status: Construction is on track to be completed in late 2023.
Planning Approval: The Minister for Planning is the responsible authority under Clause 52.30 (State Projects) of the Latrobe Planning Scheme
More Information
Contact: Victorian Health Building Authority
Email: vhba@health.vic.gov.au