Power for the people: Community Battery in The Gap
The frustrating part? Brisbane City Council (BCC) said “no” to a battery on Council-controlled land in The Gap — while progressing community battery installations in other Brisbane suburbs.
What a community battery actually does
A community battery is a neighbourhood-scale battery connected to the local electricity network. It helps:
Store local solar instead of wasting it
Support cheaper electricity by shifting energy from “sunny surplus” hours to “expensive peak” hours
Reduce emissions by replacing peak-time fossil generation with stored renewables
Improve local reliability by easing pressure on the network at busy times
It’s practical climate action that also eases household budgets now.
What happened in The Gap
From Council’s own correspondence, BCC’s position was clear: it did not support installing the proposed batteries (pole-mounted or ground-based) on Council-controlled land in The Gap. That message matters because it helps explain why progress stalled locally, even as similar projects moved ahead elsewhere.
Meanwhile, other suburbs weren’t treated the same
In the same thread, Council noted it had worked with Energy Queensland / EQL to progress approvals for installations in Moorooka and Coorparoo. So Brisbane can do community batteries - apparently just not in The Gap.
Why this matters for The Gap
This isn’t abstract “climate policy.” It’s about:
Lower bills by using more local renewable energy when it’s needed most
A fair go: The Gap shouldn’t miss out while other suburbs progress
Community respect: locals deserve genuine consultation, not a closed-door “no” with no pathway forward
What we’re pushing for
As a Labor member who cares about the environment and cost of living, I’m advocating for:
A clear, public explanation of why BCC blocked Council-land options in The Gap
A genuine local consultation process on feasible sites and design (amenity, safety, landscaping, access)
A workable pathway to get the project moving again — not endless buck-passing
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you’ve made it this far and want to help force Brisbane City Council to rethink their opposition to a Community Solar Battery in The Gap, please sign the form at the top of this page.
Additionally, please email Councillor Steve Toomey’s Ward office expressing your support for a Community Battery in The Gap.
thegap.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au
Imagine soaking up more of The Gap’s rooftop solar during the day, then using it locally when electricity demand (and prices) peak in the evening. That’s the simple idea behind a community battery: store surplus local solar and release it later, helping cut bills, reduce emissions, and make the grid more resilient.