Project Mars Data Centre

- The planned data centre is very close to homes (~50m), a school (~160m) and Blackman Park.
-The building is 28.3m high vs 18m allowed (57% over limit)
-Construction noise is predicted to increase
-Operational noise is based on draft (not final) equipment, so real impacts are uncertain
-The project includes 49 diesel generators
-In the power outagee, all generators may run at once , the EIS says this could cause air quality exceedances,
-Cumulative impacts with other data centres are not properly assessed. There are 2 other data centres in the area.
-Around 90 trees will be removed, reducing the natural buffer
-The site has contamination /asbestos issues, requiring remediation and long term managemnet.
- Infrastructure (power /water) is not fully confirmed yet. So major power and water upgrade within the area are needed. No agreement with Sydney water or Ausgrid yet.
- Very limited long term jobs (approx 26-45 roles)n vs. major local impacts

I definitely oppose this project as my residence is just next to the proposed site. I am a retiree and will be at home 24/7 and the noise level, health hazard, increased traffic and expected power outages will stress me out. In addition, the large diesel storage tank that is integral to a data centre is extremely dangerous for everyone living in close proximity to the site should there be an accident, and the increased water requirement is a major issue as I understand our local area is already suffering from a water supply problem. There is also a primary school in the vicinity of the site and my numerous reasons stated will also apply to the school, if not more so. I am, in principal, not opposed to data centres per se but a data centre should not be built next to a residential area. I am sure the proposers can find a more appropriate area to build their data centre.

I am concerned about the noise (during night time as well as during periods where back up generators are used due to power outages). The project is near to an existing and a proposed data centre. The building will be close to residential areas and a local public school. In other countries, there is a larger space required between these data centres and residential areas, and also between noisy back up generators and residential areas. The noise pollution, and strain on drinking water resources, is not appropriate for an inner-city residential area which prides itself on caring for and maintaining it's green areas, and its passionate residents. Recently there were requests for communities to use less water, data centres place an enormous strain on water supply, and electricity for their usage. It is incredibly disappointing that there is already an existing data centre close to our community (and school), AND an approved data centre. We do not need three to be located within a limited area. The impact of noise pollution, and demands for water and electricity, is increased with each data centre. I request NSW Government to consider the people and vegetation, and natural resources, of our beautiful Lane Cove and reject the third (!) data centre in this quiet community focused residential area. The future focussed decision, considering natural resources and humans and community, would ensure these types of buildings are built well away from existing (and proposed) residential areas. Naturally this would incur additional costs for the building, however the cost to community, vegetation, and natural resources should be the ultimate consideration for NSW Government, serving the people.

I am a 71 year old retiree and my residence is less than 100 metres from the proposed data centre. The noise pollution eg humming sound will affect sleep as I am a very light sleeper and the lack of sleep can cause anxiety and cardio risks given my age. The noise pollution will also affect the abundant wildlife in Blackman Park which is adjacent to the proposed data centre. Similarly the air pollution as and when the diesel backup generator is used can affect my husband and son who are asthmatic. The wildlife will naturally be affected too. I am also worried as huge amounts of electricity and water are required and this will strain our local resources. Currently we have more power outages than other parts of lane cove. I would strongly suggest the data centre being built further away from residential area and not forgetting there is a primary school just 160 metres from the proposed data centre and the young generation will have to endure the same challenges.

The Project Mars proposed for Lane Cove West business park is not welcome in Lane Cove West by residents such as myself. Within the business park there already exists data centres. This proposed centre is right next to a school and many homes, as well as the National park and with its diesel generators, demand on water and electricity and removal of trees it has no benefits to the community whatsoever. I cannot believe the submission has been allowed to progress this far based alone on its proximity to a school and homes, let alone a national park and huge number of local residents. Only 26 local jobs will come from this environmental catastrophe where we will all be impacted by its noise, pollution and drain on our resources and the possibility of more environmental damage. The noise, environmental and resource impact will have substantial and long term effects on the community that are immediately next to this and all throughout the surrounding area where I live. I am concerned about the health of myself and my children, and our neighbours and fellow Lane Cove residents. Other councils and locations can house new data centres, our area has done enough. Given what we now know about the resource drain and pollution, they should only be built where there is room for the data centre to generate its own renewable energy and recycle the water required. Lane Cove is already increasing in residents at a large rate, which will draw on our water and energy resources further. As a rate payer, I do not want to pay for upgrades to energy infrastructure because data centres have taken our resources. Given the land is close to a main road and has a school next door, it would make more sense and be of benefit to the community to be rezoned to house more residents, which is a government priority. There is no need to have data centres in densely populated urban areas. It puts residents and communities at risk and in this case small children at school all day and the National Park nearby. Lane Cove West residents have already taken on enough risk with the existing data centres. Please do not allow Project Mars data centre to be approved and built.

I would like everything to be kept as it is, without affecting the flora or fauna or the tranquility of the suburb.

I strongly object. The negative impact to the enviroment will be terrible. The water and electricity that these places use is astronomical. Build them away from residential areas.

The proposed data centre at 12 Mars Road in Lane Cove West has raised significant concerns among residents and local authorities due to its potential negative impacts on the community and environment. One major issue is the extremely high demand for electricity and water, which could place pressure on local infrastructure and even contribute to power outages and water shortages in the area.  In addition, data centres generate constant noise from cooling systems and backup generators, which can disturb nearby homes, schools, and wildlife.  The development may also increase traffic, construction disruption, and pollution, while producing excess heat that contributes to urban heat effects.  Many people are also concerned that the site could have been used for housing instead, meaning the project could limit opportunities to address housing shortages in well-located areas. Overall, these factors suggest that building a data centre at this location could reduce the quality of life for residents and harm the surrounding environment.

Please do not listen to the uninformed NIMBYS. If you can't build a data centre in an industrial park, where hell can you build one. Build baby build.

There is likely a significant impact in multiple ways in our home environment that have never been presented to us. The water and heat and size of the project is unreasonable in a local area filled with young children and families. This group have bypassed community consultation due to the loophole in it being in a business park despite it being a hundred or slightly more metres from homes and the local school. If there is a fire in this area due to heat and batteries etc you will put many families at risk given the proximity and will be liable for all of these lives. I am disgusted I have only just found out what this project is after one full year of workers taking up our front lawn right in front of our house to access water pipes for another data centre. If this is true I am so disgusted. I thought that this was to serve the community’s access to water not to service a private company. Consider children and families please

I object to this project.

The construction and ongoing operation of the new Project Mars Data centre has raised some concerns which I would like to detail in my submission. For my regular morning commute, my bus travels along this route so I hope that it does not disrupt or cause permanent traffic buildup when the data centre is functional. I do appreciate that the generators are the west side of the data centre (blocked visualy for the residential areas to the east) but would like to emphasize the importance of covering and proper management of the generators if activated, mainly for any inadvertent noise or air pollution. Similarly to this, the presence of the generator diesel fuel tanks does alarm me and would also prefer correct safety management and mitigation in the event of this large fuel source being compromised. As with data centre usage, the accelerated usage of it with more AI capacity would possibly cause unplanned noise from the cooling systems and the HVAC systems. I am worried about this for the close residents in the rest of Banksia Close and also of the nearby Lane Cove West Public School.

This project must be stopped or downsized significantly due to its proximity to bushland, popular sporting facilities, housing and a school. The impact to all these important parts of our community is obvious. These include impacts to amenity, noise and in the long run health of the community. These include increased costs to health services as good accessible to nature, education and sporting facilities have benefits for health

I would like to object to Project Mars SSD-82052708, due to the impact on the local community and close proximity to Lane Cove West School, and surrounding bushland and public parks, totally unacceptable.

I object to the proposed Project Mars Data Centre due to serious concerns about its environmental and health impacts, particularly given its close proximity to residential areas and nearby schools.
My children attend a local school only a short distance from the proposed site. The plan to install and operate a large number of diesel generators raises significant concerns regarding air pollution, including emissions of nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. These pollutants are known to exacerbate respiratory conditions, particularly in children, whose developing lungs are more vulnerable to long‑term harm.
In addition, the scale and 24‑hour operation of this facility introduce risks relating to noise pollution, cumulative environmental impacts, and increased industrialisation of an area that directly borders homes, parklands, and a primary school. I am also concerned about the project’s high water consumption and reliance on fossil‑fuel‑based backup power in the context of climate change and local environmental sustainability.
While I recognise the importance of digital infrastructure, this proposal places a disproportionate environmental burden on the local community. The location and scale of this development are not appropriate for such a sensitive urban setting. I urge the Department to refuse the application or require substantial redesign and stronger protections for nearby residents and children.

The tranquillity, safety, and wellbeing of our community are at risk with the proposed construction of a large‑scale data centre at 12 Mars Road, Lane Cove West — in close proximity to homes, Lane Cove West Public School, and Blackman Park. While data centres are important pieces of digital infrastructure, this proposal raises significant planning, environmental, and community‑impact concerns that require careful and transparent assessment.

Data centres operate 24/7 and typically involve substantial energy and water use, heat output, mechanical plant, and diesel backup systems. These elements can affect surrounding residential and educational environments through noise, traffic, visual bulk, and air quality impacts. The suitability of this location — adjacent to a primary school and key community spaces — warrants thorough scrutiny.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed Project Mars Data Centre located at 12 Mars Road, Lane Cove.

My primary concern is the significant noise impact this development will have on nearby residents. My home is located approximately 30 metres from the proposed site, and the scale and duration of the construction works raise serious concerns about the livability of our home environment.

The project is expected to involve prolonged construction activities over several years, with permitted working hours from Monday to Saturday, 7:30am to 5:00pm. This level of sustained noise over such an extended period is unreasonable and will have a severe impact on daily life. I have young children at home, and I also work from home regularly. Continuous construction noise during these hours will make it extremely difficult—if not impossible—for us to maintain a normal living and working environment.

In addition, there are ongoing concerns regarding operational noise once the data centre is completed. Data centres typically operate 24/7 with cooling systems and mechanical equipment that generate constant background noise. Given the extremely close proximity to residential properties, this is highly concerning.

I am also concerned about the impact on the surrounding community and environment, particularly due to the site’s proximity to Blackman Park. This park is a vital recreational space for local families and children, including a popular skate park frequently used by young people. The introduction of a large-scale industrial facility so close to this area risks negatively affecting the natural environment, local amenity, and the overall experience of the park.

The proposed development is not compatible with the surrounding residential and recreational environment. The cumulative impacts of construction noise, operational noise, and environmental disruption are significant and should not be overlooked.

For these reasons, I strongly urge the Department to reject this proposal or, at the very least, require substantial modifications to mitigate its impacts on the local community.

Thank you for considering my submission.

I you retarded albanese your dumbass decided to ban social media and now build a damn ai data centre in Blackman park? Your dumbass could BARELY even keep this country alive and now cause noise pollution, the exceedingly amount of dust near our homes and cutting down trees. Plus our Blackman park where many people enjoy there days on isn’t going to be enjoyable as before because of the insane amount of pollution it’s going to have, just think about it you and your family wants to go on a nice trip to the park and all you guys see is a big ugly ass building standing in front of you like who would want that. This includes the fact that you would use more water daily which causes the Sydney plumbing dudes to come over and make even more noise as if it’s not enough to see there lazyasses sitting in the sun holding a red sign talking into the radio “clear” “clear”. As to conclude this don’t build this stupid data centre it’s gonna get breached one day anyways.

I am concerned that this data centre is too close to a primary school and residential housing. It will be industrial and there are other more appropriate sites for this.

I am concerned about the heat, pollution and unsustainably of this development.

This project does not appear to do anything to innovate or actively promote sustainability. It complies to the minimum standard by the latest possible date. That is very different to actively innovating and promoting sustainability.
The use of diesel generators, instead of batteries or other alternative, zero emission sources of back up power is one example of this failure. Relying on third party suppliers to make bio diesel available is another.
The same goes for tree removal and planting. The project merely complies with minimum environmental standards and does nothing to improve the vegetation as a result of the proposed tree removal (and subsequent loss of CO2 production).
There are lots of ways a project of this scope could lead the way and innovate, to solve the sustainability issues facing construction today.
This should be required by government, instead of accepting compliance with minimum standards and dates two decades into the future.