Qld Govt announces new planning requirements for BESS projects

On 11 December 2025 the Queensland Government introduced new planning requirements for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.

As a result, the development application previously lodged with Gladstone Regional Council is now considered improperly made and will be resubmitted through the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) under the new framework.

We welcome these reforms, which establish clearer and more consistent standards for BESS developments and support responsible, transparent delivery with lasting community benefits.

Our team is reviewing the Rutherglen Battery against State Code 27 and is confident the existing reports and plans will meet the updated criteria with some minor amendments and additions.

We remain committed to progressing the project through the appropriate approvals process and will continue to keep the community informed.

Publication Notification Stage of the DA Assessment closes 19/12/25

The project is in the Public Notification stage of DA assessment and submissions close on 19 December 2025. Visit Gladstone Regional Council’s Development Application Tracking page for details on how to make a submission.

Submissions open soon for the Community Benefit Fund.

We’re pleased to announce that submissions will open soon for the Rutherglen Battery Community Benefit Fund (CBF).

Organisations applying will need to provide:

• A summary of the organisation's current activities;

• Project Summary and Cost and how the project will benefit the community; and

• Funding Breakdown (excluding GST) including estimated total cost of the project and the estimated amount of funding sought (If the funding sought does not cover the total cost, applicants must detail how the remaining funds will be secured).

We’re also interested to understand what the community would like the CBF to be directed towards:

• Community-wide events, youth activities and programs

• Educational programs/tours, resources, scholarships

• Initiatives promoting healthy living, health care, mental health care, or support during an emergency

• Seed planting, native wildlife protection, habitat conservation, land care

• Projects supporting First Nations education, health, culture, and wellbeing

• Music events, community festivals, gala nights, community lunches

• Projects that support and promote sporting and recreational activities

• Upgrading public community facilities, museums, wheelchair access.

Exciting New Chapter: AMPYR Australia Joins the Rutherglen Battery as Development Partner.

We are thrilled to announce a major development for the Rutherglen Battery as we welcome AMPYR Australia on board as our Development Partner. AMPYR Australia will be the future owner and developer of the project, bringing significant expertise and resources to help bring the Rutherglen Battery to fruition. This partnership is a huge step toward realising the project’s full potential.

• Current Owner (Pre-Approval): Gryphon Energy remains the legal owner of the project and the entity Red Hill Renewable Energy Pty Ltd (RHRE P/L). This ownership will continue throughout the Development Application (DA) process with the Gladstone Regional Council.

• Future Owner (Post-Approval): Once the DA is officially granted by the Council, which is anticipated to be in Q2 2026, AMPYR Australia will then assume full ownership of RHRE P/L and become the full owner and developer of the Rutherglen Battery.

This strategic partnership secures the project's long-term future and ensures we have the best resources available for its successful development. We look forward to this collaboration as we move through the approval process and into the construction phase.

Project Update: Rutherglen Battery Reaches Key Milestone

We are excited to share a major update on the progress of the Rutherglen Battery. The team has officially submitted the Development Application for a Material Change of Use (Battery Storage Facility and Substation) and Reconfiguring a Lot for the site located at 837 Red Hill Road, Bororen.

What This Means

The submission of the Planning Report, prepared by Gilvear Planning, marks a critical step forward for the project. This comprehensive document outlines all the necessary details for the proposed battery storage facility, providing Gladstone Regional Council with the information needed for review.

The Planning Report includes extensive supporting attachments, such as the:

• Traffic Impact Assessment

• Noise Impact Assessment

• Bushfire Mitigation Report

• Community Consultation Letter

These attachments demonstrate our commitment to thoroughly planning for and addressing all potential impacts of the facility within the community and environment.

Next Steps

The application is now under review by the Gladstone Regional Council. This phase includes a detailed assessment of all technical documents and will incorporate any required community feedback as part of the formal development application process.

We appreciate the community's ongoing interest and look forward to providing further updates as we move closer to approval.