Goodman abandons Sydney data centre plan after residents’ opposition
Goodman Group has withdrawn its application to build Project Mars, a data centre near homes in Sydney’s Lane Cove suburb, after strong opposition from residents and campaigners. The decision highlights tensions in Australia between attracting investment in AI infrastructure and concerns about its effects on local communities and water and energy supplies.
The proposed facility was valued at A$1.2bn and designed to provide 90 megawatts of capacity, with its nearest building about 20 metres from a house. Planning consultation drew 374 submissions, only nine of them supportive. Goodman said it had considered community views and changes to the policy environment; the New South Wales government has also announced a 75-day fast-track assessment programme for data centres that meet specified standards and fund extra water and energy supply.
- Goodman has scrapped its Lane Cove data centre proposal after local opposition.
- The A$1.2bn project received 374 submissions, with nine in support.
- New South Wales plans faster approvals for centres meeting supply requirements.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Plan for controversial Sydney data centre scrapped after push-back”.