Egans Hill BESS - Qld
Rockhampton Region | Queensland
150 MW | 900 MWh | 6 Hours
Egans Hill BESS is a proposed utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System near Gracemere, approximately seven kilometres south of Rockhampton.
The project has been carefully located within an established electricity and transport infrastructure corridor, providing a strong connection opportunity while reducing potential impacts on surrounding landowners and the community.
THE PROJECT
Egans Hill BESS is proposed to provide:
150 MW
Power Capacity
900 MWh
Energy Storage
6 HOURS
Storage Duration
The facility will store electricity from the grid when supply is available and dispatch it when required, providing flexible capacity to support the reliability and efficient operation of the regional electricity network.
Indicative render only
Indicative render only
STRATEGIC LOCATION
Careful site selection is fundamental to Silo Energy's approach.
Egans Hill was selected following consideration of electricity infrastructure, surrounding land use, access, environmental characteristics and separation from neighbouring residences.
The site is:
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Located between two existing electricity substations (Egans Hill and Rocklands), enabling an efficient grid connection. Powerlink Queensland has confirmed the connection is viable.
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The facility footprint is not mapped as bushfire-prone under the State planning framework, and flood modelling indicates that the proposed facility footprint is not subject to material flood risk.
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Not classified as Class A or B Agricultural Land.
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Over 800 metres from the nearest residential dwelling.
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Adjacent to the Burnett Highway, an existing freight railway line, and a high voltage transmission corridor consistent with the industrial infrastructure corridor in the area.
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No heritage sites or significant ecological values on the subject site
This combination of existing infrastructure, suitable land and separation from surrounding residences provides a strong foundation for the project.
COMMUNITY & REGIONAL BENEFIT
Silo Energy is engaging with neighbouring landowners, the Rockhampton community and Council as the project progresses.
The Social Impact Assessment will consider local employment and procurement, housing and accommodation, community wellbeing and other potential social impacts.
A Community Benefit Agreement will also be developed with Rockhampton Regional Council as part of the State approval process.
Our objective is to ensure that the benefits and impacts of the project are considered appropriately and that commitments made through the development process are clear and accountable.
DEVELOPING THE RIGHT PROJECT
Our approach is to reduce potential impacts through site selection and project design from the outset.
For Egans Hill, the location between existing substations and major transport and electricity infrastructure, together with substantial separation from nearby residences, has enabled many potential impacts to be addressed through the location of the project itself.
Independent technical assessments are being used to refine the project design and ensure remaining impacts are appropriately managed.
The Site
The Project is located at 54077 Burnett Highway, Gracemere (Lot 30 SP254344), bounded by the Burnett Highway and the Aurizon freight rail network.
Noise
An independent Noise Impact Assessment was completed. Acoustic modelling confirmed that noise from the facility will comply with Queensland's Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy requirements at all identified sensitive receptors, across day, evening, and night periods. No acoustic attenuation infrastructure is required due to the separation distance from residential properties.
Visual Amenity
A Visual Impact Assessment was completed. The facility is assessed as having low visual impact due to its location between two existing substations and high-voltage transmission lines, its setback from residential properties, and its distance from public viewpoints. Landscaping will provide a substantive visual buffer from the Burnett Highway following construction.
Safety & Emergency Management
A comprehensive Emergency Management Plan was developed in consultation with the Queensland Fire Department (QFD). The plan details procedures for all identified hazard scenarios. See Battery Safety for detailed information on the specific technology being used.
Traffic
A Traffic Impact Assessment was completed. R Pierce Road will be upgraded (with the first 20 metres sealed) to manage any dust or material being dragged onto the Burnett Highway. Construction traffic management measures are included in the assessment.
Environment & Stormwater
The site is designed with grass swales surrounding the facility that collect and transport stormwater to a vegetated detention basin, mitigating any increase in runoff.
The Project must adhere to the strict performance outcomes outlined in the State Code 27: Battery storage facility development.
Battery Safety
Egans Hill BESS is proposed to use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology. The facility will incorporate multiple layers of monitoring, protection and emergency response, including: Continuous battery monitoring and automated shutdown systems Fire detection and suppression systems Dedicated emergency access and water supply Managed vegetation and asset protection areas Emergency management procedures developed in consultation with the Queensland Fire Department The project will be required to meet the applicable Queensland planning, fire safety and technical standards for large-scale battery storage facilities.
Multiple layers of protection on-site
24/7 remote monitoring with automatic alarms and shutdown systems Continuous temperature and voltage monitoring across all units Fire detection and suppression systems in every battery container Emergency ventilation systems Dedicated on-site fire water supply Permanent Asset Protection Zone (APZ) established around all battery infrastructure Managed low-fuel area surrounding the facility Site layout designed to allow emergency vehicle access at all times Emergency Management Plan developed in consultation with QFD
Approval and Planning Status
PROJECT HISTORY The Egans Hill BESS project was initially assessed as a development application by Rockhampton Regional Council. During that process, the application was placed on public notification and submissions were received from the community, Council, and other stakeholders. That feedback informed a number of design refinements, which are detailed below. In December 2025, the Queensland Government introduced State Code 27: Battery storage facility development, which transferred assessment responsibility for battery storage projects of this scale from local government to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA). The project is now being assessed under this new state pathway. The technical work and community engagement completed under the previous process informs the current assessment.
Current Assessment Process
Step 1: Social Impact Assessment (Lodged) Silo Energy has completed and lodged the Social Impact Assessment with Rockhampton Regional Council for consideration. The assessment examines the project’s potential positive and negative effects on the local community and identifies measures for managing those impacts. Community and stakeholder feedback received during the engagement process has informed the assessment and its proposed management measures. Silo Energy will continue to keep the community informed at key project milestones and following significant events.
Step 2: Community Benefit Agreement (upcoming) Before the development application is finalised, Silo Energy will negotiate a Community Benefit Agreement with Rockhampton Regional Council. This agreement will identify the specific, legally binding commitments Silo Energy will make to the Rockhampton region. Community Benefits Agreements can include: Local content commitments Financial contributions to community infrastructure or services Community investment programs Environmental or social programs The specific commitments for the Egans Hill project will be developed in consultation with Rockhampton Regional Council. The Social Impact Assessment currently underway will directly inform what those commitments should address.
Step 3: Development approval decision SARA will make a decision on the development application, potentially subject to conditions. All applications go through a statutory public notification period, and community members can provide feedback through the SARA notifications portal: https://www.planning.qld.gov.au/planning-framework/state-assessment-and-referral-agency/sara-submissions-portal
COMMUITY UPDATE
We will publish project updates and community information here as the development progresses.
These updates may include information on planning, technical studies, community consultation, project milestones and other matters relevant to the local community.
Latest Updated