Statement on proposed battery storage facility in Doreen
Published on 13 October 2026
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 in late October 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 will be considered by the Minister for Planning under the Significant Economic Development provisions (Clause 53.22 of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme) at the request of the proponent (Turnball Renewables/BZ Renewables/Cogency Australia).
As part of the Ministerial planning permit process, 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 by the Minister’s office (Department of Transport and Planning).
This planning proposal has been listed for the hearing of submissions at Council’s November Planning and Consultation Committee meeting. Please note that Council will not be determining or forming a position on the proposal at this meeting, instead it is an opportunity for Council to hear the views of the community. The meeting will be held on:
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Date: Tuesday 10 November 2026
Time: Meeting commences at 7pm
Venue: Council Chamber, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough
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Members of the public are welcome to attend the Planning and Consultation Committee meeting. The meeting will also be live-streamed and can be watched online.
As a submitter, you can make a verbal presentation of up to 3 minutes to the Committee. Submitters must register their intention to address the Committee by 5pm the day prior to the meeting (Monday 9th November). No changes to your registration can be made after this time. Submitters can present to the Committee in person or via Zoom. Information regarding attendance options is available on Council’s website.
You can register your intention to address the Committee on Council’s website, by email Governance@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Governance team 9433 3718 during office hours. If you do not register your intention to address the Committee, you will not be able to speak at the meeting.
The Agenda for the Committee meeting including the Officer report will be available on Council’s website after 10am on Thursday 5 November.
Frequently asked questions
What is being proposed?
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.
Who is proposing the project?
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.
Has Council been informed about the proposal?
Yes. Council is aware of the proposal and met with representatives of the project team as part of a pre-application process.
What is the scale of the project?
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.
What planning controls apply to the site?
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.
Will Council assess the planning application?
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.
What role will Council play?
Council is not the Responsible Authority in making a decision and will instead, receive Notice of the application during the public notice period. Council will review the application and supporting technical reports and provide comments for the Minister’s consideration.
Has Council formed a position on the proposal?
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.
Will residents be able to comment on the proposal?
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.
Who will make the final decision?
The final decision will be made by the Minister for Planning.
Can Council or the community appeal the Minister's decision?
No. There are no third-party appeal rights for Council or community members in relation to the Minister's decision under this process.
What are the project's indicative timeframes?
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.
What happens next?
The proponent is currently undertaking technical assessments and community engagement before lodging an application with the Minister for Planning.
A community drop-in session was hosted by the proponent for 29 August 2026 at the Arthurs Creek Community Centre.
Once an application is lodged through the Ministerial planning process, it will be publicly advertised, referred to relevant authorities and Council, and assessed by the Minister for Planning before a decision is made.
What actions is Council taking to increase energy resilience in Nillumbik?
Upgrades to Hurstbridge Community Hub's energy system, which are nearing completion, will help maintain essential services during power outages, increase the use of renewable energy and provide public electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Once complete, Nillumbik will have three community energy resilience centres:
We also have an emergency resilience battery at the Diamond Creek Community Bank Stadium that can back up power supply when it’s operating as an emergency relief centre.
Read more: