Battery recycling has become essential to managing Australia’s growing stockpile of electronic and energy waste. In regions like Port Stephens, planning and building safe battery recovery infrastructure is a complex but vital task. This case study explores the delivery of a battery recycling project—a processing and resource recovery facility in Heatherbrae, NSW—designed to support the circular economy and reduce environmental harm.
The facility’s development application (DA) is a prime example of how layered, multidisciplinary coordination can successfully guide a high-impact industrial project through rigorous planning pathways. From environmental reviews to public engagement, every step required technical accuracy, stakeholder awareness, and compliance with evolving standards. What follows is a breakdown of the services delivered, challenges addressed, and strategies employed to bring this DA from concept to submission.
Project overview and scope
The project involves constructing a battery recycling and processing facility to serve the growing regional demand. Located in Heatherbrae, NSW, the site was selected for its strategic access to infrastructure, distance from sensitive receptors, and suitability under local planning instruments.
The facility’s purpose is to support the responsible collection, disassembly, and recovery of valuable materials from spent batteries. This includes lithium-ion, alkaline, and lead-acid batteries—products that pose environmental risks if not properly processed. Importantly, the facility is designed to operate within strict environmental controls, serving both industrial clients and future municipal collection programs.
- The DA was structured to demonstrate alignment with the council strategy and zoning.
- Specialists were engaged across environmental science, planning law, and public consultation.
- Coordination ensured the DA met council requirements, industry standards, and public expectations.
This work supported a full development application for a battery recycling facility project, advancing one of the region’s most significant circular economy projects.
Navigating feasibility and early-stage planning
Early feasibility assessment was essential to define the project’s boundaries and constraints. This included:
- Site due diligence: reviewing zoning, land use compatibility, and surrounding land sensitivity.
- Regulatory screening: understanding which approvals and environmental triggers apply.
- Risk identification: mapping out emissions, transport, buffer, and visual impact concerns.
- Planning alignment: identifying how the proposal fits within local strategic planning.
The findings shaped the technical reports and community strategy. By front-loading feasibility work, the team prevented later redesigns or scope conflicts.
To support operational design and planning assumptions, the feasibility team referenced safe battery recycling and disposal guidelines that outline handling protocols, risk thresholds, and emergency response requirements. These benchmarks helped confirm that the proposed infrastructure and procedures aligned with best practice.
Environmental assessments and SEARS requirements
As a designated project of environmental significance, the proposal required an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS compiled:
Community and stakeholder engagement
Managing public expectations and concerns was a critical focus. A structured engagement plan was developed and delivered. It included:
- Targeted outreach to nearby property owners and businesses.
- Consultation with local environmental groups and waste advocates.
- Online information sessions and Q&A events.
- Surveys and interviews capture community views and concerns.
- A formal consultation outcomes report supporting the DA submission.
Feedback covered traffic, potential hazards, property values, and the visibility of the site. In response, adjustments were made to proposed operating hours, site screening, and access routes.
This approach helped address community tension before it could escalate. Transparent processes earned a greater degree of trust, which was reflected in minimal objections during the exhibition period.
Coordinating specialist inputs
A key feature of this DA was its reliance on multiple disciplines. The project’s technical demands meant collaboration between:
- Environmental scientists and hydrologists
- Acoustic engineers
- Waste and process safety consultants
- Town planners and statutory specialists
- Cultural heritage advisors
- Traffic engineers and road design professionals
Coordination efforts focused on document consistency, integrated mitigation strategies, and collective review before lodgement. One of the major challenges was syncing consultant inputs within tight timeframes while adapting to evolving council feedback.
Lodgement and next steps
With documentation aligned and verified, the DA was submitted to Port Stephens Council. Lodgement included:
- Complete environmental and planning package under relevant legislation
- SEARS response matrix and EIS
- Statement of environmental effects
- Consultation outcome report
- Project drawings and staging plans
The DA is now under review. Council will assess it against planning criteria and feedback from the public exhibition.
This lodgement stage is more than a formality—it represents months of coordination and careful preparation, especially given the technical and social complexity of battery recovery operations.
Strategic importance of the project
This facility has broad implications for sustainability, industrial capability, and regional planning. It directly addresses:
- Gaps in Australia’s battery recycling infrastructure
- Rising volumes of household and industrial battery waste
- Pressure on landfills and risks of improper disposal
- Goals within state circular economy strategies
This project represents a critical step in sustainable waste management and battery material recovery in regional NSW. It underscores the capability to lead complex DA submissions for industrial clients while balancing environmental performance, community expectations, and statutory compliance.
Final thoughts
Projects like this don’t come together by accident. From feasibility to stakeholder engagement, each step relies on coordination and technical accuracy. For similar proposals, you can get expert advice from Meliora Projects to understand what’s needed and how to avoid delays during submission.
