.Transport for NSW has outlined traffic issues arising from the proposed development of a big battery at Colongra.
It was one of 13 submissions from NSW Government agencies, one submission from Central Coast Council and seven community submissions received during the public exhibition period late last year.
Both Transport for NSW and Council wanted more traffic studies done and questioned the impact on a couple of intersections, as well as on traffic going to Koala Park recreational area and both wanted details on heavy vehicle routes.
TfNSW said the traffic counts undertaken for the development were noted to be a one‐day count on a Thursday only.
“It is unclear if the traffic counts collected, would have sufficiently captured any peak traffic activity generated by the Koala Park venue,” TfNSW said.
“Further investigations are required to determine the peak activity periods of that development and how such traffic may, in a worst‐case scenario, impact the peak traffic movements of the proposed development at the key intersections, in particular, Scenic Drive / Station Road intersection.”
But in response, Energy Co said it did not consider that additional analysis was warranted.
It said peak construction activity was expected to occur in morning and afternoon periods on a weekday with only a half day on Saturday.
“Koala Park comprises two tennis courts, an oval and a kiosk and is unlikely to be a major trip generator,” Energy Co said.
“As with most recreation spaces, the peak activity associated with Koala Park is not expected to coincide with the peak periods of road network or project construction activity.’’
It said permits would be obtained as required for OSOM (Oversize over mass) truck movements once details were confirmed by the appointed construction contractor.
“The scheduling of OSOM movements is not currently known, but efforts will be made to minimise noise impacts to adjoining areas during transportation. Any conditions of OSOM permits will be complied with,” Energy Co said.
Koala Park also has a disc golf course and behind the kiosk and toilets, a site for 12 or so caravans with associated concrete pads and electricity but access to the area is closed off. The park once also had a miniature railway and still boasts a station which has now become part of a variety of barbecue and picnic areas with tables and chairs in the shade provided by stands of trees.
Council stated that, as the Roads Authority, it required finalisation of all traffic-related documentation prior to the commencement of any works on site, including a Dilapidation report.
In response, Energy Co said an overarching project environmental management strategy addressing the construction, operation and future decommissioning and rehabilitation stages of the project would be developed and implemented including a number of issue-specific subplans (including traffic) and that the information requested by Council would be included within the CTMP (Construction Traffic Management Plan).
Energy Co wrote a 117-page response to all the submissions written about the company’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and it is available to be read on the NSW Planning Portal.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) noted that the project did not appear to require an environment protection licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
“The EPA will therefore not have an ongoing role in licensing the facility, if approved,” the EPA submission said.
Fire and Rescue NSW in its submission said that in its experience Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities posed special problems of firefighting and special hazards existed that may require additional fire safety and management measures.
FRNSW made a number of recommendations including that a comprehensive Fire Safety Study (FSS) be developed.
The NSW Government is developing, through EnergyCo, the Waratah Super Battery to ensure NSW continues to have reliable, affordable energy supplies following the planned closure of the Eraring Power Station in 2025.
The battery will be built at the former Munmorah power station site.
It is a State SIgnificant project and final approval comes from the Minister for Planning.
