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🇦🇺 Australia /Technology

Sydney suburb risks becoming 'data centre wasteland' amid AI boom

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Residents in Sydney's Lane Cove West are concerned about the proliferation of data centers near their homes and a primary school.
  • Developers plan to build multiple data centers in the area, raising concerns about noise, fumes, and the potential for the suburb to become a "data centre wasteland."
  • Local councils argue they have limited say in the approval of these state-significant developments, while industry groups emphasize the economic opportunity for Australia.

Residents in Sydney's Lane Cove West are raising alarms over the rapid expansion of data centers, fearing the area could become a "data centre wasteland." The proximity of these facilities to homes, a primary school, and natural bushland has sparked significant concern among locals.

What is this coming from?

— CharlotteCharlotte described hearing a constant hum from an existing data center in Lane Cove West.

Charlotte, a resident who asked for her surname to be withheld, described hearing a constant hum from an existing data center and is now worried about new developments. Goodman is proposing 'Project Mars,' a data center approximately 50 meters from her home and 160 meters from her daughters' primary school. The potential for up to five data centers in the vicinity has amplified anxieties about noise pollution and fumes.

"The amount of fumes that's going to create … 160 metres away from a primary school … it's just not acceptable," Charlotte stated. She clarified that her opposition is not to data centers themselves, but to their placement.

Then I continued along the track … I was like, that's where the buzzing is coming from, this huge data centre.

— CharlotteCharlotte identified the source of the noise as a large data center.

Ryde Council, which includes the Macquarie Park area where several data centers already operate and more are proposed, warned in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry that the precinct is "dangerously nearing saturation point." Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown suggested the land could be better utilized for housing or job creation, noting the limited local employment benefits from data centers, primarily consisting of cleaning and security roles.

The amount of fumes that's going to create … 160 metres away from a primary school … it's just not acceptable

— CharlotteCharlotte expressed concern about the environmental impact of data centers near a primary school.

Councils feel sidelined in the planning process, as data centers are often approved directly by the state government as "state significant developments." Belinda Dennett, chief executive of Data Centres Australia, acknowledged the need for better community communication but stressed the global race to build data center infrastructure. She warned that Australia risks becoming an unattractive investment location if it fails to capitalize on this boom, emphasizing that capital is mobile and companies will seek opportunities elsewhere.

The ongoing benefit to the community is limited to a small number of cleaners and security guards and perhaps some people on an IT help desk

— Trenton BrownRyde Mayor Trenton Brown commented on the limited local employment benefits from data centers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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