Tuesday, 8 September 2026

 Wayne FARNHAM (Narracan) presented a petition bearing 274 signatures:

Issue:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly the rollout of proposed large scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in regional communities.

Of particular concern are the projects named Bunyip North BESS and AMPYR/ Wimpole Battery.

Local communities have not had an opportunity to provide substantial feedback on these projects, and as a result, are deeply concerned with the impact they will have on local prime agricultural land.

There are a range of operational risks including site establishment, installation, commissioning, operation, decommissioning, remediation and rehabilitation phases of the project. Each of these phases pose unacceptable risk to the local environment and surrounding areas.

Action:

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly calls on the Premier, Minister for Energy and Minister for Planning to immediately intervene to put a stop to these projects, to ensure our prime agricultural farmland and Green Wedge Zones are protected.

Ordered that petition be considered tomorrow.