Mt Fox BESS
The Mt. Fox community recently won a legal challenge against the Mt. Fox BESS (Battery Energy Storage System).
The case involved the community-backed Michael Creek Valley Action Group (and local property owners) fighting a development permit granted to Mt Fox BESS Pty Ltd (managed by global energy enterprise TagEnergy). The project included the construction of a 300MW/600 MWh grid battery.
Details
Key Elements of the Case
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Lack of Community Consultation: Local residents and property owners filed formal objections to the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, which resulted in an appeal against the Council's decision to approve the development. The community argued that the Queensland state government ran "roughshod" over the public by designating the massive facility as a "code-assessed" development, which effectively stripped away mandatory community consultation processes.
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Environmental & Zonal Concerns: Landowners objected to the industrialisation of the rural landscape. Main points of contention included potential chemical runoff into the headwaters of the Burdekin River, extensive land clearing, degradation of native habitats, and the fear that the 6-hectare battery site will expand into a sprawling industrial park.
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Safety and Bushfire Risks: Because grid-scale lithium-ion battery projects pose severe thermal runaway risks, the approval process has mandated heavy regulatory oversight. Before structural work begins, developers are legally required to finalise and clear a strict Emergency Management Plan (EMP) and Fire Risk Management Plan (FRMP) with the Queensland Fire Department.