Key facts
- Community opposition to data center development is growing across Australia.
- Residents cite concerns about noise pollution, electricity and water supply impacts, and environmental assessments.
- NextDC's M3 facility in West Footscray, Melbourne, is undergoing expansion and faces local council opposition.
- Goodman Group withdrew a proposal for a 90-megawatt data center in Lane Cove, Sydney, due to resident concerns.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated there will be no pause on data center development.
Community opposition to the construction and expansion of data centers is mounting across Australia, as the nation pushes to compete in the artificial intelligence industry. Residents are raising concerns about the cumulative environmental impacts, noise pollution, and the proximity of these large-scale facilities to residential areas.
In Sydney, property developer Goodman Group withdrew an application for a 90-megawatt data center in Lane Cove after months of opposition from local residents regarding potential impacts on electricity and water supplies and noise. Nearby, a proposal for another 90MW data center, dubbed Project Mars, is under consideration by the NSW government, with data centers already occupying 40% of local industrial zones.
In Melbourne, NextDC's M3 data center in West Footscray, described as "Australia's largest hyperscale AI factory," is undergoing a significant expansion. Residents like Sean Brown have expressed deep concern about the construction noise, the constant hum, and the growing number of diesel generators on site, worrying about the unassessed environmental impact on the community. The Maribyrnong local council has also voiced opposition to the expansion, which is awaiting planning approval from the Victorian government.
Despite these local concerns and calls for a pause on development, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that a halt to data center construction is not an option, emphasizing the importance of these facilities for Australia's digital future and economic growth.