Project Highlight: South Coree BESS Flood Impact Assessment

South Coree BESS

Flood Impact Assessment

Cumulus Engineering supported NGH Consulting with a Flood Impact Assessment for the proposed South Coree Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Finley, NSW. As the project is classified a State Significant Development, the assessment was required to address the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) set by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. This included demonstrating compliance with NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023) principles, modelling a full suite of flood events (5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2% AEP and PMF), and considering the effects of climate change on rainfall and flood behaviour.

Our role was to characterise existing overland flow patterns, assess the potential impacts of the proposed development (including raised pads, internal roads, and noise walls), and ensure there were no detrimental changes to flood risk for surrounding land or infrastructure. The work involved consultation with Berrigan Shire Council and NSW SES to confirm that the development would be consistent with regional floodplain management practices and emergency planning arrangements. This assessment provides a robust technical foundation to support the project’s planning approval and ensures the BESS can be delivered safely, responsibly, and in line with state policy requirements.