The draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) has been prepared for the Deniliquin Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project.
Over the life of the project, financial contributions to council could total more than $1.4 million (and adjusted annually for CPI).
A state significant development, the Deniliquin BESS received development approval from the NSW Independent Planning Commission in January 2026.
The project is proposed to be located about 8km south-east of Deniliquin on the Riverina Hwy, adjacent the existing 132 kilovolt Deniliquin substation.
It involves the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of a battery energy storage facility with a delivery capacity of around 120 megawatts and a storage capacity of about 480 megawatt‑hours, designed to transfer electricity directly into the local network via the existing substation.
Council said the VPA is a standard part of major development processes in the NSW Southern Renewable Energy Zone.
It outlines the contributions a developer agrees to make to council on behalf of the community, along with the rules for how those funds can be used.
These agreements help ensure that when significant infrastructure projects move ahead, local communities share in the benefits.
The draft VPA for the Deniliquin BESS has been developed through extensive negotiations between council and Avenis Energy, supported by external legal advice and guided by council’s Community Benefits Framework, adopted in December 2025.
The terms within the agreement reflect an in‑principle understanding reached between council and Avenis Energy in 2025, now ready for community consideration through the exhibition process.
Edward River Mayor Ashley Hall said the draft agreement represents a strong outcome for Edward River residents:
“This VPA ensures our community receives real and lasting benefits from the Deniliquin Battery Energy Storage System project.
“We encourage residents to read the draft agreement and share their feedback.
“Community input is vital to ensuring the agreement reflects our local priorities and maximises community benefit.”
The draft VPA and feedback form are available at https://www.haveyoursay.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/deniliquin-bess-vpa-exhibition.
Hard copies can also be viewed at council’s Customer Service Centre in Cressy St, Deniliquin.
Feedback must be provided by 5pm on April 22, 2026.
Submissions can be made online via the portal above, or written submissions can be delivered by mail or to the customer service centre in person.
After consideration of feedback received during the exhibition period, and subject to any approvals required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, council will be authorised to execute the VPA.
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