❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) regarding fire risks associated with the Kwinana and Collie big battery projects. DFES confirms engagement, advice provision, and risk management protocols.
AnsweredQoN 1649Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier's media statement of 19 September 2023 titled "$1 billion contracts awarded for Kwinana and Collie big batteries", and I ask: (a) what advice, planning, or engagement has the Department of Fire and Emergency Services provided in respect to the potential fire risk of these projects; (b) is there any requirement for a fire suppression system, or other risk mitigation, to be put in place for these projects, and if so, please provide detail; (c) what risk mitigation is required for these projects in respect to external threats, such as bushfire; (d) given the potential risk associated with big battery projects, does the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) maintain a risk register for these types of projects, and does DFES provide guidance material to proponents on how to mitigate their fire risk; and (e) if yes to (d), please table any relevant documents?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 November 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
7 days
(a) Certain buildings must be submitted to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) for assessment against the operational requirements of the FES Commissioner as mandated by the Building Regulations 2012 . DFES encourages consultation to discuss land use planning and design elements of large-scale projects, such as the Kwinana and Collie battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.
DFES received a referral for the “Collie big battery” proposal as it is situated in a bushfire prone area and provided comments about compliance with State Planning Policy 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas , fire protection systems and equipment. DFES has engaged with Synergy and Western Power since April 2021 to discuss risks and develop response plans for the Kwinana BESS.
(b) The National Construction Code requires providing open yard protection with adequate firefighting water supply. DFES may provide mitigation advice on asset protection zones in bushfire prone areas.
(c) State Planning Policy (SPP) 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas may require a project to prepare bushfire and risk management plans with their planning application. DFES encourages design and project teams to implement risk mitigation measures defined in the Victoria Country Fire Authority Design Guidelines and Model Requirements Renewable Energy Facilities.
(d) Yes. DFES maintains information on individual high risk and critical sites throughout Western Australia and if requested DFES provides guidance material for Renewable Energy Facilities.
(e) See tabled paper no ####
DFES received a referral for the “Collie big battery” proposal as it is situated in a bushfire prone area and provided comments about compliance with State Planning Policy 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas , fire protection systems and equipment. DFES has engaged with Synergy and Western Power since April 2021 to discuss risks and develop response plans for the Kwinana BESS.
(b) The National Construction Code requires providing open yard protection with adequate firefighting water supply. DFES may provide mitigation advice on asset protection zones in bushfire prone areas.
(c) State Planning Policy (SPP) 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas may require a project to prepare bushfire and risk management plans with their planning application. DFES encourages design and project teams to implement risk mitigation measures defined in the Victoria Country Fire Authority Design Guidelines and Model Requirements Renewable Energy Facilities.
(d) Yes. DFES maintains information on individual high risk and critical sites throughout Western Australia and if requested DFES provides guidance material for Renewable Energy Facilities.
(e) See tabled paper no ####
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