Save Somerset - Stop the battery storage development

Save Somerset is a local action group brought together by residents of Kilcoy and surrounding areas, some 100 km north-west of Brisbane, to oppose the planned Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on farmland in Hazeldean, just outside Kilcoy. If the facility goes ahead, it will be one of the biggest of its type in Queensland and poses a significant threat to the health and welfare of residents both locally and downstream as far as Brisbane and beyond. The health of pets, livestock and wildlife will be similarly threatened.

Our rural area of pristine natural beauty and close-knit community spirit is under threat because of the propensity of lithium-ion battery storage facilities of the type proposed to catch fire and leak highly toxic materials into both waterways and the atmosphere. Fires in these facilities are extremely difficult to contain. There can be little doubt that this facility threatens to imperil our environment. This will affect the homes and livelihoods of all: families, retirees and farmers, as well as threatening the welfare of livestock and wildlife in the area. Even worse, the proposed site is very close to creeks that flow into Lake Somerset, just 2.5 km away, that is a major source of water for Brisbane and many smaller communities downstream. Any leakage of toxic materials into these waterways will quickly pollute water supplies.

Our Action Group aims to collect and disperse information regarding this looming crisis to our fellow residents. Up until this point the Action Group has been self-funded. But, as we move forward in our fight, outside assistance will be greatly appreciated. Any funds donated will be used to facilitate our awareness campaigns: signage, printing, paper, laminating, bumper stickers, etc and, further down the road, legal action if required. It will be a long road ahead of us to put a stop to this threat to our beloved homes and town. It will, of course, be a costly battle.

Our concern does not stem from resistance against progress but from the desire to maintain the safe and environmentally secure homes and land we've thrived in. We ask for your help to stop the installation of this hazardous facility in our precious area. Please donate anything you can to help us save Somerset and our way of life.

www.savesomerset.org