These are not Muswellbrook Shire Council development applications. Council is not the consent authority and will not determine whether these projects are approved.
Three State Significant Development applications affecting the Muswellbrook Shire and surrounding Upper Hunter area are currently on public exhibition through the NSW Government’s Major Projects Planning Portal.
The applications are being exhibited as part of the NSW Government’s State Significant Development (SSD) assessment process. The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, or the Independent Planning Commission, will determine the applications.
Community members can view the application documents and make a submission directly through the NSW Government’s Major Projects Planning Portal during the relevant exhibition periods.
State Significant Development public exhibitions
TopApplication: SSD-81555720
Location: Off Sandy Creek Road
Submissions close: 13 October 2026The proposed McCullys Gap Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) includes:
- a 400 megawatt battery energy storage system with a four-hour duration, providing 1,600 megawatt hours of energy storage
- associated power controllers, transformers, switchgear and safety systems
- a project substation
- an approximately 800-metre transmission line and associated infrastructure connecting the project substation to the existing Muswellbrook 330 kilovolt substation.
The application will be determined by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces or the Independent Planning Commission, not Muswellbrook Shire Council.
For further information, to view the application documents or make a submission, visit the NSW Government Major Projects Planning Portal:
Application: SSD-73123714
Location: Off Albano Road
Submissions close: 12 October 2026The proposed Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Stage 2 includes:
- up to 21 three-blade wind turbine generators with a maximum blade-tip height of 250 metres above ground level
- an on-site 330 kilovolt substation and associated transmission infrastructure
- an overhead transmission line connecting proposed turbines in the south of the project area to the Stage 1 electrical network
- an underground 33 kilovolt internal electrical reticulation network
- permanent infrastructure including internal roads, hardstands, transmission lines and poles, meteorological masts and water storage tanks
- off-site road works and upgrades associated with the proposed oversize over-mass transport route.
The application will be determined by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces or the Independent Planning Commission, not Muswellbrook Shire Council.
For further information, to view the application documents or make a submission, visit the NSW Government Major Projects Planning Portal:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/bowmans-creek-wind-farm-stage-2
Application: SSD-61707209
Location: Off Campbell Street, Aberdeen and Wells Gully Road
Submissions close: 9 October 2026The proposed Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) includes:
- construction and operation of a lithium-ion BESS with capacity of up to 400 megawatts of power and 920 megawatt hours of energy storage
- a high-voltage substation, including high-voltage transformers and switchgear
- overhead and underground cables connecting the project to the electricity grid east of the site, including associated easements and use of the Wells Gully Road Reserve.
The application will be determined by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces or the Independent Planning Commission, not Muswellbrook Shire Council.
For further information, to view the application documents or make a submission, visit the NSW Government Major Projects Planning Portal:
Have your say
Anyone wishing to comment on a proposal should make their submission through the relevant project page on the NSW Government’s Major Projects Planning Portal before the applicable closing date.
Muswellbrook Shire Council is sharing this information to ensure the community is aware of the current public exhibition periods and has the opportunity to participate in the NSW Government’s assessment process.
