Dear supporters,
It's nearly three months since we heard on social media of Malcolm Turnbull’s shocking plan to apply for "Middle Hut BESS", in September 2026.
Since then our community has told the developers that this is not the right place for an industrial scale battery energy storage plant.
Next week is another critical milestone as Nillumbik Council hold a meeting to gauge community views about the BESS. The meeting is set up for Tuesday next week.
Date: Tuesday 10th November 2026
Time: Meeting commences at 7.00pm
Venue: Council Chamber, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough
To speak at the meeting you must tell council by 5pm on Monday 9th November that you will speak.
To register, email Governance@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or phone the Governance team 9433 3718 during office hours.
This is a critical chance to seek council support for the community position of opposition to the BESS. It is an important chance to formally register our concerns. If the application is submitted as intended under the Development Facilitation Program it will go direct to the Planning Minister with no chance for review by VCAT.
Please trust yourself in writing a script or talking points for your submission. Authenticity and a personal viewpoint are what matters.
- Some of the things that you could raise in your submission include:
- Fire risk
- Noise pollution
- Impact on wildlife and biodiversity
- Loss of agricultural land
- Breach of Green Wedge planning principles
- Impact on local and downstream waterways
- Loss of long protected views (enjoyed by all and used many film productions)
…………….
A few links that might help with ideas are below:
Fire risk –
Fire Issues for the Proposed Middle Hut BESS https://doi.org/10.26188/34687452
Noise pollution –
https://kingswaysolarcommunityaction.co.uk/solar-farm-noise-pollution-uk/
Noise is said to impact those within 5 kilometres of a BESS site (all of Doreen, Arthurs Creek, Nutfield, Yan Yean, parts of Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and beyond [especially with a hilltop site]
Impact on wildlife and biodiversity –
Nillumbik Shire Sites of Significance: Site 52 Stewart Ponds Creek https://doi.org/10.26188/33399784
Sarah Hunter’s wildlife posts at https://www.facebook.com/SrahAlways/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DuQPAwU25/ “The neighbours of the proposed BESS (The Wombats)
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19qv3Ej19v/ “The neighbours of the proposed BESS (Little Pied Cormorant)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EzVuBESXW/ “The neighbours of the proposed BESS (White Kangaroo)
Breach of Green Wedge planning principles – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GmAkV7UAx/
https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Develop/Planning-for-Nillumbiks-future/Our-Green-Wedge
Impact on local and downstream waterways –
Middle Hut BESS site within Arthurs Creek Catchment https://doi.org/10.26188/34762851
Arthurs Creek Catchment (Middle Yarra) Via Yarra to Bay with Middle Hut BESS site https://doi.org/10.26188/34762998
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-19/melbourne-city-yarra-river-swim-water-access-2050/107282890
(with a shoutout to our hardworking friends at Arthurs Creek Green Wedge Alliance )