Assessing the Visual Compatibility of the Elaine Battery Energy Storage System

Orbit conducted a comprehensive Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for the proposed Elaine Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to determine its visual compatibility and regulatory compliance. The assessment synthesised established national and international guidelines to evaluate the project's impact across four key pillars: the physical design of the project, relevant state and local policies, the surrounding community, and the specific site characteristics in the Moorabool Shire. By systematically addressing local receptor sensitivity, viewing opportunities, and cumulative visual effects alongside existing infrastructure, the report provided a thorough merits assessment to guide the planning application.

Through rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis, the assessment established that both the baseline landscape and receptor sensitivities in the area were low. The analysis formulated a Visual Resource Management (VRM) class rating, determining that the catchment area had a high acceptable magnitude of change. Ultimately, the LVIA evaluated visual situations and degrees of contrast to demonstrate that the project's actual magnitude of change would be low (1.8), concluding that the Elaine BESS successfully achieves visual compatibility and integrates effectively with the adjacent wind farm and terminal station.

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