Client: Equis Energy
Location: Calala, NSW
Date: 2022 – ongoing
Services provided
• Biodiversity Constraints Assessment
• Targeted Surveys and Vegetation Mapping
• BDAR Biodiversity Development Assessment report
• Historical Heritage Impact Statement (HAIS)
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment
• Unexpected Finds Protocol
Background
Biosis was commissioned by Equis Energy to provide environmental consulting services and archaeological heritage services for the Calala Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Calala near Tamworth.
The Project involves the construction and operation of a large-scale BESS with a capacity to provide construction and operation of a BESS with an estimated capacity of up to 300 Megawatts (MW) / 1200 Megawatt hours (MWh). The BESS will connect to the nearby TransGrid Tamworth 330 kV substation via an underground transmission line.
Ecology Outcomes
The ecological field investigations for the Biodiversity Development Assessment Report recorded 14 hectares of native vegetation within the project area, representing two plant community types (PCT) and two threatened ecological communities (TECs).
Avoidance of sensitive areas and minimising impact on threatened fauna and flora was achieved for most of the impacted native species, with some sections requiring offsets. The offset process was also managed by Biosis.
Aboriginal Heritage Outcomes
Biosis Heritage Consultants completed the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) and undertook background research on the proposed study area, located on Gomeroi Country in 2023. Key considerations included over 100 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites within 8.5 kilometres of the site. However, none of these registered sites were located within the project area.
Biosis contacted all relevant Aboriginal stakeholder groups by invitation and via a public notice. Twelve stakeholders registered their interest in a community consultation process and provided their response to the significance of the project site for traditional Aboriginal owners.
Information about the heritage value of the general area was provided and included in the ACHA. This information included important cultural (social) heritage values supplied by stakeholder groups such as the significance of the word Calala, associated with the Peel River.
Archaeological surveys were undertaken in 2022, and a second additional survey was undertaken in 2023. No areas of (archaeological) sensitivity were identified likely due to the high levels of historical disturbance of the property.
In addition, as part of the approval requirements Equis were supplied an ‘unexpected finds’ protocol for workers on the site to prevent unintentional harm to Aboriginal artefacts. The protocol helped staff understand how to identify items of cultural value, including photographic examples, and when to stop work and seek advice.