A $500 million battery storage giant, backed by former PM Malcolm Turnbull’s company, is set to ignite controversy in bushfire-prone Melbourne’s outer northeast. The Middle Hut BESS project—designed to power 90,000 homes—targets a protected green wedge teeming with native wildlife and cultural heritage, sparking fears of industrialization and environmental harm. Residents worry the facility’s placement near high-voltage lines and creek ecosystems could disrupt fragile habitats and amplify fire risks already making insurance hard to secure. While Turnbull Renewables insists on rigorous safety assessments and community engagement, locals brace for a public hearing as the state government prepares to review the proposal—with construction slated for 2028 and full operation by 2029.
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