Council is aware of a proposal to develop a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land in Middle Hut Road, Doreen. A planning permit application is expected to be lodged with the Minister for Planning next month seeking approval for the project.
The site is located in the Green Wedge Zone, is partially affected by Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 1 (ESO1), and is within a designated bushfire prone area and an area of aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity.
This proposal will not be assessed through a Nillumbik planning permit application. Instead, it is expected to be considered by the Minister for Planning under the Significant Economic Development provisions (Clause 53.22 of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme).
As part of that process, the application will likely be referred to Council for comment.
The proposal will need to be publicly advertised, giving residents and other interested parties an opportunity to make a submission or object. Those submissions will be considered as part of the Minister's assessment.
The final decision will be made by the Minister for Planning. There are no third-party appeal rights for either Council or the community in relation to the Minister's decision under this process.
Council has not formed a position on the proposal at this stage. Any submission from Council would be based on an assessment of the application and supporting technical reports once they are formally referred to Council.
Frequently asked questions
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is proposed for land at 260 and 340 Middle Hut Road, Doreen.
The proposal includes a utility-scale battery facility, a 220kV terminal station, underground electricity infrastructure, water storage and firefighting infrastructure, access tracks, operational facilities and associated infrastructure.
The proposed development footprint is approximately 14 hectares within a larger 82-hectare site currently used for agricultural grazing.
The project is being promoted by Turnbull Renewables and BZ Renewables, with planning and engagement support from Cogency Australia.
The proponent for the application is Middle Hut Storage Pty Ltd as trustee for the Middle Hut Storage Trust.
Yes. Council is aware of the proposal and met with representatives of the project team as part of a pre-application process.
The proposal is currently described as a utility-scale BESS with a capacity of approximately 290MW / 1160MWh, although the final capacity is yet to be confirmed.
The site is wholly within the Green Wedge Zone.
The site is also partially affected by Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 1 (ESO1), which seeks to protect and enhance important habitat and biodiversity values.
In addition, the site:
- Is within a designated Bushfire Prone Area (it is not subject to a Bushfire Management Overlay)
- Contains areas of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Sensitivity (it is not affected by a Heritage Overlay)
Requires a mandatory Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP), which is currently being prepared.
No. This proposal is expected to be considered by the Minister for Planning under the Significant Economic Development provisions (Clause 53.22 of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme).
Council will not be the decision-maker for the application.
The application will be referred to Council for comment as part of the Minister's assessment process.
Council will review the application and supporting technical reports and provide comments for the Minister's consideration.
Council has not formed a position on the proposal at this stage.
Any Council submission would be informed by an assessment of the application and the supporting technical reports once they are formally referred to Council.
It is expected that the proposal will be publicly advertised and residents, landowners and other interested parties will have the opportunity to make a submission or object.
Those submissions will be considered as part of the Minister's assessment process.
Questions about this process can be directed to Cogency Australia.
The final decision will be made by the Minister for Planning.
No. There are no third-party appeal rights for Council or community members in relation to the Minister's decision under this process.
The proponent has indicated the following timeframes:
- Planning application lodged: September 2026
- Construction commencement: Q1 2028
- Construction period: 18-24 months
- Operations commence: Q4 2029
- Operational life: approximately 20 years.
The proponent is currently undertaking technical assessments and community engagement before lodging an application with the Minister for Planning.
A community drop-in session has been advertised by the proponent for 29 August 2026 at the Arthurs Creek Community Centre.
Once an application is lodged, it will be publicly advertised, referred to relevant authorities and Council, and assessed by the Minister for Planning before a decision is made.
