Julius Avenue Data Centre

I would like to object to the removal of 509 trees, which are part of the important habitat corridor right next to the Park and the Great North Walk near Fairyland, as a result of the plan. The execution of this project will cause the loss of habitat for three threatened fauna species, namely Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri, Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis, Large Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus orianae oceanensis, and four threatened plant species, being Darwinia biflora, Deyeuxia appressa, Hibbertia spanantha and Rhizanthella slateri. Moreover, this plan will also put the area at risk of bushfire and heat island effects, which will negatively impact the residents' health, lifestyle, properties and safety.

Not compatible with the residential suburbs and Lane Cove National Park. Noisy and will need to cut many trees down.

"I object to the project as it would have an adverse impact on the local environment and protected national parkland.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development, available on the project webpage at

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major -projects/projects/julius-avenue-data-centre, refers in Table 8 to the removal of 509 trees.

This damage to both a local and national public good is unacceptable, combined with the fact the proposed data centre in my view would not provide any let alone equal benifits to the community.

I oppose this development."

Submission Regarding Julius Avenue Data Centre Proposal

To whom it may concern,

I'm writing to express my strong objection to the proposed Julius Avenue Data Centre development adjacent to Lane Cove National Park.

While I understand the growing demand for digital infrastructure, this project raises serious concerns around biodiversity, habitat loss, local character and long-term ecological impact that cannot be mitigated by simply planting new trees.

The proposal involves the removal of over 500 mature trees within a key habitat corridor that borders Lane Cove National Park and the Great North Walk. These trees aren’t just “green assets” on a map—they are living habitat, many of them likely well over a century old. They provide nesting hollows, shade, food, and critical shelter for native species. These functions cannot simply be replaced by new plantings. It takes more than a hundred years for trees to develop hollows that support the kinds of wildlife this area is known for, and in that time species may well have been lost to the area for lack of habitat

This site forms part of a broader ecological network that includes habitat for threatened species such as the Large-eared Pied Bat, Little Bent-winged Bat, and Large Bent-winged Bat, not to mention four threatened plants. To push ahead with a high-impact industrial facility at the edge of a national park is short-sighted at best, and ecologically reckless at worst.

Beyond habitat loss, the development also introduces other risks like increased bushfire hazard, noise pollution, and heat island effects in an area already under pressure from urban expansion. These risks change the lived experience of the park and its surrounds for people and wildlife alike.

Lane Cove National Park and the adjoining bushland corridors are valued by locals not just for their natural beauty, but for their continuity, for the feeling of stepping into a place that has been allowed to grow, evolve, and support life over generations. That feeling doesn’t survive a 170-megawatt server farm and 500 felled trees. Once natural areas are lost, they cannot simply be regrown elsewhere - offset plantings grossly oversimplify the loss that occurs from tree felling.

I urge the Department to reject this proposal and prioritise the protection of Lane Cove’s unique natural heritage and biodiversity.

Kind regards,
Dave Matthews
Resident of the area adjacent to LCNP for 26 years, bush regenerator working within LCNP

I am writing to raise urgent concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed Julius Road Data Centre in North Ryde, particularly its effects on the local wildlife habitat adjacent to Lane Cove National Park. While the need for digital infrastructure is acknowledged, it must not come at the cost of irreplaceable ecological assets.
The development will reportedly result in the removal of approximately 500 trees, including over 300 mature specimens that provide critical habitat features such as nesting hollows . These trees are part of a vital habitat corridor that connects to Lane Cove National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in Sydney’s north-west. Many of these trees have taken over a century to develop the hollows necessary for native birds, mammals, and reptiles to survive.
We often walk through Lane Cove National Park and are often amazed that how some of the unique wildlife manage to survive as their habitat is increasingly encroached upon. We have seen
Powerful Owls – a threatened species that relies on large tree hollows for nesting.
Eastern Pygmy Possums – a small, nocturnal marsupial vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.
Grey-headed Flying Foxes – a keystone pollinator listed as vulnerable under national legislation.
Fairy-wrens – a small bird dependent on dense understorey vegetation.
Eastern Long-necked Turtles – found in nearby waterways and vulnerable to pollution and habitat loss
and a myriad of other parrots and small birds that rely on tree hollows and underlying vegetation to survive. These species are part of a delicate ecological web that is already under pressure from urban expansion. The removal of mature trees and disruption of understorey vegetation will reduce food sources, breeding sites, and safe corridors for movement.
As the site borders the Lane Cove National Park and forms part of a broader wildlife corridor that supports species migration and genetic diversity. I have no doubt that fragmenting this corridor with a large-scale industrial facility will isolate populations and increase the risk of local extinctions.
While the developer has reportedly proposed planting 750 new trees to offset the loss, these saplings will take decades to develop the ecological functions of the mature trees being removed. As conservationists have noted, “pulling them down and planting another sapling over the way doesn’t really do the trick”
Given the significant ecological risks, I respectfully urge the following actions:
Conduct a full and independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with a focus on threatened species and habitat connectivity.
Explore alternative site layouts that preserve mature trees and critical habitat zones.
Implement long-term biodiversity monitoring and habitat restoration programs in collaboration with local conservation groups.
Require meaningful community consultation and transparency throughout the planning process.
The Julius Road Data Centre must not proceed without robust safeguards for the local environment. Our natural heritage and the species that depend on it deserve protection. Once they are gone they are gone!

My family have been on the Fairyland walk and other tracks along the Lane Cove River in North Ryde. It is a very special natural area that is home to many birds, mammals and other precious wildlife and plants. I have seen and photographed them myself. I would be very sad to know that many of their vital sheltering trees were to be cut down for this proposed data centre. There are precious few remaining mature trees left next to our National Park, the iconic Fairyland walk and Lane Cove River that I don't think we can afford to just destroy 300 more trees and the important tree hollows along with them.

I'm making a rare objection to this project. This location's proximity to a Metro station reasonably close to the city means it would be better suited for high density housing. There's no denying the necessity for data centres, but because they have so few employees, this would be much better suited for somewhere more rural.

Whilst I acknowledge the need for data centres in this age of technology, I cannot fathom the disregard for environmental protection. The NSW government has made a commitment to greening Sydney, yet we continue to see planning projects that destroy environmentally sensitive green space. Does the government have no conscience when it comes to endangered flora and fauna? Data centres are known to create noise and impact water sources - please, leave our national park spaces, and those directly adjoining them, alone.

I am concerned with the significant loss of trees on this site which is bordering on part of the Lane Cove National Park. Without a clear buffer zone a data centre will:
- impact wildlife - nocturnal animals will be disturbed due to noise, excess heat & lighting during and post construction.
- put the national park and surrounding residents at a higher fire risk due to the diesel on site.
- Impact sediment flow into the river during construction. This has been seen at the development at Chatswood golf course despite planning in place.
- Loss of trees which are much needed in an age of climate change & pollution.
- Soil loss due to run off and on site construction.
- Loss of natural space for people who live close to the city to truly enjoy nature.
There are many other more suitable sites around Sydney in established industrial areas. If we are to consider a decent future for our future generations we need to consider the impact we are making on the natural world. Data Centres already use too much energy and placing a building like this by destroying natural bushland must be reconsidered.

There are better sites in industrial areas that do not border national park. Placing a data centre next to a National Park is not taking into account the reason national parks were set up in the first place.

I personally oppose the plan to go ahead because it will  result in the removal of trees that are part of the important habitat corridor right next to the Park and the Great North Walk near Fairyland.

This is the major threat to the loss of habitat for three threatened fauna species, namely: Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri, Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis and Large Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus orianae oceanensis, and four threatened plant species, being Darwinia biflora, Deyeuxia appressa, Hibbertia spanantha and Rhizanthella slateri.

I would like to ensure that the biodiversity impacts of the proposal are assessed

Too many trees being destroyed again

Dear NSW Major Projects

I am totally AGAINST the needless destruction of so many trees and so much habitat -which is such a vital habitat corridor for Lane Cove National Park. The broader community also seems to have had more than enough of the desecration of natural heritage. Especially when we are in the middle of an "extinction crisis". This proposal appears to involve the clearing of 500 plus mature trees...many of which contain important nesting hollows. There does not seem to be any attempt by the developer to 'avoid' impacts to native vegetation and threatened species. Demonstration of avoidance is the fundamental first step under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.(i.e. Before considering offsets, developers must demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to avoid harm to biodiversity values). Biodiversity offsets are broadly recognised anyway as a rort and a scam to enable inappropriate development. Even so Section 6.4 of the BC Act sets out the purpose of the Biodiversity Offset Scheme… this clause establishes a requirement to identify appropriate biodiversity conservation measures to offset or compensate for impacts on biodiversity values, after steps are taken to AVOID or MINIMISE those impacts. A major concern Iwith this proposal is the loss of significant 'rocky outcrop' and cave habitat areas which are significant habitat to threatened microbats - Large Bent-wing Bat, Little Bent-winged Bat and Large-eared Pied Bat. Whilst the developer is required to pay species credits to offset impacts to these threatened species and their habitat ( a total scam as mentioned previously), caves and rocky outcrops are NOT habitat types that can be easily offset - certainly not by planting trees elsewhere. I note that the media is closely following this issue and the overwhelming feedback is that this poposal should be radically modified to avoid such wholesale and unacceptable destruction. Even the proponent's website mentions that they support "sustainabiiity" . Now let's see them prove it.

I am objecting to the proposed Julius Ave Data Centre adjoining Land Cove National Park.
It is a gross over development of the site and will result in massive damage to the adjoining Land Cove National Park:
• The removal of over 500 trees
• The loss of the important habitat corridor adjacent to the Park
• Visual damage to the international tourist attraction, Great North Walk which stretches from Sydney to Newcastle
• Loss of habitat for threatened fauna species:
o Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri
o Large Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus orianae oceanensis
o Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis
• Loss of habitat for threatened plant species:
o Darwinia biflora
o Rhizanthella slateri
o Hibbertia spanantha
o Deyeuxia appressa
I also gather that data centres are huge consumers of water and huge producers of heat. This is totally inappropriate in this location.
The Application must be rejected.

I support technology advancement, AI and the need for additional data centres across Australia and in Sydney. I am a civil engineer and have worked in project mangement of major SSD developments for both the NSW Government and the private sector over the past 25 years.
The site is presently heavily treed with both regrowth and original established tree canopy, possiblycovered by as much as 75% mature trees and is ossentibly part of the Lane Cove River foreshore and animal habitat corridor.

The design and landscape plans shows that nearly all exisitng tree cover on the site are to be removed but does not show any detail on this matter. The landscape plan shows extensive replanting of trees around carparks, new internal roads and the buildings.

The Applicant , ISPT on their website via an AI SUMMARY states a strong commitment to ESG compliance and principles:
"ISPT has strong green credentials, achieving 100% carbon neutral certification for its corporate offices and base building operations on owned and operated properties. This certification, awarded by Climate Active, is part of a broader ESG strategy focused on climate change, resource efficiency, and social impact. ISPT's efforts include reducing emissions, increasing renewable energy usage, and prioritizing circular economy principles. This proposed design shows that ISPT has complete disregard for the impacts and risks of this development on the environment now and for the life of this data centre and is contrary to their corporate motherhood statements.

In the EIS page 22/23 section 2.7.2 reference is made to the North District Plan and that the Greater Sydney Commission's strategic aim includes at bullit point 9 "Enhancing the quality and improving access to open space, and increasing urban tree
canopy;" The design does just the OPPOSITE. The design shows the removal of the tree canopy over the steeply sloping site abutting the Lane Cove River.
At section 6.1.13.2 Water management commentary is provided referencing TTW's OSD and stormwater management calculations but the sensitity of this location immediatly adjacent to the Lane Cove rRver is lost in this application. All that is stated is that the modelling is in compliance with "Stormwater has been designed in accordance with the RDCP 2014 and the Stormwater Management Technical Manual 2014. RDCP 2014" and DRAINS modelling.

Futher the applicant seeks approval for 1,272,000 litres of diesel to be held onsite presumably to run the diesel back up generators and 35,280 kilograms of Lithium ion backup baTteries. These are huge numbers and totally out of proportion with any exisitng commerical use in the Macquarie Park precinct. Each has these has the potential to create immense environmental damage and runoff both during construction and once the data centre goes into operation. The risk to the habitat in and adjacent to the Lane Cove River and then downstream to the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour cannot be overstated. There is no risk management plan and the applicant does not seem to be aware of the risks this project whll create.

The proposed site seems totally inappropirate for use as a data centre AND THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE REJECTED ON THIS SITE IN FULL.

As a frequent visitor to Lane Cove National Park, I strongly object to the proposed data centre at Julius Avenue, North Ryde.
Reasons for objection:
• Critically endangered ecosystem: The project would remove over 500 trees and impact 1.2 ha of Sydney Coastal Enriched Sandstone Forest. The proponent’s BDAR acknowledges the risk of serious and irreversible biodiversity impacts.
• Threatened species: The site is known habitat for three threatened animal species and four threatened plant species, which would be further jeopardised.
• Noise and amenity: Constant mechanical noise from cooling systems and generators would disturb wildlife, undermine the tranquility of the national park, and diminish the experience for bushwalkers and residents.
• Conflicts with planning policy: The site falls within a designated landscape setback under the Macquarie Park Design Guide—intended to retain mature vegetation and the green character. Large‑scale clearing directly contradicts the NSW Government’s rezoning objectives, environment, and climate policies.
Requested outcome:
• Refuse the proposal due to unacceptable and potentially irreversible environmental impacts and inconsistency with established planning controls. If not refused, require a full redesign that avoids clearing the critically endangered community, retains the entire landscape setback with no net canopy loss, enforces strict noise limits, and only considers offsets after genuine avoidance and minimisation.
Please prioritise conservation and community amenity over an inappropriate land use at this location.

I am a local resident and frequent user of the Great North Walk and Lane Cove National Park. I strongly object to the proposed data centre near the Julius Avenue entrance in North Ryde.
Key concerns:
Loss of critically endangered ecosystem: The proposal involves clearing 509 trees and impacting 1.2 hectares of Sydney Coastal Enriched Sandstone Forest—a critically endangered ecological community. The proponent’s own Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) flags potential serious and irreversible impacts on biodiversity.
Threatened species at risk: The site is known habitat for three threatened animal species and four threatened plant species, which would be further jeopardised by clearing and ongoing industrial activity.
Noise and amenity impacts: Continuous mechanical noise from cooling systems and backup generators would degrade the tranquility of Lane Cove National Park, disturb native wildlife, and diminish the experience for bushwalkers and the broader community who value this natural setting.
Inconsistency with planning and climate policy: The area sits within a designated landscape setback under the Macquarie Park Design Guide, intended to retain mature vegetation and reinforce the green character. Extensive tree clearing in this setback appears to contradict the NSW Government’s stated objectives for rezoning, amenity, biodiversity conservation, and climate change policy.
Better land use options: The Macquarie Park/North Ryde rezoning seeks improved housing and amenity outcomes. A high-impact, noise‑generating facility in a sensitive, vegetated setback undermines those aims and sets a poor precedent.
Requests:
Refuse the development application in its current form on the basis of unacceptable, potentially irreversible biodiversity impacts and conflict with established planning controls and policy intent.
If not refused, require a fundamentally redesigned proposal that:
Avoids clearing of the critically endangered ecological community and maintains the full landscape setback with no net loss of canopy;
Demonstrates no serious and irreversible impacts consistent with the BDAR and Biodiversity Conservation Act principles;
Implements enforceable noise limits that protect national park values and wildlife;
Provides genuine like‑for‑like biodiversity offsets only after exhausting avoidance and minimisation, with independent ecological peer review.
North Ryde’s bushland is irreplaceable. Please prioritise biodiversity, community amenity, and climate-aligned planning over an inappropriate land use at this location.

This plan going ahead will result in the removal of 509 trees (Page 9 of EIS - Julius Avenue Data Centre 240625) that are part of the important habitat corridor right next to the Park and the Great North Walk near Fairyland.

Heat island effects, loss of animal habitat, bushfire risk and noise are other issues.

There is loss of habitat for three threatened fauna species, namely: Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri, Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis and Large Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus orianae oceanensis, and four threatened plant species, being Darwinia biflora, Deyeuxia appressa, Hibbertia spanantha and Rhizanthella slateri.

This project proposes removal of 509 trees and impact 1.2 hectares of Sydney Coastal Enriched Sandstone Forest—a critically endangered ecological community.
The site is also known habitat for three threatened animal species and four threatened plant species, all of which could be put at further risk.
Even the development’s own Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) acknowledges the potential for serious and irreversible impacts on local biodiversity.
This bushland setting is not an appropriate location for a data centre as they are known to produce constant mechanical noise from cooling systems and backup generators. This could disrupt the tranquility of Lane Cove National Park, disturb native wildlife, and negatively affect bushwalkers and others who value the area’s peace and natural setting.
It’s also worth noting that the NSW Government rezoned the Macquarie Park and North Ryde area to improve housing and amenity. According to the Macquarie Park Design Guide the area affected by this proposal falls within a designated landscape setback—meant to retain and reinforce the green character with mature vegetation.
The current development proposal, which involves significant tree clearing in this setback, appears to directly contradict the NSW Government’s own planning and climate change policies. Planting new trees does not replace the value that mature trees provide, and that takes decades to recover.

While I understand our increasing need for data centres, what I've read in the environmental report concerns me as someone who regularly walks and works in my local forests (I work full-time as a bush regenerator, for context).

As outlined on page 133 (p.146 in the pdf doc), 6.1.9, this project will have significant impact on biodiversity, including on endangered species. The regrowth at the site after the 2009 bedrock removal will be of local natives that will be difficult to replace (even if the same species are located, seed from other sites won't be as well suited and won't grow as well, the same biodiversity will not be achieved, and the unknown fungal communities that make our forests function will be greatly reduced or no longer present). Although the presence of woody weeds in the area is unfortunate, these can be removed with minimal work if council decides; but even if they weren't, lantana and privet are commonly used as habitat by tens of species of small birds and lizards, insects and all their predators.

I agree with the report that the endangered Darwinia biflora is almost certainly present on site (though I'm less familiar with the presence of bent-wing bat species, that doesn't mean they're not there). I've personally found it in many similar enriched sandstone forests, just like the hectares this project proposes to remove.

Moreover, the noise, air and water pollution, the rubbish, erosion and even things as small as food scraps discarded by workers, will all affect many more hectares of forest, not just the ones proposed to be removed. Weeds creep in from disturbance, meaning bush regenerators like me will need to be called in in the future, and more money will need to be spent on maintaining the forest around the proposed data centre. Local predators and pollinating birds will leave because of the noise, unbalancing ecosystems and letting local populations of plants die without their natural pollinators. Increased run-off will inevitably get into local creeks, further reducing water quality. A few years ago, I found a platypus in nearby St Ives - they live in far lower-quality waters than we used to think - and the creeks there and the ones in Ryde all feed into each other. That is to say, projects like this one have extraordinarily more far-reaching consequences than you may realise.

I imagine this project will go ahead regardless - I'm a bit cynical I'm afraid - but I'd like to thank you for reading and considering my voice. We have so little bushland left, and while I'd be happy for this project to go ahead on a lot that needed development, or somewhere else already cleared, I can't help but object to its location here. Thank you.

My name is Ron Cooper, and my address is 1/2 Morven Gardens Greenwich. I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed removal of 509 trees in Lane Cove National Park. The removal of these trees will result in significant habitat loss for native wildlife, including birds and small mammals including echidna, several different types of possums, at least 2 different types of Lace Monitors and many other types of reptiles, will all be negatively impacted biodiversity in the area. The trees accomodate people to get aways from built up environment city sounds and be able to get back to nature.
We need more trees, not less!!

I urge the council to consider alternative options that minimize harm to the environment, such as adjusting the development plans to avoid tree removal or implementing measures to protect and relocate affected wildlife. I strongly believe that preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Lane Cove National Park is essential, and I urge the council to reconsider their decision to remove these trees.