Mamre Road Data Centre Campus

To whom it may concern,

I am both appalled and disheartened by the actions of the elected representatives in the Australian Commonwealth who seem to believe that the citizens of Australia should have no input regarding the land we live on and our way of life.

It should be self-evident that any significant infrastructure project affecting our future should be subjected to a fair vote by the people of Australia, keeping our future in consideration.

We are a nation that battles bushfires nearly every year, yet you have proposed the mass establishment of data centres that demand substantial water resources. There is no logic behind that decision.

In reality, it is difficult to comprehend any reason why these initiatives would be expedited, overlooked by media outlets, evaded by government officials when genuine concerns of the average Australian are raised, and not presented for public voting unless there is a financial incentive that elected officials are benefiting from.

The average Australian does not care about the expansion of AI. They do not have a vested interest in the financial benefits that these proposed Data Centres aim to generate. It is the common Australian who is supporting the development of these Data Centres, and it is our lives that will bear the brunt of the consequences.

To further my point:
- Data Centres will ​increase the cost of living by driving up electricity expenses and straining resources. This financial burden is one that many ordinary Australians cannot afford, consequently driving the wage gap even higher for the majority of middle-income families.

- Data Centres will lead to the displacement of jobs. This means that hard-working Australians will be the ones to suffer. Positions such as data entry, customer service, accounting, software development, warehouse duties, and other office roles are expected to become automated, resulting in everyday Australians being pushed out of the workforce. Not only does this widen the wage gap even further, but it also makes it challenging for many Australians to find work in their areas of expertise.

- Data Centres lack sufficient and reliable statistics to understand the impact on the environment.

- Data Centres will increase energy demand.

- Data Centres will contribute to noise pollution.

To conclude my statement, I would like to share a quote that the Australian government once lived by:

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” - T.Bert Lance.

Kind regards,
Elizabeth

I object

1. Proximity to residential areas
The proposed facility is too close to residential properties for a development of this scale and intensity.
The Department should require detailed assessment of the impact on nearby homes.
Particular consideration should be given to 24-hour operational noise, including low-frequency and tonal noise, and the potential for sleep disturbance.

2. Proximity to schools
The proposal is also located in close proximity to two primary schools and two high schools.
The potential impact on children, teachers and school communities requires specific assessment, including:
construction noise, dust and vibration;
diesel emissions;
heavy vehicle movements;
generator testing;
operational noise;
traffic and pedestrian safety; and
emergency and fire risks associated with large-scale diesel storage.
A specific assessment of the impact on each nearby school should be undertaken before the application is determined.

3. Water supply and pressure
I am concerned about the amount of water required to operate a facility containing 936 cooling units and the potential impact on local water infrastructure.
The applicant should demonstrate that the development will not reduce the water pressure, reliability or availability of water to surrounding residential properties, particularly during periods of peak demand, drought or emergency conditions.
The Department should require independent assessment of:
peak and annual water demand;
the capacity of existing water infrastructure;
potential impacts on residential water pressure;
emergency water requirements; and
the source and disposal of water used by the facility.
Residential water supply should not be compromised to service a private industrial development.

4. Water quality and chemical contamination
The cooling systems and associated infrastructure may require treatment chemicals and other substances.
The applicant should identify all chemicals to be stored, used or discharged and demonstrate that they cannot contaminate groundwater, stormwater or water infrastructure.
Independent baseline and ongoing testing should be required to detect any contamination, chemical accumulation or deterioration in local water quality.
This is particularly important given the proximity of residential properties and schools.

5. Noise and diesel generators
The proposed 852 diesel generators and 936 cooling units create significant concerns about ongoing noise and air emissions.
Generator testing and emergency operation should be assessed separately from normal operational noise, with particular attention to night-time impacts.
Strict, independently monitored noise limits should apply at the nearest residential properties and schools.

6. Diesel storage, fire and environmental risk
The proposed storage of approximately 14,430 kL of diesel represents a substantial fire, spill and contamination risk.
The Department should require independent assessment of the consequences of fire, fuel leaks, spills and contamination of soil, groundwater and stormwater, including the potential impact on nearby residential properties and schools.

7. Traffic and construction
Construction of a facility of this magnitude will generate significant heavy vehicle movements, noise, dust and congestion.
The traffic assessment should specifically address impacts on residential streets, school zones, pedestrians and nearby intersections.

8. Cumulative impacts
This development should not be assessed in isolation.
The Mamre Road and Kemps Creek precinct is experiencing significant industrial development. The Department should assess the cumulative impact of this project together with other existing and proposed developments, particularly regarding noise, traffic, water demand, air quality, electricity infrastructure, diesel storage and loss of residential amenity.

9. Requested outcome
Given the scale of the proposed development and its proximity to residential properties and four schools, I request that the application be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate through independent evidence that the development will not materially adversely affect residential amenity, school environments, water supply, water quality, air quality, safety or local infrastructure.
If approval is contemplated, strict and enforceable conditions should require independent monitoring of noise, air quality, water quality, water consumption, water pressure, generator operation, fuel storage and construction impacts, with monitoring results made publicly available

As a member of the Australian public who loves our nature and wants to save the environment for future generations, we should all be saying NO to this data center! There is no benefit to be had with this data center that can't be better achieved with less destructive means and also it will drastically raise electricity prices. It's ridiculous that this data center will be able to consume more power than the entire city of Adelaide if it is allowed to be built.

I am writing on behalf of the Sydney Knitting Nannas & Friends, a group of older people who want to ensure a healthy climate and environment for generations to come. Our membership includes a range of retired and working professionals in fields such as public health research, others with legal qualifications and environmental citizen science experience in the areas of waste, water and biodiversity.

We object to the Construction and operation of a data centre campus in western Sydney.

1. Environmental Impacts

Electricity Demand and Emissions

The CEFC/Baringa report estimates Australian data centre electricity consumption could rise to between 24-35TWh annually by 2035, approximately 8–11% of Australian electricity consumption (up from 1-2% today) (CEFC & Baringa, 2025). The report warns that unmanaged growth could increase wholesale electricity prices by 26% in NSW, while increasing National Electricity Market emissions by 14% (CEFC & Baringa, 2025). Energy-intensive AI infrastructure creates demand that is largely continuous, unlike many industrial loads that can be reduced during peak demand periods.

This centre will emit a current maximum of 1,700,709t CO₂-e/year. This is equivalent to the total annual carbon footprint of between 85,035 and 113,381 average Australian homes.

Recommendation 1: Aiming for Net Zero isn’t enough - it needs to be a requirement that the campus will be running with 100% renewables immediately.

Water Consumption

Water consumption is an increasingly significant concern, particularly in Western Sydney. Clear priority should be given to human consumption, and planning must consider the possibility of extended future droughts.
Recommendation 2: Mandate annual public reporting of water consumption, water sources and recycling rates. Make a requirement (not a “nice to have”) that this centre uses non-drinkable water sources.

Land Use and Ecological Impacts

The concentration of development in western Sydney raises broader concerns regarding land availability, biodiversity loss, urban heat effects and competing demands for housing. The NSW Government has already restricted a new data centre development in Macquarie Park because of competition with housing needs (CEFC & Baringa, 2025).

Australia should avoid repeating mistakes seen internationally, where planning systems failed to account for cumulative impacts until
development had already accelerated.

Recommendation 3: The ESD report says “The development in its current design is therefore likely to contribute to localised nighttime warming whilst not exacerbating daytime peak temperatures, though localised hotspots may still occur on specific surfaces, particularly those with low reflectivity or limited shading. These results provide a quantitative basis for considering mitigation strategies such as increased vegetation, highly reflectivity roofs, and shaded areas, which can help reduce heat retention and improve local thermal comfort during night-time periods.”

2. Social and Community Impacts

Property Values and Community Amenity

Recent Australian polling found that 83% of Australians would require a discount to purchase a house near a data centre, with the average discount exceeding $35,000 because of environmental issues (Realestate.com.au, 2026). While this evidence is survey-based rather than transaction-based, it indicates a significant emerging social licence issue.

Employment Claims Should Be Scrutinised

Governments and developers frequently promote job creation benefits. However, data centres create most employment during construction. Once operational, they employ relatively small workforces compared with manufacturing, healthcare, education or other industries occupying equivalent land. Policy should therefore distinguish between temporary construction jobs and long-term employment.

3. Economic Return on Investment for Australia

A key question is whether Australia receives sufficient economic value from hosting data centres. Proponents cite estimates that AI and automation could contribute up to $600 billion to GDP by 2030 (CEFC & Baringa, 2025).

However, GDP growth should not be accepted as proof of public benefit. Important questions remain:

Do benefits justify the environmental and other costs?
How much revenue remains in Australia, and how much profit is repatriated overseas?
How many permanent Australian jobs are created?
How much taxpayer-funded infrastructure supports these developments?

Please reconsider this proposal, there does not need to be a data centre in Penrith.

Yours sincerely,
Wendy Dorrington
For the Sydney Knitting Nannas & Friends
25 August 2026


References
https://www.cefc.com.au/insights/datacentres/
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/data-centres-could-wipe-35000-from-house-prices-as-buyers-demand-huge-discounts/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-30/carbon-neutral-households/100165072
https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-92743706%2120260119T011319.807+GMT
https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-92743706%2120260119T012428.711+GMT

I vehemently object to this project moving forward. I have been a citizen of the Penrith area for decades now. I grew up here. I do not want to see our resources; our First Nations people's land being used for this behemoth building that will not provide benefit to our community. The people who are planning this think it may, but how dare they think that, or even bring this proposal forward?
How dare they, when the majority of opinion between all demographics is that AI is not a tool that will sustain our future, but is one that will destroy it. And for what? It only brings out the worst in humanity, people use it to create porn images of unwilling women and children. People use it to substitute creativity whether that be the written word, a song, an image, a video. Everything will look and sound the same and for what? The people of Penrith will not have an edge. No, they will never be proud of this if it goes forward, it will be a black stain on us. Our home prices will drop, once people around it start getting sick, start dying. Surrounding infrastructure will not be able to keep up and living here will be a different kind of nightmare.
I don't understand why our council hasn't kicked this to the curb? Why don't you take money from the obscenely rich and invest it in our under privileged in Penrith? And before you think to yourself "this will help the under privileged in time" don't delude yourself, this is rigged to help the developers and tech giants. They will undoubtedly, use these data centres to spy on everyday people, you know it will, all for the sake of swindling as many dollars away from the already struggling people of this world, all so they can bathe each other in gold.
Data centres, heat up their surrounding environments. Penrith is already so hot in the summer and with the current build of houses not being insulated at all people will get sick, they will get heat stroke. Unless they switch on their air conditioning that will increase their energy bill, more than it has already been increased by the data centre. And what water will they drink to cool down, to cook with, to clean with, to live with? Majority of the water will go to the data centre! How on God's green Earth are you justifying this? There is not enough money to justify this in the world.
Water scarcity, the electricity demand, environmental impacts on wildlife, flora and fauna, the impact those things will in turn have on quality of human life as well as the financial impacts it will no doubt have are just not worth a large box of technology to essentially collect our data, have it run through AI, to take our money & freedoms away from us. This is just not the Australian way.

And if those are things you do not care about, think about all the places data centres are going up. They will turn into a huge exit plan for everyone who has faithfully lived in this great, diverse community for decades. Generational (you know, the richer of us) residents will up and leave once people get sick & die, they'll take their money bags and go live somewhere else with no data centre. They will faithfully being to give their money to a different council as will the middle class and anyone else who can get out.
NOBODY WANTS THIS.
Additionally, how dare you have it near a school? How dare you propose that, without having done in-dept, IN-DEPTH, research from multiple institutions across multiple years on how this affects the human body, how dare you?! Are you willing to be blamed and sued, lawsuit after lawsuit for irrevocable damage to youngsters by being around an AI data centre? I do not, will not permit my taxes, my hard earned money to go towards any lawsuit that harms a child because of this being built, in that I do not want it built, I do not want it harming any children in any way!

How do you expect to keep the data in there safe? It will never be safe enough. Medicare information has been taken from us by hackers in the past, medical insurance information, companies regularly get hacked as does the government and government officials. If the safety of children cannot be thought of, how can the safety of the data they will be collecting? How? The safety measures and protocols in the proposal will not be enough. It never will be. The AI data centre, will just be a central place for a hacker to look.
You endanger society and humanity if you do this. Not just this one, but all of them.
Nobody wants a bloody AI data centre, nobody wants a tech hub, nobody wants a Microsoft hub. No. These people do not respect Penrith, the land, the people, our ways and they definitely don't respect the council. They may give you a wad of cash here & there but that is ephemeral. You are nothing to them. You could be everything to the people of Penrith if you stop this from happening.
You want to have glory & cash? Save the people of Penrith from this mindlessness. And it is literal mindlessness.

https://www.greenpeace.org.au/greenpeace-reports/report-environmental-impacts-of-artificial-intelligence/

Position

I am writing to object to the proposed Mamre Road Data Centre (SSD-92743706)

- I do not believe this development benefits our communities.
- I believe the project should be refused, or at the very least significantly reconsidered with stronger conditions due to the reasons provided for below.



1. Water & Infrastructure

I am concerned that this development is being pushed forward before the basic infrastructure is ready, as stated by Sydney Water.
Current information indicates:
- Local water and sewer systems don’t have the capacity to support something of this scale
- The broader servicing strategy for the area is yet to be worked out
- The stormwater plan appears to rely on temporary or not-yet-built solutions

It doesn’t feel responsible to approve a major, long-term development:
- Before permanent systems are in place
- While key planning decisions are still unresolved
- This risks creating long-term environmental and infrastructure problems that are difficult to fix later



2. Air Quality (Diesel Generators)

I am particularly worried about the sheer number of diesel generators proposed.
These are to be located close to:
- Homes
- Schools
- An aged care facility

Even if they are mostly for backup, they will still:
- Be tested regularly
- Potentially operate during outages or grid stress
- be storing 15.8 million litres of diesel within close proximity to our communities.

There are clear concerns that:
- Air quality impacts may have been underestimated
- Pollution limits could still be exceeded in certain scenarios, even with the amended report
- I don’t think it’s acceptable to rely on the idea that harmful events are “unlikely”, especially when children and elderly people are nearby



3. Noise & Long-Term Impacts

This project involves:
- Around 10 years of construction
- Followed by constant, 24/7 operations
- The project excusing their noise production based on existing noise production.
It’s concerning that the noise limits can be less strict, especially when concerning the wellbeing of our children.
Furthermore, 10 years is a long time for nearby communities to deal with ongoing disruption.

The impacts on people nearby could include:
- Sleep disruption
- Increased stress
- Negative effects on learning for students



4. Energy Demand & Grid Impact

The scale of energy required for this project is extremely large
This raises questions about:
- Pressure on the local electricity network
- Impacts during peak demand or heatwaves (which already affect Western Sydney)
- The facility’s commitment to phasing in renewable energy

Without these matters considered, the project will:
- Add strain to the grid
- Compete with households and small businesses for energy
- Contribute to greenhouse gases emissions



5. Broader & Cumulative Impacts

This proposal doesn’t exist in isolation, there are already multiple data centres in the Mamre Road area. I am concerned that the combined impacts of all these developments have not been properly assessed.

These include cumulative effects on:
- Water use (as voiced by Sydney Water)
- Energy demand
- Air quality
- Noise levels



Conclusion


Based on the concerns above, I ask that this application be refused.

If it is not refused, then at a minimum:

- Do not proceed until essential infrastructure is already planned and in place
- Require independent, worst-case air quality modelling
- Apply stronger noise protections, especially for schools
- Require clear and enforceable renewable energy commitments
- Undertake a full cumulative impact assessment across the precinct

I am writing to object to State Significant Development Application SSD-92743706 for the Mamre Road Data Centre Campus.

I ask that the Department, and ultimately the Independent Planning Commission, to refuse this project. My objection is grounded in five main areas of concern: water resources, air quality, noise, energy consumption, and broader environmental and cumulative impacts. I outline each below.

1. Water Resources and Inadequate Infrastructure
I am concerned that this development is being assessed for approval well ahead of the water and wastewater infrastructure needed to actually support it.
Sydney Water's own feasibility advice on this site states plainly that the existing drinking water system has very limited capacity to service the proposed development and may require significant trunk network upgrades, and that the sewer network servicing the site "was not designed to handle such a large flow." The servicing strategy for data centres in the Mamre Road precinct is under review due to known capacity constraints, with that review not due to complete until late 2026 — after this application is determined.
The proposal's stormwater management strategy is similarly reliant on a regional stormwater scheme that does not yet exist. The interim arrangements proposed (temporary detention tanks, local irrigation of undeveloped land, and a "diversion" of flows still being negotiated with Sydney Water) are stop-gap measures for a facility that will operate 24/7 for years before the permanent regional infrastructure is delivered.
I do not believe consent should be granted for a facility of this scale while: the local drinking water and sewer networks are acknowledged by Sydney Water to have inadequate capacity; the stormwater strategy depends on infrastructure that is not yet built, funded, or approved; and the precinct-wide servicing strategy for data centres specifically is still under active review.
Approving this application now pre-empts and undermines that review, and risks locking in infrastructure and environmental outcomes before the servicing strategy for the whole precinct has even been settled.
I also note that Penrith City Council's own submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry on Data Centres highlights that Sydney's data centres could consume up to 25% of Sydney's total water demand by 2035 under high-growth scenarios. Precinct-wide, cumulative water demand from data centres in this area does not appear to have been adequately assessed in this application.

2. Air Quality
This facility includes 842 diesel backup generators and approximately 15,842 kilolitres of diesel fuel storage. This is an enormous concentration of diesel plant, located close to established residential areas and, critically, close to several schools and an aged care facility (Emmaus Catholic College, Trinity Catholic Primary School, Mamre Anglican School, and the Emmaus Retirement Village/Aged Care Facility).
I am concerned that:
Routine and system-level generator testing, as well as any mains power failure event triggering simultaneous operation of a large number of generators, will result in periodic but significant diesel emissions in close proximity to sensitive receivers, including children and elderly residents.
The NSW EPA raised extensive concerns on the original air quality assessment, finding that it failed to account for realistic operating scenarios beyond routine testing — including grid voltage disturbances, load shedding directed by the market operator, and possible grid-firming arrangements — and that it materially underestimated calm wind conditions in its meteorological modelling and understated likely generator operating hours.
Even the applicant's own revised assessment, finalised only weeks before this exhibition period, confirms that significant exceedances of the NO2, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM10/PM2.5) criteria are still predicted at residential receptors under emergency multi-generator operating scenarios. The applicant's response is not that these exceedances won't occur, but that the probability of the triggering power outage is low. I do not consider a "low probability" argument an adequate basis on which to approve a facility of this scale directly adjacent to schools and an aged care home.
Cumulative air quality modelling covering other existing, approved and proposed data centres in the Mamre Road Precinct was only added to the assessment after the EPA identified inconsistencies in how the applicant had modelled nearby facilities in the original submission. Given this history, I do not have confidence that the cumulative modelling now relied upon has been independently and rigorously verified.
I do not consider it acceptable for a development of this intensity — effectively hosting the diesel generation capacity of a small power station — to be approved directly adjacent to schools and an aged care facility without independently verified, worst-case air quality modelling covering all realistic failure and testing scenarios, and without binding, enforceable conditions limiting generator testing to times and durations that do not affect school and recreational hours.

3. Noise and Vibration
The proposal involves 24-hour, 7-day operation for an estimated 10-year construction period, plus decades of ongoing operational noise from cooling systems, electrical infrastructure and generator testing.
I am particularly concerned that:

The NSW EPA recommended an internal noise goal of 35 dB(A) for the nearby schools in the long-term scenario, consistent with standard protections for educational facilities. The applicant's assessment instead relies on a higher 40 dB(A) threshold, using a provision in the Noise Policy for Industry that applies where schools are already affected by existing industrial noise. Using an existing noise problem to justify a weaker standard for a new and larger noise source does not protect the acoustic amenity that students and aged care residents are entitled to.
Given the extended, roughly decade-long construction period, cumulative noise and "noise fatigue" impacts on nearby schools, the retirement village, and residents have not been given sufficient weight. NSW Health raised this same concern in its submission, specifically flagging risks of increased stress, sleep disruption, disruption to learning, and psychosocial impacts from prolonged, overlapping construction and operational noise.
Overlapping construction and operational noise (as later stages are built while earlier stages are already operating) has the potential to compound impacts on residents and sensitive receivers for years at a time, and I do not consider the proposed management measures sufficient to guarantee this will not cause real, ongoing harm to residents' quality of life, sleep, and wellbeing.

4. Energy Consumption and Grid Impact
This is a 1.2 gigawatt facility — an extraordinary amount of power for a single development, equivalent to a substantial fraction of the entire state's current data centre capacity. I am concerned about:
The impact of a load of this size on the reliability of the local electricity network and on electricity costs for surrounding residents, particularly during periods of peak demand or extreme heat, when Western Sydney is already vulnerable to strain on the grid.
The lack of a binding commitment, enforceable through consent conditions, that this facility will be powered by renewable energy sources rather than drawing on the general grid and effectively competing with local households and businesses for capacity.
The precedent this development sets for a precinct that is expected to accommodate multiple further data centres, without a clear, publicly available assessment of the cumulative power demand this land use is placing on the region.

5. Broader Environmental and Cumulative Impacts
Finally, I have broader concerns about the suitability of this scale of development on this site and in this location:

Council's own objection: Penrith City Council formally objected to this application on the grounds of the scale and suitability of the development for this site, and has separately raised concerns to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres about the cumulative strain data centres are placing on local utilities, land use planning, and community amenity in Western Sydney.
Cumulative precinct-wide impact: This is not an isolated development. The Mamre Road Precinct already hosts (or has approved) multiple data centres, including a large Microsoft facility. I do not believe the cumulative noise, air quality, traffic, water and energy impacts of this concentration of data centre development in one precinct have been properly assessed anywhere in the application material.
Scale relative to planning controls: the proposal, even after amendment, still substantially exceeds the height limits generally anticipated for this precinct under the Mamre Road Precinct Development Control Plan, and represents an intensity of industrial use well beyond what the precinct's founding planning documents envisaged.

Conclusion
For the reasons set out above, I object to State Significant Development Application SSD-92743706. I ask that the Department and the Independent Planning Commission refuse the application for the reasons and concerns laid out, especially on the basis that essential water and wastewater servicing infrastructure does not yet exist, the energy consumption of data centres on our grid, and the precinct-wide data centre servicing strategy remains under review.

I am writing to object to the proposed Mamre Road Data Centre (SSD-92743706)- I do not believe this development benefits our communities.
- I believe the project should be refused, or at the very least significantly reconsidered with stronger conditions due to the reasons provided for below.
1. Water & Infrastructure
I am concerned that this development is being pushed forward before the basic infrastructure is ready, as stated by Sydney Water.
Current information indicates:
- Local water and sewer systems don’t have the capacity to support something of this scale
- The broader servicing strategy for the area is yet to be worked out
- The stormwater plan appears to rely on temporary or not-yet-built solutions
It doesn’t feel responsible to approve a major, long-term development:
- Before permanent systems are in place
- While key planning decisions are still unresolved
- This risks creating long-term environmental and infrastructure problems that are difficult to fix later
2. Air Quality (Diesel Generators)
I am particularly worried about the sheer number of diesel generators proposed.
These are to be located close to:
- Homes
- Schools
- An aged care facility
Even if they are mostly for backup, they will still:
- Be tested regularly
- Potentially operate during outages or grid stress
- be storing 15.8 million litres of diesel within close proximity to our communities.
There are clear concerns that:
- Air quality impacts may have been underestimated
- Pollution limits could still be exceeded in certain scenarios, even with the amended report
- I don’t think it’s acceptable to rely on the idea that harmful events are “unlikely”, especially when children and elderly people are nearby
3. Noise & Long-Term Impacts
This project involves:
- Around 10 years of construction
- Followed by constant, 24/7 operations
- The project excusing their noise production based on existing noise production.
It’s concerning that the noise limits can be less strict, especially when concerning the wellbeing of our children.
Furthermore, 10 years is a long time for nearby communities to deal with ongoing disruption.
The impacts on people nearby could include:
- Sleep disruption
- Increased stress
- Negative effects on learning for students
4. Energy Demand & Grid Impact
The scale of energy required for this project is extremely large
This raises questions about:
- Pressure on the local electricity network
- Impacts during peak demand or heatwaves (which already affect Western Sydney)
- The facility’s commitment to phasing in renewable energy
Without these matters considered, the project will:
- Add strain to the grid
- Compete with households and small businesses for energy
- Contribute to greenhouse gases emissions
5. Broader & Cumulative Impacts
This proposal doesn’t exist in isolation, there are already multiple data centres in the Mamre Road area. I am concerned that the combined impacts of all these developments have not been properly assessed.
These include cumulative effects on:
- Water use (as voiced by Sydney Water)
- Energy demand
- Air quality
- Noise levels
Conclusion: Based on the concerns above, I ask that this application be refused.
If it is not refused, then at a minimum:
- Do not proceed until essential infrastructure is already planned and in place
- Require independent, worst-case air quality modelling
- Apply stronger noise protections, especially for schools
- Require clear and enforceable renewable energy commitments
- Undertake a full cumulative impact assessment across the precinct

I object to the project because it is an environmental disaster that will deliver no benefits to the local community, and I am extremely skeptical that data centres will even provide any broader economic benefits to ordinary people in Australia. The idea that increased productivity benefits the ordinary person assumes that the benefits of that productivity increase and consequent economic growth will be even distributed across the population - which it won't be, and it never is with anything else so why do we think it would be for data centres? Feverish support for data centres as "the industry of the future" ignores the fact that they are incredibly resource intensive, employ relatively few people, and rely on IP that is owned by foreign companies meaning much of the profit (it they turn out to be profitable) will flow offshore.

I am involved in a small community farm on Mamre Rd, so while I do not live in the area I visit multiple times a week. In addition to my broader, more general reasons for opposing a "full steam ahead" approach to data centres in general, I also oppose this specific data centre on the grounds that it is a silly use of land in this particular location.

The Sydney basin has lost over half of its agricultural land to urban sprawl, land banking, and development speculators just inside my life time (I am 32). This make Sydney's food supply more vulnerable to exogenous shocks and supply chain disruptions, which was painfully demonstrated to us during the pandemic when the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables soared and left many people unable to afford nutritious food. The Canterbury plain is some of the most productive land for food production in NSW outside the Northern Rivers - and more and more of it is being permanently lost because productive land keeps being allocated to more lucrative, often very speculative, uses. This will come back to bite us. The supply chains that feed Sydney are vulnerable to climate shocks and sensitive to the price of fuel. Agriculture will never be an economically competitive use of land compared to housing in Sydney, therefore if we leave it to the market to allocate land to different uses, at some point in the future Sydney will experiece acute shortages of food next time the Northern Rivers floods.

Allocating this much land to a data centre is madness in a context where Western Sydney needs to both reclaim some of it's lost productive land to agricultural use - AND also needs more housing. This will only benefit the already rich and powerful, leaving the local community to wear all the downsides.

To whomever it may concern,

The Mamre Road Data Centre Campus will have potentially detrimental effects on the environment and surrounding residents. I feel that not enough residents were consulted on the project and that Plan Project Management needs to be held accountable on the potential risks of the development during and after construction. More time should be taken to ensure that residents are informed of the possible adverse effects of data centres and to ensure that the project is managed sustainably.

Environmental impacts

The Mamre Road Data Centre Campus may have potential impacts on the environment that need to be assessed and discussed in more detail before the construction project is commenced.

A principal concern is the water use of the project, with the data centre potentially consuming 22.4 million litres of water annually. In an arid country where water scarcity is a major concern and residents are expected to cut down on water use during periods of drought, it is a concern that this large data centre will emphasise water stress. This will be particularly relevant in the ongoing climate, where extreme droughts and El Niño events, as well as a growing population, will increase water stress in Sydney. Sydney Water predicts that by 2035, data centres will contribute to 25% of drinking water usage, taking away resources from residents. In a world where our water resources are depleting, should the needs of civilians not be prioritised over data centres and profit of companies who run them?

Additionally, at least 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide will be released by the data centre. Carbon offsetting is not a sufficient solution to this air pollution, as local residents, including children at schools adjacent to the project land, will be exposed to this carbon, which may lead to chronic inflammation, stress and other adverse health effects.

In and around the site, there is connectivity for high mobility species and streams of multiple orders. Runoff from the data centre could pollute these streams, potentially harming residents and local wildlife. If the proposed data centre is built, certain high mobility species may be restricted to smaller areas, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Overall, the land clearing and potential runoff from the construction and data centre itself could result in a significant decrease in biodiversity in Penrith.

Impacts on residents

The data centre’s construction will involve significant noise levels. On top of this, generator use will lead to noise that may cause stress in residents, including at night, given the proposed 24/7 operation of the data centre. The noise pollution caused by the centre is especially of concern given the schools, aged care centre and places of worship located near the site.

The data centre will increase the urban heat island effect at night and in localised areas. This will not only impact the comfort levels of surrounding citizens but may result in increased water use from the data centre due to a local increase in heat. It is essential that ways to minimise urban heat island effects (beyond the current measures, which may be insufficient) and potential alternatives to using water cooling systems are considered before the project begins development.

The data centre will use large amounts of electricity, with a 1.2 gigawatt capacity. This will increase stress on the electrical grid and may lead to higher power bills for residents, as the demand for electricity increases.

Conclusion

Overall, with such a large data centre being built, more consultation from residents and environmental organisations are required to ensure that the health of both the surrounding communities and environments are protected. It is important that human wellbeing and environmental conservation are prioritised over profit and that the future of Sydney includes the dialogue of citizens, especially given the uncertainty towards the impact and regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the future.

I am writing to object to the proposed Mamre Road Data Centre (SSD-92743706)

- I do not believe this development benefits our communities.
- I believe the project should be refused, or at the very least significantly reconsidered with stronger conditions due to the reasons provided for below.



1. Water & Infrastructure

I am concerned that this development is being pushed forward before the basic infrastructure is ready, as stated by Sydney Water.
Current information indicates:
- Local water and sewer systems don’t have the capacity to support something of this scale
- The broader servicing strategy for the area is yet to be worked out
- The stormwater plan appears to rely on temporary or not-yet-built solutions

It doesn’t feel responsible to approve a major, long-term development:
- Before permanent systems are in place
- While key planning decisions are still unresolved
- This risks creating long-term environmental and infrastructure problems that are difficult to fix later



2. Air Quality (Diesel Generators)

I am particularly worried about the sheer number of diesel generators proposed.
These are to be located close to:
- Homes
- Schools
- An aged care facility

Even if they are mostly for backup, they will still:
- Be tested regularly
- Potentially operate during outages or grid stress
- be storing 15.8 million litres of diesel within close proximity to our communities.

There are clear concerns that:
- Air quality impacts may have been underestimated
- Pollution limits could still be exceeded in certain scenarios, even with the amended report
- I don’t think it’s acceptable to rely on the idea that harmful events are “unlikely”, especially when children and elderly people are nearby



3. Noise & Long-Term Impacts

This project involves:
- Around 10 years of construction
- Followed by constant, 24/7 operations
- The project excusing their noise production based on existing noise production.
It’s concerning that the noise limits can be less strict, especially when concerning the wellbeing of our children.
Furthermore, 10 years is a long time for nearby communities to deal with ongoing disruption.

The impacts on people nearby could include:
- Sleep disruption
- Increased stress
- Negative effects on learning for students



4. Energy Demand & Grid Impact

The scale of energy required for this project is extremely large
This raises questions about:
- Pressure on the local electricity network
- Impacts during peak demand or heatwaves (which already affect Western Sydney)
- The facility’s commitment to phasing in renewable energy

Without these matters considered, the project will:
- Add strain to the grid
- Compete with households and small businesses for energy
- Contribute to greenhouse gases emissions



5. Broader & Cumulative Impacts

This proposal doesn’t exist in isolation, there are already multiple data centres in the Mamre Road area. I am concerned that the combined impacts of all these developments have not been properly assessed.

These include cumulative effects on:
- Water use (as voiced by Sydney Water)
- Energy demand
- Air quality
- Noise levels



Conclusion


Based on the concerns above, I ask that this application be refused.

If it is not refused, then at a minimum:

- Do not proceed until essential infrastructure is already planned and in place
- Require independent, worst-case air quality modelling
- Apply stronger noise protections, especially for schools
- Require clear and enforceable renewable energy commitments
- Undertake a full cumulative impact assessment across the precinct

there is strong scientific evidence to support data centres being bad for the environment regarding their water and electricity usage. There is also strong evidence that the noise pollution made by the data centre would be very bad for local wildlife and very disruptive to local schools. Our government should not be allowing these data centres to be built, and instead invest in services that benefit the community such as free childcare and public housing among other things. I strongly object to this project.

As a Western Sydney local, I do not want a data centre to be in my area. This is because I believe that this data centre will further worsen the urban heat island effect in my area, which is already impacting the residents of Western Sydney even without an existing data centre. Furthermore, the construction of this data centre will impact resource usage within the area. Western Sydney, already disproportionately experiences poverty. I believe that this data centre would further worsen the local community's life quality and wealth inequality because of its resource usage. Meaning, this data centre will be using resources (electricity and water) that the local community could instead use, or it could drive up the prices of these resources.

See attached letter

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a resident of 8 Banksia Close, Lane Cove West, located approximately 150–200 metres from the proposed Project Mars Data Centre at 12 Mars Road.

I would like to formally object to this development based on the following concerns:

1. Proximity to Residential Area and Potential Health & Well being Impacts

The proposed data center is located in very close proximity to established residential housing. At an estimated distance of only around 150 meters from my home, this places my family, including my two young children, within the immediate impact zone.

While data centers are not traditionally classified as high-emission facilities, they operate continuously and rely on large-scale mechanical cooling systems and backup diesel generators. These can generate:

Continuous low-frequency noise
Periodic emissions from generator testing or operation
Increased heat output in the local micro climate

There is growing community concern and research indicating that prolonged exposure to low-frequency noise and industrial-scale infrastructure can negatively impact sleep quality, stress levels, and overall well being, particularly for children.

Given the proximity, I am concerned that the long-term cumulative effects on residential amenity and family well being have not been adequately addressed.

2. Impact on Blackman Park and Community Recreational Spaces

The proposed development is located extremely close to Blackman Park, as well as nearby recreational facilities including the local skate park, which are heavily used by children and families.

Blackman Park is not only a local park but a significant community asset that attracts people from across Sydney for:

Junior and senior football and rugby matches
Running and outdoor recreation
Family gatherings and children’s activities

The park also supports local biodiversity, including birdlife and other urban wildlife.

The introduction of a large-scale 24/7 industrial facility in such close proximity raises serious concerns regarding:

Noise intrusion into open recreational spaces
Visual and environmental degradation
Potential disturbance to local wildlife habitats

This is inconsistent with preserving the quality and usability of one of the area's most important green spaces.

3. Impact on Property Values and Local Residents

The surrounding area consists of family homes, many of which are owned by households who have made significant financial commitments to live in this community.

A development of this scale and nature, particularly so close to residential properties, may have a negative impact on:

Property values
Buyer perception of the area
Long-term desirability for families

Residents in this area contribute significantly through property taxes, local spending, and community participation. It is reasonable to expect that their concerns be given substantial weight in planning decisions that directly affect their living environment.

4. 24/7 Operation and Noise Impacts

Unlike many commercial developments, data centres operate continuously.

This raises particular concern regarding:

Night-time low-frequency noise from cooling systems
Intermittent but potentially disruptive generator testing
Background industrial hum affecting quiet residential conditions

Noise impacts during night-time hours are especially critical, as they affect sleep quality and overall health. Additionally, such noise may also impact nearby open spaces and ecological systems.

5. Cumulative and Long-Term Planning Considerations

This project represents a significant intensification of industrial use in close proximity to residential and recreational zones.

I am concerned that:

The cumulative impact of multiple data centers in the area has not been fully assessed
The long-term planning vision for balancing industrial growth with livability is unclear
Insufficient buffer zones exist between heavy infrastructure and residential communities

I strongly object to this development for 3 main reasons:
1. Poor public consultation and surveying
2. Environmental impacts
3. An extremely high concentration of data centres in Western Sydney
I have provided extensive details on each of these reasons, with reference to the assessments and reports undertaken for this proposal in the document I have attached. I urge the government to take this into account when making its decision.

Submission – Mamre Road Data Centre Campus (SSD-92743706)
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) provides this submission in relation to the proposed Mamre Road Data Centre Campus. CSPD has a direct interest in this development due to the proximity of Emmaus Catholic College, Kemps Creek and Trinity Catholic Primary School, Kemps Creek, both of which serve established and growing school communities in the surrounding area.

CSPD acknowledges the strategic importance of data infrastructure in supporting economic growth and digital services, and recognises the broader planning context of Western Sydney as a significant employment and infrastructure corridor. This submission is therefore not one of objection in principle, but seeks to ensure that the development appropriately considers and mitigates impacts on nearby educational environments.

CSPD’s key areas of focus are:

1. Air Quality and Generator Testing Regime

The proposal includes a substantial number of diesel backup generators and associated fuel storage. While these systems are intended for emergency use, periodic testing and potential activation events may result in intermittent emissions. We request that:

The Environmental Impact Statement clearly demonstrates predicted air quality outcomes at Emmaus Catholic College and Trinity Catholic Primary School under both testing and emergency scenarios

Generator testing regimes are designed to avoid school hours and peak outdoor activity periods

Consideration is given to minimising reliance on diesel generation over time, including transition pathways to lower-emission backup systems

2. Noise Impacts on Learning Environments

Ongoing operations (including cooling infrastructure) and intermittent generator testing have the potential to affect acoustic conditions within nearby schools. We request that:

Noise modelling specifically identifies predicted levels at the boundaries and learning areas of Emmaus Catholic College and Trinity Catholic Primary School

Operational noise limits are established to ensure compliance with relevant standards for educational settings

Tonal, low-frequency, and intermittent noise characteristics are appropriately assessed and mitigated

A clear framework for monitoring and responding to noise issues is implemented

3. Traffic and Construction Impacts

Given the scale of the development, construction activity and associated heavy vehicle movements expected over an extended period of time, we request that:

Construction traffic management plans explicitly consider school peak periods, including morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times

Heavy vehicle routes are designed to minimise interaction with access points to Emmaus Catholic College and Trinity Catholic Primary School

Clear and proactive communication protocols are established with both schools and CSPD Office prior to commencing and during major construction phases

4. Safety and Risk Management

The development includes significant fuel storage and battery infrastructure, which require a robust risk management strategy.
We request that:

Hazard and risk assessments clearly demonstrate appropriate separation distances from sensitive land uses, including Emmaus Catholic College and Trinity Catholic Primary School

Emergency response procedures are coordinated with local emergency services and communicated, where appropriate, to nearby schools

Ongoing operational safety measures are transparently documented and accessible

5. Ongoing Engagement

Given the long term nature of this development, structured engagement with nearby establishments is important.

We request that:

A formal stakeholder engagement framework be established, including Emmaus Catholic College, Trinity Catholic Primary School and CSPD Office

A clear point of contact is nominated for operational matters following project completion

CSPD supports well planned infrastructure that integrates appropriately with surrounding communities. Subject to the matters outlined above being satisfactorily addressed, we consider that potential impacts on nearby schools can be appropriately managed. We would welcome ongoing engagement as the project progresses.

To whom it may concern,

I am a community member living in Sydney. I would like to express my opposition against this development. I work as a software engineer, and I understand that the rise in AI comes with a necessity to build more data centres. However it deeply worries me that the government has not adequately considered the social and environmental impacts to the local community. Many of my peers living in the Western Sydney region are concerned about the impact of data centres being built in their backyard (particularly the Mamre Road Data Centre Campus). As young people, we have heavily felt the effects of the cost of living crisis and the housing crisis in the last few years, and it concerns us that close proximity to a data centre will raise energy bills in an already challenging economic climate. The area of Western Sydney is already vulnerable to blackouts during extreme heat related weather events. The energy and water needs of such facilities are astronomical, and it is worrying that private for profit companies are allowed to draw energy and water away from public use. Growing up in Australia, it is no secret knowing that our country and our water supply is vulnerable to drought prone weather. It feels hypocritical to think that residents and farmers are asked to conserve water, when the cooling of data centre facilities is an incredibly water intensive process. At least 89 existing data centres in Sydney draw from the public drinking supply, and the cooling demands of the larger data centres to be built are only going to increase.

I implore that this project require strict regulation to ensure that the local community is adequately consulted and protected from the impact of data centre development. In particular, I ask that:
1. The use of drinking water for cooling data centre facilities is banned, and that developers must demonstrate recycled water usage and stormwater harvesting facilities on site
2. Data centre developers commit to use of 100% renewable energy, in particular by self-funding construction of renewable energy farms(solar and/or wind), co-located with the data centre site where possible. Importantly no data centre should be drawing from the public grid.
3. Strict regulation is adopted to ensure that noise pollution from data centre operations, as well as air pollution due to diesel back up generators on site, is limited and that limits are enforced.

Thank you for your time, and please understand how your decisions will impact our future.

I am deeply concerned with this project's power draw against the community. As an ex-member of Penrith with parents living there, I am worried about the effects on them. Please, make sure to consult us before moving forward with this project.

What about the vibration on the local community? What about the water draw against the local community? Would it raise rates against the locals? Would the infrastructure affect our local electric grid? Would this cause potentially more blackout? Would it benefit the local with jobs or will we just draw from interstate workers?

Dear Sir/Madame
I am writing this letter as a concerned resident not really knowing what impacts this development will have on myself and Family.
I am slowly being surrounded by industry on all sides,so far being impacted by, Noise, Dust, Road Access,ETC typical hazards of industrial development,also air traffic to and from W.S.A.soon to open.
My concern is the further impacts i may suffer due to the construction of Data Centre (SSD-92743706) which will require massive power consumption as well as, on site substations, storage of lithium-ion batteries, diesel generators 24/7
(1) will I suffer frequent power outages or fluctuations
(2) what will be the Noise output 24/7
(3) will there be excess electro magnetic frequencies-waves etc which may affect health
(4) any negative impacts to health and everyday living.
To Summerise:
I am soon to be the only living resident in the vicinity of the Mamre road Data Centre Campus, not through choice, it worries me greatly the negative impact this construction may have on my health and every day life.
Thank you
Ted Pochodyla