Client Project:
Pine Lodge 5MW Solar Farm and Battery
Location: Pine Lodge, VIC
Project Duration: May 2019 – March 2023
Services Delivered: Town Planning, Surveying, Civil Engineering and Project Management
Project Overview
Development of the Pine Lodge solar farm and battery included 18,278 solar panels, which was supplemented by 4 batteries which provide storage and use for peak demand (typically in the evening).
In conjunction with our client, CS&A was involved in the initial site scoping, pre-application consultation, briefing and coordination of specialist sub-consultants, along with project management and client advice.
As the lead project consultant, CS&A was responsible for managing the town planning process, right up to design and handover to the client’s chosen construction contractor.
Project Timeline:
- June 2019 – Planning application lodged with Council
- October 2019 – Planning permit issued
- November 2019 – Planning permit amended to include internal storage capacity via batteries
- December 2020 – Further facility reconfiguration to implement new technology.
- February 2021 – Detailed engineering design work submitted and approved by Council.
- March 2023 – Finalisation of layout and construction commencement.
Our Role
We provided a comprehensive suite of services across all critical stages of development:
Town Planning
- Site feasibility analysis and community consultation
- Briefing and engagement of specialist environmental and technical consultants
- Coordination of planning permit application and authority liaison
- Post planning permit amendments
- Handover of planning approval and documents to design team.
Surveying
- Feature and level surveys for design input
- Preparation of plan of existing conditions
Civil Engineering Management
- Design and documentation of drainage, roads and earthworks.
- Final authority approvals and approval of detailed design.
Project Highlights
- Planning approval received within 132 days of engagement. This timeframe included pre-application consultation, sub-consultant briefing, preparation and submission of application to Council, exhibition and referral of application and issue of planning permit.
- Post planning approval, the facility saw further inclusion of new technologies as they became available, warranting a series of amendments to the planning permit. These new technologies included new batteries, inverters and more efficient panels.
Outcome
The Pine Lodge solar farm has been operational since late 2023, and includes a 2 hour, 5MW battery storage – providing available renewable energy for use during peak demand hours.
This footprint of the facility is less than 15 hectares and provides a supplementary annual income for the landholder’s farm, with the farmer continuing to farm right up the fence of the facility.