Planning and approvals
The site is zoned Farming Zone (FZ) and is currently used for broadacre grazing. The farming business includes mixed grazing and cropping.
Initial investigations suggest the site is free from environmental constraints and is suitable for a BESS.
While the land sits within a Bushfire Prone Area, it is not subject to a Bushfire Management Overlay, which applies only to areas of higher bushfire risk.
Engagement with local Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades in Darlington, Dundonnell, Derrinallum and Mortlake has been prioritised to ensure best-practice fire management.
The site is located on the edge of the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SWREZ), identified in VicGrid’s Draft Victorian Transmission Plan (2025). The Mortlake region is already a key hub for renewable energy, home to several major projects including the Darlington and Mount Fyans Wind Farms.
Zoning & overlays
Planning and approvals
Having completed several technical assessments, including traffic, fire risk, and visual impact, we lodged the planning permit application with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) in late December 2025.
After some requests for further information, DTP is now satisfied that the application can be placed on public exhibition for 28 days, allowing formal submissions to be made.
DTP have instructed us to issue formal notice of the advertising period via the Mortlake Dispatch and letters to properties within 1 km of the BESS.
The Project is also currently progressing through the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act referral process, to determine if it is a controlled action. You can review the referral here: https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/
The Project will also require other approvals, including grid connection.
The project team is committed to ensuring the proposal considers, addresses and mitigates relevant considerations and risks.
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An assessment of the practicality of the proposal by analysing technical, environmental, economic and operational factors.
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Undertake specialist investigations to inform siting and a concept plan. Finalise this supporting information to seek permits and approvals.
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Submit applications for approvals that authorise the proposal and ensure finance and insurance can be obtained.
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Liaise with the Department of Transport and Planning to secure planning approval. A planning permit will contain multiple conditions for additional detailed design work to be completed.
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Grid connection approval is required from VicGrid before any project can connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
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Final detailed design work, partnership with a developer, and site mobilisation.
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Implement construction risk mitigation measures or conditions that are part of the planning and building permits.
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Implement any other voluntary risk mitigation measures that form part of the overall approach to the BESS.
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The formal and systematic shutdown of the operation, or recommissioning the site for future use. Exact timing is unknown, with the project expected to operate for decades.
Following the November information day, the project team incorporated some changes to the design layout based on feedback.
These changes included:
Increasing the distance between the BESS area and Darlington-Terang Road,
Additional ‘bare earth’ fire breaks around the BESS area,
Consideration of an earth mound within the landscaping area to reduce views, and
A new crossover at the northern end of the project area to reduce the distance vehicles will travel along Darlington-Terang Road.
