Disappointed with council’s decision on community battery

How sad. On Wednesday evening, October 25, I watched sadly as Narrabri Shire Council finally quashed a long-running, positive community-developed and supported project, similar to projects that 400 other councils across Australia have enthusiastically embraced.

The funding for this project was to be provided by the Commonwealth Community Batteries for Household Solar Program, which is currently installing 400 batteries providing shared storage for households across Australia.

The Narrabri Community Battery project was to be a component of a larger project located on the corner of Doyle and Barwan Streets.

It combined the already installed electric vehicle charging infrastructure, proposed vehicle shade structures topped by solar panels, and the proposed Community Battery adorned with its wonderful mural, which would store excess solar energy, to be sold on, monies from which then credited to community groups and activities.

This project has provided many events and activities empowering participants with knowledge, and subsequent opportunities and inspiration for involvement in not only saving energy and money, but managing the climate change impacts on our communities, families, grandchildren, the world and life ahead.

With council staff investigations concluding the alternate Community Battery site at the Namoi Street Saleyards as unsuitable, and a subsequent thorough unsuccessful search by council staff for any other suitable council-owned land with infrastructure to support the Community Battery installation, the original site was deemed the only site suitable.

Narrabri Shire Council then voted not to proceed with a licence agreement for the proposed Community Battery site.

The proposal was valiantly supported by two council members but the negative vote was disappointingly aroused by opinion based on part truths, misinformation and emotive language discouraging any positive votes.

What a massive missed opportunity to show positive leadership and inspiration for all – our businesses, schools, organisations and individuals, including our hopeful future young leaders – instead displaying reactionary resistance to aspirational efforts and change. So Sad.