Julius Avenue Data Centre

Sir/Madam,

I hereby put forward my following objections to this project.

1. Loss of our bush heritage

The proposed Julius Ave project will see the destruction of 500 trees in this 2-3 hectare parcel of bushland in the heart of Sydney that needs to be preserved, particularly along the Lane Cove River coridor. It is not feasible to cut down 500 trees in a pristine enviornment as is proposed. The planned planting of this number of trees or more in another location still means the destruction of a natural setting and biodiversity. This destruction of natural habitat so close to a river system and National Park is simply not appropriate.

Why cannot such a large facility be developed on vacant or previously cleared land, away from Lane Cove River precinct? The real cost is to our natural environment - a reduction of more bushland biodiversity and corridors for native fauna to roam freely. Surely, there are vast numbers of areas in Sydney that could accommodate such a development. Has the developer demonstrated that no other location could be used? This should be a definite part of the decision-making process.

2. Energy Storage/Redundancy

The design of an energy back up system involving the installation of 73 back-up generators and 12 x diesel storage tanks (+ 72-day tanks) seems like a terrible choice for an energy redundancy system for a grid-connected data centre.  On site storage of 1.2 million litres of diesel seems obscenely large. As data centres get bigger, their demand on grid-derived electricity increases. However, it is also the redundancy (back up) infrastructure that also grows enormously.  Why cannot developments be required (as part of their development applications) to include greener storage systems for capacity this large?

Such solutions for energy storage are put forward and well documented as real solutions.  An example is work researched and documented by the Climate Council of Australia.  The latter is one of many progressive organisations that put forward possible solutions in line with Australia's push for a net zero future, with less reliance on fossil fuels.  All government departments (local, state and federal) must surely take this later point into account. Serious attention should be placed on alternatives to diesel generators and storage of over a million litres of diesel on-site.  The Climate Council put forward the case for large storage solutions as part of their recent  (2025) report entitled "BATTERY BOOM: SUPERCHARGING AUSTRALIA’S RENEWABLE ROLLOUT". I attach this document FYI.

I read in the development application that alternative redundancy systems were considered.  How seriously were they looked at? If diesel generators were simply the option with best ROI and economic credentials, that should note be the sole consideration. Australia's commitment to a clean energy transition with set targets requires less reliance on fossil fuels, one project at a time.  Other, greener energy storage and redundancy options MUST be considered more seriously, for instance 12hr Flow Batteries.

3. User of Water

It is well known that Data Centres require a huge, on-going use of water for the cooling of IT equipment. I read that Sydney Water will supply potable water for this cooling process. There does not appear to be any estimations of how much water will be used. Why has this not been reported on (it is obviously a huge amount of water)? Is there no other cooling methodology possible for such a facility? This is an oversight to not report on this and it must be addressed.

I trust my submission will be read and the objections and alternatives seriously considered.  I would appreciate a formal response in due course.

Yours Faithfully,
Eric Allas

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: Opposition to Proposed Data Centre Development Adjacent to Lane Cove National Park and the Lane Cove River

I am writing to formally express my strong opposition to the proposed construction of a data centre adjacent to the Lane Cove National Park and the Lane Cove River. I am a 4th generation resident of Hunters hill and grew up sailing, kayaking and exploring the river by boat as my children do today. Growing up this river hosted a paint factory and was severely polluted, today it is clean and wildlife is flourishing, the rocks are again covered in oysters, there are abundant fish and birds. I do not take this for granted and we MUST protect this waterway and the park land that surrounds it for future generations.

Lane Cove National Park is a vital ecological, recreational, and cultural asset to the Sydney community and beyond. It supports a rich diversity of native flora and fauna, provides crucial green space in an increasingly urbanised area, and plays a key role in improving air and water quality for the region.

The construction and operation of a data centre in such close proximity to this sensitive environment raises serious environmental concerns, including:

Water Pollution Risks: Data centres typically require significant cooling infrastructure, often using water-based systems. Any discharge of heated water or accidental chemical runoff poses a real threat to the health of the Lane Cove River and its aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat Disruption: Construction and operation will bring light pollution, noise, vibration, and increased traffic — all of which will disturb local wildlife and may result in long-term biodiversity loss in and around the park.

Air and Noise Pollution: Backup diesel generators, increased vehicle movement, and other industrial operations may degrade air quality and introduce noise into an area valued for its peace and natural quiet.

Visual and Cultural Impact: The presence of a large, industrial facility so close to a national park compromises the natural character and visual integrity of the area, which holds cultural and recreational importance for Indigenous communities, local residents, and visitors alike.

Climate and Sustainability Concerns: Approving energy-intensive infrastructure in a sensitive area sends the wrong message in a time when we should be prioritising sustainable development, emissions reductions, and environmental stewardship.

While I acknowledge the need for digital infrastructure, such facilities must be located in appropriate, low-impact industrial zones, not adjacent to ecologically and culturally significant protected areas.

I urge the planning authorities to reject this proposal in the interests of long-term environmental protection, responsible urban planning, and the preservation of Lane Cove National Park for future generations.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Yours sincerely, J.R.

This submission objects strongly to the proposed construction and operation of a 170 megawatt data centre at 6–8 Julius Avenue, North Ryde.
The principal objections are:
Inappropriate scale and siting – A 170MW industrial facility, with a 50m built form and 72 diesel generators, is incompatible with its proximity to residential zones, Lane Cove National Park, and the Lane Cove River.
Unprecedented energy demand – The proposed load (170MW) represents a significant proportion of Sydney’s electricity grid. This raises questions of energy security, climate commitments, and the risks of load-shedding during outages.
Adverse visual and landscape impacts – The massive built form will dominate entry views into Macquarie Park from the M2 and Epping Road corridors, undermining decades of urban planning and landscape conservation.
Environmental degradation – The development will sever bushland connectivity, remove remnant vegetation, increase urban heat island effects, and threaten biodiversity corridors along the Lane Cove River.
Historical precedent of conflict – The Lane Cove Valley has a long history of contested infrastructure proposals, including the Lane Cove Valley Freeway, Mowbray Park disputes, and the destruction of “Fairyland” picnic grounds. These lessons underline the need to preserve the valley as a community and ecological asset rather than a site for large-scale industrialisation.
Alternative sites exist – Other locations within the Macquarie Park business precinct, away from sensitive environmental land and bushland interfaces, should be investigated.
If the proposal is to be advanced, significant amelioration measures must be required: provision of dedicated public access to Lane Cove National Park, upgraded tracks, bush regeneration programs, and design concessions to reduce visual and ecological impacts.
For the reasons set out in this submission, the development should not proceed in its proposed form.
1. Context and Description of the Proposal
The proponent seeks consent to construct a six-storey data centre with 12 data halls, ancillary offices, 115 car parks, and 72 x 3.2MW diesel generators, with a total electrical load of 170MW
Key features include:
Site area: 28,630 sqm
Building height: ~50m
Backup diesel storage: 840,000 litres (12 tanks x 70kL)
Adjoining land: Lane Cove National Park and Lane Cove River (100m east)
Surrounds: Commercial precinct of Macquarie Park, but within 300m of residential zones at Lane Cove North and North Ryde
This is not a modest commercial development but an industrial-scale facility with significant implications for the urban, environmental, and energy landscapes of Sydney.
2. Necessity of a 170MW Data Centre in a Residential/Environmental Zone
2.1 Questionable locational need
Data centres are essential to digital economies, but their site requirements are flexible: flat land, grid connectivity, and telecommunications access. There is no inherent necessity to place such an energy-hungry, diesel-reliant facility within a sensitive bushland interface.
The proponent has not provided any transparent justification as to why this particular site, adjacent to Lane Cove National Park and residential communities, is preferable over less constrained alternatives.
2.2 Urban planning principles ignored
Good planning practice dictates that heavy utility and energy-intensive infrastructure should be sited away from environmental assets and residential zones, ideally within industrial precincts designed to support such uses.
By contrast, this site:
Directly adjoins Lane Cove National Park.
Is within sight lines of major public entry corridors (M2, Epping Road).
Abuts areas of high biodiversity and cultural history.
This makes it one of the least suitable sites for a data centre of this scale.
3. Historical Precedents of Environmental Conflict in the Lane Cove Valley
The Lane Cove Valley has long been the site of contested battles between infrastructure development and environmental protection.
3.1 Lane Cove Valley Freeway
For decades, proposals for a Lane Cove Valley Freeway threatened to carve through bushland. Studies from the 1980s note how the “freeway reservation” posed existential risks to the valley’s continuity and ecological health
. Community opposition and conservation advocacy ultimately preserved large tracts of bushland from freeway alienation.
3.2 Mowbray Park Sports Fields
Mowbray Park, once a natural bushland area, was alienated for sports fields despite conservationist opposition. The narrowing of the valley corridor and loss of native vegetation were seen as short-sighted decisions
3.3 Fairyland
The site known as “Fairyland,” once a beloved picnic ground, was lost due to development pressures and bushland clearance. Historical accounts stress the irretrievable loss of cultural and ecological heritage
These examples demonstrate a pattern: once natural or cultural assets in the Lane Cove Valley are alienated, they are lost forever. The Julius Avenue proposal risks repeating these mistakes.
4. Visual Amenity and Landscape Impacts
4.1 Gateway to Macquarie Park
The proposal site sits at a critical visual threshold: the entry from the M2 motorway and Epping Road into Macquarie Park.
The proposed 50m-high structure, with bulk massing and industrial rooftop plant, will:
Dominate the skyline.
Sever views towards Lane Cove National Park.
Replace a transitional bushland edge with a looming industrial wall.
4.2 Conflict with conservation designations
The Lane Cove foreshores are recognised as part of a National Trust Landscape Conservation Area and classified by the Maritime Services Board as “lands in a natural state where no development will be permitted”
A six-storey data centre directly abutting this landscape will create an irreconcilable visual clash between protected natural values and industrial form.
5. Energy Demand and NSW Power Supply
5.1 Proportion of Sydney’s electricity needs
Sydney’s total electricity demand typically ranges around 8–9 GW at peak. A single facility requiring 170 MW therefore represents nearly 2% of metropolitan peak demand.
This is an extraordinary share for one user, raising questions of grid prioritisation, load management, and community benefit.
5.2 Risk of outages
The proponent proposes 72 diesel backup generators
However, reliance on diesel generation in a bushfire-prone, urban-adjacent zone is problematic:
Air quality impacts of diesel particulates.
Noise impacts during testing and operation.
Energy security risks if load-shedding is required – will the centre be shut off to protect residential supply during peak or emergency events?
Without transparent agreements with Ausgrid and AEMO, the proposal risks becoming an energy liability for NSW.
5.3 Climate commitments
At a time when NSW is working towards net zero targets, approving a diesel-backed, 170MW data centre represents a regressive planning decision. The project risks locking in decades of high-carbon infrastructure.
6. Alternative Locations
If Sydney requires additional data centre capacity, alternative sites must be considered:
Industrial lands further west (e.g. Eastern Creek, Erskine Park), where grid capacity is higher and environmental sensitivity lower.
Less visually prominent Macquarie Park parcels, set back from the Lane Cove River and National Park.
Co-location with existing high-energy infrastructure (e.g. Sydney West substation precincts).
There is no demonstrable need for a 170MW facility at Julius Avenue, particularly when alternative locations could provide equivalent service without the environmental and community cost.
7. Amelioration Considerations if Approved
If, despite these objections, the Department is minded to approve the proposal, substantial amelioration measures must be imposed:
Public access to Lane Cove National Park
A dedicated, landscaped public walkway connecting Julius Avenue into the Great North Walk.
Upgraded signage and entry infrastructure.
Track upgrades and bush regeneration
Funding for track maintenance, weed control, and bush regeneration programs in adjacent parklands.
Visual impact mitigation
Building envelope reduction.
Screening vegetation buffers with local native species.
Setbacks increased to preserve skyline continuity.
Sustainable energy conditions
Mandatory renewable energy procurement.
Limiting diesel generator use.
Onsite solar and battery storage contributions.
Community offset funding
Investment in local recreation facilities to offset the loss of amenity.
8. Conclusion
The Julius Avenue Data Centre proposal is fundamentally at odds with the environmental, social, and planning values of the Lane Cove Valley.
Its approval would:
Set a dangerous precedent of industrial encroachment into natural landscapes.
Impose a disproportionate energy burden on NSW’s grid.
Permanently scar the visual and cultural amenity of Macquarie Park’s entrance.
The NSW Department of Planning must weigh the true necessity of this development against its irreversible costs.
The conclusion is clear: this proposal should not proceed.
Should the Department nevertheless advance the project, strict amelioration and offset conditions must be imposed to safeguard the Lane Cove Valley for future generations.

Concerning the proposed Julius Ave Data Centre:
The site of this proposed development is important bushland. It is replete with mature trees which provide habitat for our struggling wildlife. I understand the project involves removing more than 500 large trees. The area is also a wildlife corridor - an important factor, as wildlife struggles when their communities are "islanded'.
Re-planting the forest after clearing an area is a poor replacement: the juvenile trees take a hundred years at least to form the hollows our creatures need to nest and shelter in. Planting or preserving a corresponding area of bush is never satisfactory, either because the planting is of seedling trees, or else officials claim to be preserving bush that already exists.
We must resist destruction of habitat such as that proposed for Julius Ave.

This project is deeply objected by all who are aware of it. You're claim of being an 'environmentally friendly' company, is completely misleading as this project shows the complete opposite. If you had any respect for the environment this would not be built at all, let alone in this exact area. This area is used as a nature corridor for animals between the national park and urban areas. At least 300 of the 500 trees you plan to destroy are homes to native animals, birds, and insects which allow our small portion of bushland in Sydney to thrive. These trees can be over 100 years old, shown containing hollows with nests and baby animals. These are their homes. They did not give you permission to destroy it. Not only will you be destroying their homes but you aim to cover it up by saying you will replant 750 trees in a new area. It's embarrassing. You can't destroy living organisms small space they have left, they do not get warnings, and plant new ones kilometers away which will take decades to regenerate into the significance they hold here. You're centre will use the fresh water of the people and energy of the people, you will emit gases. This project is nothing but destructive. Why should we, and the innocent flora and fauna have to put up with the consequences of your energy-eating company. Go elsewhere. Go to the middle of the desert and away from what matters. I hope you will seriously reconsider your destructive future plans, and we will make sure everybody knows what you have done if you go through with this.

I strongly object to the proposal as it does not align with the principles of ecologically sustainable development for the following reasons:
- the removal of over 500 trees that comprises native vegetation and valuable fauna habitat adjacent to Lane Cove National Park to build a data centre. There would be many other more suitable industrial sites available in Ryde for this type of development. Which alternative sites have been considered and why has the details of this not been provided?
- offsetting the loss in native vegetation does not adequately compensate for the loss in biodiversity values. Mature trees take 100's of years to grow. Local fauna will loose valuable habitat which is not replaced locally.
- using potable water for the data centre's cooling systems. What a waste of a valuable resource! Why is non-potable water not used?
- the bushfire risk to National Park associated with storing 1,272,000 L (1,081 tonnes) diesel on-site - this is an unacceptable risk.
- the energy back up system involving the installation of 73 back-up generators and 12 diesel storage tanks - this is not a sustainable option. More sustainable alternatives need to be investigated.

I am familiar with this part of the Lane Cove River, and I object to the proposed removal of more than 500 trees and excavation works on the development site that are immediately adjacent to the Great Northern Walk along a narrow strip on the Lane Cove River in the national park.
The Development application and the EIS by ISPT P/L deliberately use language to downplay the importance of the remnant bushland in the development site. The riparian area along the river that is part of the Lane Cove River National Park is very narrow (less than 80 meters), and removing the forest in the development site will damage the already narrow wildlife corridor. The movement of wildlife between Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains is served by a few corridors. The best remaining corridor is the Lane Cove River, Berowra Creek and Cattai Creek systems. The dynamics of ecosystems that contain remnant habitats are of great importance for species migration. This issue is not addressed in the proposal.
The best quality bushland along the Lane Cove River between the Epping Road and Delhi Road Bridges is the north side of the river that includes the development site. There has been considerable restoration work in the form of bush care over the last 20 years by dedicated volunteers to preserve the bushland. It is a betrayal of these volunteers and the people of NSW to allow a short-term project like this data centre to destroy mature bushland that contains a high concentration of saprophytic orchids that depend on these mature trees. 
With the emerging technology of Quantum Computing, data centres like the one proposed will become obsolete and be torn down within a couple of decades. This is too great a price to pay for destroying resilient bushland that will be occupied for centuries. Every piece of significant bushland in an urban environment is important for the well-being of the local wildlife and human community.
There is much more that I could address in my objection to this development, but time is running short on the submission deadline. Lastly, I would like to mention that the constant audible noise that a data centre generates is not addressed in the proponent’s submissions.

Attached is an addition to the submission previously submitted in the name of Friends of Lane Cove National Park with some additional points.

In addition to my previous submission, I object to using potable mains water as the primary water source of the mechanical evaporative cooling system. This is concerning considering the high water demand of data centres. Has any consideration been given to using non-potable water?
The design of an energy back up system involving the installation of 73 back-up generators and 12 diesel storage tanks seems like a poor choice for an energy redundancy system for a grid-connected data centre. This is not in line with NSW strategic plans and policies that aim to achieve net zero emissions. Storage and redundancy systems can be achieved with non-fossil fuel solutions.

Tearing up bush land to build a data center is a stupid idea and I don’t want you to do it.

I am opposed to the project largely on environmental grounds - the proposal involves the loss of over 500 mature trees on the site which form the habitat of several endangered species. Proper replacement for all these trees has not been included in the EIS.
Long term, the location bordering Lane Cove National Park will continually produce light, noise and water pollution well above the existing and acceptable levels and greatly disturb the local wildlife.
Also, the data centre will do all this damage to the environment for the sake of using generally stolen data to support expensive and power hungry AI and should be opposed on that basis alone.

I OBJECT to the planning proposal because of the potential tree and habitat loss for 14 species that are local to the Lane Cove National Park. As the site abuts the National Park, there is potential for corridor loss for these species which include Powerful Owl, Glossy Black Cockatoo which may use mature trees as nesting spaces. Other species of plants will also be impacted. I understand that the developer will replant trees elsewhere however this can not replicate the loss of existing trees.

The natural beauty of this city is dwindling. National Parks and nature reserves are what make our home such a desirable and beautiful place to reside. The damage from this project is irreparable and we need to preserve what few urban nature reserves remain. Existing, developed land can be found for the data centre. Do not allow this crime against our natural land to be committed for the benefit of digitisation. Once gone, our National parks and land can never be replaced. A data centre can.

I do NOT support the proposal for the Julius Avenue Data Centre.
I understand that, in its present form, this plan will result in the removal of 509 trees (Page 9 of EIS - Julius Avenue Data Centre 240625). These are part of the important habitat corridor right next to Lane Cove National Park and the Great North Walk near Fairyland. After bushfires in the Lane Cove River Valley in January 1994, a population of swamp wallabies survived by following this corridor and now populate bushland areas along the Lane Cove River at least as far as the Field of Mars Reserve. The removal of this many trees and understorey will remove important animal habitat.
Another issue is the impact on the local environment. I live in an area overlooking a data centre in Macquarie Park and its impact on local climate is often visible with clouds of steam rising from cooling vents on the building. This would be creating a localised heat island, and a data centre adjacent to natural bushland would therefore change the local natural environment, involving loss of habitat for threatened species.

To whom this may concern,
It seems like the new data centre will be bordering on Lane Cove national park, given the national parks NSW map online. Although I strongly support a push for data infrastructure in NSW, it needs to be carefully considered given the value of the national park region. I understand this may already have been examined, and in fact that the site currently sits excavated. But the key difference with a data centre (vs a conventional office building), is the additional emissions + noise/heat pollution arising from this energy intensive industrial development. The high energy usage, generators on site, 24/7 operation, intensive cooling systems etc. mean disturbance of natural ecology at the south border of the data centre (the south border is that which borders the national park) is a much much higher risk, and is something that needs to be carefully considered.
Simply building any office building there would be making use of a plot adjoining an already industrial area, while keeping the national park untouched. However both conventional gaseous pollution from the generator in addition to noise, thermal, light pollution unique to data centres means unconventionally thorough consideration of impacts is critical here, to balance the importance of data infrastructure while managing negative externalities (which will otherwise come back to hurt the centre in the long run).
Again I do support a data centre built, and I know one other large centre is in operation, with another one planned in an industrial zone, which is great news. But this centre is in a precarious location, and proper risk mitigation here is paramount, to ensure the bordering national park region is not significantly degraded through the introduction of new pollution sources.
Kind Regards.

Destroying habits, safe spaces and environments that have been here far longer that us.
All for a centre that could be placed in one of the very many abandoned buildings that Sydney has

Please, don’t continue allowing our precious remnants of indigenous bush land to be further eroded by development. The area in question provides protection, habitat and night roosting sites for a population of native birds, including satin bower birds and scarlet honeyeaters. Powerful Owls are under great stress already, and have been sighted in this area.
New plantings do not prevent the permanent damage from destruction of mature habitat.
The area is in constant use by walkers, runners and families seeking recreation and a break from the city life.
Please don’t allow short sighted development to further impact one of the dwindling pockets of natural resource in our beautiful city.

Thank you.

I object to the building of a data centre on Julius Avenue. I believe it will have a negative effect on the local ecosystem. Due to its close proximity to Lane Cove national park, this area is likely highly populated by wildlife. The area currently acts as a buffer zone between urban development and Lane Cove National Park, which I believe to be significant. I believe that removing or chopping down trees to make way for this data centre will have a negative impact both on the local wildlife and the environment itself. The trees that are currently on the lot have been there for likely decades, and have provided homes for local wildlife and helped stabilise the ecosystem.

I am writing to object to the Julius Avenue Data Centre project, listed as a State Significant Development proposed for the old CSIRO area of North Ryde and abutting Lane Cove National Park. Should this project be approved as presented in the plans, it would remove 509 trees which are an essential component of the wildlife habitat corridor adjacent to the LC National Park and the Great North Walk near Fairyland.
This would involve loss of habitat for three threatened fauna species, namely the Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri, the Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis and the Large Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus orienae oceanensis, as well as four threatened plant species - Darwinia biflora, Deyeuxia appressa, Hibbertia spanatha and Rhizanthella slateri.
In addition there will be disruption to and loss of native fauna habitat, impacts on the local climate through heat island effect, considerable noise from the process, the extent of water to be used and the level of bushfire risk to a highly valued ecosystem and the animals it supports such as the local population of swamp wallabies.
Constructing such a large data centre in close proximity to precious natural bushland would drastically alter important local environment through loss of the existing tree canopy and its understorey.
The project as planned would also affect the amenity and enjoyment of the many local users of the area.

Destruction of more bush land to accommodate another structure in or on the boundary of a National Park is pure negligence. Along with the bush goes habitat and precious wildlife as well. I’m totally against this project. Find an alternative place in an industrial area, please. How many more times is this going to happen, please let our grandchildren know your answer.