Project Mars Data Centre

I formally object to this proposal due to its inappropriate scale and proximity to sensitive residential and educational areas. My primary concerns are:
• Excessive Scale: The 28.3m height is a 57% exceedance of standards, creating unacceptable visual bulk next to Blackman Park and local homes.
• Safety Risks: Storing 1M liters of diesel and 194,000kg of lithium batteries within 50m of residents and 160m of a school poses significant fire and environmental hazards.
• Noise & Pollution: The 24/7 operation of cooling systems and 49 diesel generators will create chronic noise and air pollution, destroying the amenity of the neighboring park and school.
• Ecological Damage: The removal of 90 trees and 3 years of construction vibration will permanently damage local biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
• Infrastructure Strain: The massive water and power requirements are inconsistent with the site’s current industrial-residential buffer role.
The negative impacts on community health, safety, and local character far outweigh the benefits of this location. I urge the Department to refuse this application.

I would like to formally object to the construction of such a significant industrial building in the middle of a major residential area and within a park which has heavy use by children and families for recreation. Blackman park has already had significant work and renovations done over the last decade and this proposed new work will increase issues for access for residents and visitors alike.

I Object

I am writing to formally object to the proposed data centre development at 12 Mars Road (SSD-82052708).

As a local resident in the Lane Cove area, I am concerned about the direct and ongoing impacts this development will have on my family’s quality of life and the character of our neighbourhood.

Firstly, I am concerned about noise. Data centres operate 24/7 and rely on large-scale cooling infrastructure and backup generators. The potential for continuous low-frequency noise — particularly overnight — is a significant concern. This type of persistent background noise can disrupt sleep and has a cumulative impact on wellbeing over time.

Secondly, the scale and industrial nature of the proposed facility appear out of step with the surrounding residential environment. A development of this size risks permanently altering the character of the area, reducing its liveability and undermining the sense of community that currently exists.

I am also concerned about increased traffic and servicing activity associated with the site. Construction impacts, followed by ongoing maintenance and operational traffic, will place additional pressure on local roads that are already used heavily by residents, including families with young children.

Further, I have concerns regarding energy usage and broader environmental impact. Data centres are highly energy-intensive, and it is not clear how this proposal aligns with local and state sustainability goals or what measures will be taken to mitigate emissions, heat output, and resource consumption.

Importantly, the role and form of data centres are rapidly evolving. Given the pace of technological change, there is a real risk that facilities of this nature become outdated or poorly aligned with future infrastructure needs. Approving large-scale, long-life assets in sensitive locations without a clear long-term strategic framework raises questions about their legacy and whether this is the right use of land in the medium to long term.

While I recognise the importance of digital infrastructure, this proposal does not appear appropriately balanced against the impacts on the local community.

Quite simply, a small business park on the fringe of a nature reserve, a high-traffic sporting ground, a primary school and established residential areas is not an appropriate location for a data centre hub. The current approach risks appearing as a short-term response to capitalise on the data centre boom, rather than a carefully planned, long-term piece of infrastructure.

I respectfully request that these concerns be given serious consideration in the assessment process.

Yours sincerely,


Greg Kearney

The project seems completely out of character with the existing businesses adjacent to the site and the residential developments close by. One has to ask why we need such a data centre in our neighbourhood, and what benefits it may bring to our community?
We already have two data centres nearby in Macquarie Park, consuming huge amounts of electricity and water as well as copious amounts of diesel.
The proposed building is non-conforming in terms of its height and the proposal to take out 90 trees will make the visual spectacle even more shocking as well as affecting the wildlife. Such a project looks rather benign when the building is installed, but impact of installing all the infrastructure to supply water, energy, excavation for such immense structures and fuel storage must wreak such a huge amount of damage upon the land beneath and around it, that this cannot be ignored.
The ongoing impact of running generators in terms of noise and emissions will cause unavoidable impact on residents and athletes alike, which will be irreversible and be incapable of being mitigated against. The beneficiaries will likely be the usual social media businesses who do not act in the interest of the community already and do not deserve to increase their impact on our wellbeing.
Please do not approve this project.

Application No: SSD-82052708
Location: 12 Mars Road, Lane Cove West (Lot 22 DP 732062)

Description of proposal:
Construction and 24/7 operation of a data centre with a power consumption of up to 81 megawatts, comprising three buildings with a maximum height of 28.3 metres, ancillary office space, lithium-ion batteries, back-up generators, diesel storage, an on-site substation, carparking and landscaping.

I strongly object to the above proposed development. While I do not live in the direct vicinity of the proposed site, I am a resident of Lane Cove and have a son who attends Lane Cove West Public School. I have many concerns in relation to this development proposal.

From a high-level perspective:

1. I note that an Upper House inquiry has been established to inquire into and report on data centres in NSW. The Public Accountability and Works committee will scrutinise whether NSW is adequately equipped for the scale and pace of data centre development occurring now and into the future - noting that "Data centres over the last few years have expanded significantly, bringing with them an increased demand for energy and water, as well as concern about their environmental, social and economic impacts."

2. Given the above, it appears prudent to pause decisions on controversial data centre proposals that are clearly causing wide-ranging concerns from residents, schools, the Council, and the local community more generally - this proposal is the perfect example of this.

3. As technology, and the needs of technology, advance at far quicker rates than the regulations can keep up with, it is more important than ever for there to be sufficient minimum standards put in place, such as minimum distances from homes and schools. The regulations must also have the power to control and enforce these standards, and ensure that adequate and realistic considerations of the immediate and long-term impacts of such proposals can be given. Most importantly, these standards need to be set looking at the wider context, not just one proposed data centre development in isolation, to ensure sufficient safeguards are in place to protect the needs and rights of the surrounding community.

Looking more closely from a ground-level view:

In the case of this particular development, it is proposed in a relatively small area where other data centres already exist and more are also planned. The cumulative effects on vital matters need to be considered, such as:
- stability and reliability of energy systems
- extensive use of water resources
- various negative impacts to local communities, including residents, schools, native bushland, traffic, and public spaces and facilities

Any decision that is based on a consideration of the proposed development in isolation would be fundamentally flawed, create unreasonable risks both in the short and long term, and lead to detrimental outcomes to the vital matters listed above. It would also set a substandard precedent.

Looking at energy specifically, the Lane Cove area already suffers from unreasonably frequent blackouts. Additional strain on energy systems would only worsen this. It seems common sense that systems be strong, stable, and upgraded if required, prior to mass large-scale developments which consume far more energy than what it currently on the site.

In relation to water usage, there are clearly concerns from various angles. The most obvious are the environment and sustainability - both important issues. But specifically for this area, it is important to note that there have been major ongoing works in Lane Cove West residential areas for at least a year and a half now. The purpose being water infrastructure upgrades to increase water supply for the new AirTrunk Data Centres located in (and more proposed for) Lane Cove West business park. Not only have these ongoing works created significant disruption to local residents, it has and continues to affect the community more broadly given the streets surround Lane Cove West Public School. This has created many issues from traffic flow and parking, to compromising the safety of children walking to and from school through a construction zone competing with busy drop-off and pick-up traffic. This is another reason which highlights the importance of assessing cumulative impacts - if these water supply upgrades have been planned to support the 2 or 3 AirTrunk Data Centres, have the plans also incorporated the increased use by 2 further data centre developments? Or will we just be on repeat and forced to live through these disruptions and safety concerns in our residential streets for years to come?

The various negative impacts to local community are extensive. Looking at the location of this specific proposed site, there will be issues for:

1. Residents - there are numerous houses adjacent to and in close proximity of this site. Families who live in the surrounding area will be unreasonably expected to live with constant operational noise (24/7 humming plus regular testing of generators etc.), increased air pollution and overbearing visual impacts due to the excessive height - not to mention the noise, dust and traffic disruptions during the 3 year construction period.

2. Lane Cove West Public School - the primary school is located 160m from this site. So the noise and air pollution noted above is of particular concern given the potential repercussions it will have on the students' wellbeing. Children are a sensitive and vulnerable population and school should be a safe place providing an environment conducive to learning. The 3 years of construction represents half of a child's primary school life, and then the noise and air pollution still continues indefinitely. This is a time where our children are being shaped and building their foundation for life. Allowing this crucial time in hundreds of children's lives to be disrupted so significantly would be heartless and an abdication of the government's responsibilities. The impacts to the school would also affect its appeal and would be detrimental to it's future growth and development, affecting not just the children but the staff and the school system.

3. Native bushland, wildlife and the Council's Community Nursery - the proposed development is located directly adjacent to bushland and the Council nursery. Significant removal of trees is clearly a concern. But more importantly, the long-term impacts to the surrounding native bushland and wildlife needs to be properly assessed. While development is essential for progress, this needs to be balanced with environmental responsibilities, particularly when it comes to native flora and fauna. Additionally, the negative impacts to the viability and productivity of the Council nursery would likely prevent the Council (and its staff and community volunteers) from meeting their environmental and sustainability commitments, which would be devastating to the local ecosystems.

4. Traffic - while the ongoing operation of the facility requires only minimal people to be employed (which is an issue in of itself), the years of construction will cause traffic issues in what should be a quiet residential area that already gets busy in the mornings and afternoons with hundreds of families in the area at school drop off and pick up times. The ongoing works for the water upgrades needed for the existing data centre is proof that additional burden and disruption on these small streets puts our children's safety at risk.

5. Public spaces and facilities - the proposed development site is also adjacent to Blackman Park which is home to multiple sporting fields, a skate park, the tennis club, playgrounds and a dog park. These spaces and facilities are used by many people, whether it be families playing, adult or children's sports (both locals and visitors through competitive sports), people using the space for functions, picnics, exercise, socialising with their dog, or enjoying a peaceful walk around the park and in the surrounding bushland which is connected by multiple walking paths. Public recreational and sporting spaces with such extensive use should not be subjected to the noise, dust and air pollution that will come with this development.

While this is not an exhaustive list of all the concerns relating to this proposed development, I hope it demonstrates how clearly inappropriate this site is for a large scale data centre. Should it be confirmed that approving additional data centres to be built in Lane Cove West business park will not cause undue strain on energy, water and native bushland, then by all means I support this. Data centres are an important form of digital infrastructure in the modern world. I simply request that they be located on suitable sites, further away from homes, schools and public recreational and sporting facilities, and in areas that are appropriately resourced to support all of their operating requirements.

This particular site is right on the border of Lane Cove West business park and is a direct neighbour to the residential zone. I implore the decision makers to recognise and give appropriate weight to the fact that this site is too close to homes, too close to the school, too close to the recreational and sporting facilities, and is too close to sensitive native bushland and vital sustainability activities including native bush regeneration. I have attached a photo from the pedestrian crossing at Avalon Avenue which is the access point to the school's main gate - standing on this crossing, you can see the current building just there behind the trees.

This proposal should serve as a prime example of why a proper regulatory framework is required for these types of developments, incorporating clear restrictions on locations, and limitations on the number permitted to be built in the one area to avoid clusters and overbearing cumulative impacts.

Thank you for your consideration.

I have major concerns with the development proposed for 12 Mars Road and reject the proposal. This development will significantly affect my residential amenity and ability to live and sleep comfortably in my home.
The location of the development is in a zoned industrial area. However, the operational impacts of this development will not be limited to the industrial area. 24/7 noise and impacts will be imposed on the adjacent residential area and public spaces. Other locations within the industrial area would be more appropriate.

In particular
1. Noise.
The 24/7 operating noise will interrupt sleep for occupants of my home.
My home is around 50 metres from the proposed development.
The main bedroom faces the property and is in a direct line with the noise.
We have had issues in the past with noise from Immij Printing - operating from 12 Mars Road directly behind our property – which were raised with local council who helped support resolution. We’ve experienced how difficult it is to live and sleep with constant, even ‘low-grade’ noise.
2. Height.
The new development is significantly higher than the existing buildings. The building lies to the West of our property, which will provide more shadow making it dark and uninviting in our living area and backyard from the early afternoon.
3. Removal of Trees.
Mature trees proposed to be removed between our property, and the new development will result in this development being much more imposing than the existing. Tree removal will also further limit any potential noise and emission buffers.
4. Water and Power requirements.
This development requires significant water and power to operate. There is no solution provided for the significant water requirements for this development in this application, and hence the impact of this is unknown for residents and businesses in the local area. Our residential streets have recently undergone around 18 months of roadwork disruption to upgrade water supply for existing/approved new developments in the same industrial area. It's likely there’ll be at least more roadwork disruption and possible future water and power supply issues.

I Object

I am writing to formally object to the proposed data centre development at 12 Mars Road (SSD-82052708).

As a local resident in the Lane Cove area, I am concerned about the direct and ongoing impacts this development will have on my family’s quality of life and the character of our neighbourhood.

Firstly, I am concerned about noise. Data centres operate 24/7 and rely on large-scale cooling infrastructure and backup generators. The potential for continuous low-frequency noise — particularly overnight — is a significant concern. This type of persistent background noise can disrupt sleep and has a cumulative impact on wellbeing over time.

Secondly, the scale and industrial nature of the proposed facility appear out of step with the surrounding residential environment. A development of this size risks permanently altering the character of the area, reducing its liveability and undermining the sense of community that currently exists.

I am also concerned about increased traffic and servicing activity associated with the site. Construction impacts, followed by ongoing maintenance and operational traffic, will place additional pressure on local roads that are already used heavily by residents, including families with young children.

Further, I have concerns regarding energy usage and broader environmental impact. Data centres are highly energy-intensive, and it is not clear how this proposal aligns with local and state sustainability goals or what measures will be taken to mitigate emissions, heat output, and resource consumption.

Importantly, the role and form of data centres are rapidly evolving. Given the pace of technological change, there is a real risk that facilities of this nature become outdated or poorly aligned with future infrastructure needs. Approving large-scale, long-life assets in sensitive locations without a clear long-term strategic framework raises questions about their legacy and whether this is the right use of land in the medium to long term.

While I recognise the importance of digital infrastructure, this proposal does not appear appropriately balanced against the impacts on the local community.

Quite simply, a small business park on the fringe of a nature reserve, a high-traffic sporting ground, a primary school and established residential areas is not an appropriate location for a data centre hub. The current approach risks appearing as a short-term response to capitalise on the data centre boom, rather than a carefully planned, long-term piece of infrastructure.

I respectfully request that these concerns be given serious consideration in the assessment process.

Yours sincerely,
Su-yen Caroline Kearney

I am extremely concerned that the government is considering approving another data centre in the Lower North Shore Sydney region. Data centres have been proven to be nothing but severe health and resource liabilities to the surrounding communities. Why would we locate this in a densely populated area, remove trees, and allow runoff into our beautiful parks and nature reserves? The light and sound pollution would be extremely disruptive, and it would do untold damage to our wildlife. In the United States, where data centres have rapidly been built, more and more communities are banning them after seeing the drive up in resource cost, the strain on their facilities, and the health issues for human and animal residents alike. Why would we choose to poison ourselves in this way? I implore the community officials to do right by those they serve and say no to this proposal. Thank you.

I object to this proposal for the following reasons -
1. Proposed building well exceeds current regulations, third data centre proposal for this same area is excessive
2. Less than 50m from homes and 160m from a primary school - as yet unknown impact of these data centres on their surrounding environment and humans.
3. 49 diesel generators, over 1m litres of diesel and 194,000kg of lithium batteries stored onsite
4. Three years of construction 6 days a week - noise and pollution from excavation and demolition, risks involved with asbestos removal
5. Removal of 90 trees, proximity to Lane Cove River and National Park - impact on natural environment and wildlife
6. Further water infrastructure upgrades for its huge daily water use, meaning more disruption to residents during upgrades and impact on local water supply
7. Once complete will be 24/7 operation creating noise and pollution .

I am writing to object to the proposed Project Mars Data Centre at 12 Mars Road, Lane Cove West (SSD-82052708). I am a local resident.
I understand that data centres are required now in Australia, due to AI and other requirements such as security. The location of these data centres is another matter. I submit that Lane Cove West is not the right location for the proposed data centre, and that the impacts have not been properly addressed. There are concerns here about environmental impact, safety, and the effect on the surrounding community.
One issue is the scale of energy use. The ESD report states the facility could use up to 710.05 GWh of electricity each year, with around 408,492 tonnes of C02 emissions in its first year, and about 4,850,594 tonnes over 50 years (Appendix P – ESD Report, pp. 12–14). The report assumes the grid will decarbonise over time and that generators may switch to biodiesel by 2050, but those are uncertain assumptions (it is noted on p.14 that they will run on biodiesel "once a reliable supply becomes available") and do not address the impact in the early decades in Lane Cove West.
Water use is another concern. The same report estimates about 510,000 cubic metres of water per year for cooling (Appendix P – ESD Report, p. 21). Even if the system is efficient, the overall demand is high and adds to pressure on resources.
The issue of heat also remains unclear. The Urban Heat Island advice notes that data centres reject more heat than typical buildings (Appendix TT – Urban Heat Island Advice, pp. 3–4), because of the "demands of large-scale cooling". There are mitigation measures proposed, but it is not clear what this will mean in future for nearby homes or for Blackman Park.
The reports say residential areas are about 200–250 metres away (Appendix P – ESD Report, p. 6), but from a local perspective the separation can be much smaller — in some places as little as around 16 metres boundary to boundary.
The Social Impact Assessment also raises concerns. Construction noise is assessed as a medium negative impact (Appendix JJ – Social Impact Assessment, p. 6), and cumulative risks include fuel storage, lithium-ion batteries, security issues, and heat (Appendix JJ – Social Impact Assessment, p. 7). The proposed data centre is a 24/7 facility with significant infrastructure on site, and related cumulative risks and hazards.
A broader concern is how much is deferred. Many of the responses rely on plans that will be prepared later. I do not think that is appropriate for a project of this scale. Key plans — particularly for noise, traffic and environmental management — should be developed and assessed before approval.
The traffic assessment appears incomplete. It concludes that operational traffic will be low, even lower than the existing site (Appendix O – Transport and Accessibility Impact Assessment, pp. 30–31), but this is based on modelling and does not address construction impacts or cumulative effects in detail. Construction will impact traffic in all surrounding roads in the area.
This pattern of deferred planning appears across the documents. The mitigation measures rely heavily on future management plans that "will be prepared prior to the commencement of construction" rather than commitments now (Appendix F – Mitigation Measures Table, pp. 1 and 5–6). This leaves one uncertain regarding the actual mitigation of the risks identified.
On visual impact, the conclusion of “low impact” depends heavily on existing vegetation providing screening (Appendix N – Visual Impact Assessment, p. 3). But the project involves tree and vegetation clearing (p.5) and changing the site. The same report identifies Blackman Park as a high-sensitivity location (Appendix N – Visual Impact Assessment, p. 33). This leads to the impact on local amenity to be understated.
The stormwater report has a conclusion of “neutral impact” (Appendix X – Integrated Water Management Plan, p. 2), but only with design measures of significant infrastructure such as on-site detention (OSD) of at least 631.8 m³ and multiple treatment systems (Appendix X – Integrated Water Management Plan, pp. 11–14). The impact is being managed through engineering, but is not being avoided.
Lastly, who benefits from this construction, and who carries the cost? The Social Impact Assessment suggests operational employment benefits are limited, while most impacts — noise, risk, environmental load — are incurred locally (Appendix JJ – Social Impact Assessment, pp. 5–6). The net costs appear far higher for local residents.
In summary, my concerns with the proposed data centre are:
* very high energy use and emissions, especially early on;
* significant water use;
* unclear heat impacts near homes and public spaces / parks;
* heavy reliance on plans to be developed 'later';
* safety and cumulative risks;
* limited local benefit compared to local impact.
For these reasons, I do not support the current proposal.

Th site is unsuitable due to generated noise that is carried:
1. Over water (the river)
2. Uphill to the residential areas of East Ryde
3. To the surrounding neighbourhood

In addition, storage of the notified amount of diesel amounts to an extraordinary danger to nearby residents and the natural habitat surrounding the Lane Cove river

And the air pollution? Really?

We need silence at Blackman Park. It is the main place in the area for contemplative walking through bushland and along the River. The white noise produced by the data centre would greatly disturb the peace of Blackman Park and irritate the birdlife. Whip birds may be heard at present but a noisy building project would scare them away.
Our water is a finite resource so let us preserve it. Data Centres belong elsewhere.

SUBMISSION SSD-82052708- PROJECT MARS DATA CENTRE, 12 MARS ROAD, LANE COVE, NSW 2066
By COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OF LANE COVE COUNCIL’s
BUSHLAND MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BMAC)
5 May 2066
BMAC is a Lane Cove Council Advisory Commi ee with the objec ve of assis ng Council in
the formula on and implementa on of bushland management strategies and ini a ves.
Within this objec ve BMAC provides this submission on SSD-82052708 (Lane Cove),
We have concerns about the impacts of this development and the cumula ve effect of the
enormous requirement of electricity and water, on noise impacts, on urban heat, on the
natural environment including bushland and wildlife, impacts on wellbeing on local
residents, on the local school, the Community Nursery, Blackman Park, all within the vicinity
of the Lane Cove West Industrial area.
The cumula ve effect of these impacts needs to be assessed and addressed.
Noise Impacts
Data Centres create significant noise pollu on for local communi es, primarily through 24/7
HVAC cooling systems and, the periodic tes ng of backup generators will . This low-
frequency, humming noise can exceed 60-90+ decibels, causing sleep disrup on, chronic
stress, anxiety, and poten al hearing loss for nearby residents. Clearly a concern for the
health and well-being for local residents, workers in the Community Nursery and within the
Mars Road Industrial area and the Primary School.
Unfortunately, the noise impacts have not yet been fully clarified in the EIS, and it was
indicated that these details be made available at a later me. This is totally unacceptable
and the informa on must be supplied before any final decision on this development can be
considered.
The EIS does not sufficiently address the health impacts of diesel par culate ma er i.e.
PM2.5.
Data centres are significant sources of nitrogen oxides (Nox) primarily emi ed through the
use of diesel-powered backup generators, which are essen al for maintaining high
availability and up me. These emissions contribute to localized air pollu on, posing health
risks to surrounding communi es and contribu ng to the overall environmental footprint of
the expanding AI infrastructure.
Water Use
The source for the water is Sydney Water, who supplies the water for all Sydney and the
es mated amount of water for this facility is an average of 1,405 kilolitres (1.4 million litres)
of water per day.
Concern is raised regarding is the amount of water this proposal needs, par cularly in
drought mes, when the popula on has to dras cally reduce their water consump on, but
the facility would s ll need this resource. Even Water tanks would not suffice considering
the amount of litres/day needed, because once used up, tanks cannot refill in drought
condi ons.
Page 1 of 5
Contact: [email protected]
Cumula ve High Demand on Electricity
As temperatures rise due to climate change, we will experience longer and more frequent
heatwaves, as well as an increase in average temperatures.” (NSW Planning Website.)
The demand for electricity in residen al areas during high weather temperatures, already
puts strain on the Electricity System and due to the high demand of Data Centres, could
result in devasta ng blackouts for communi es. The cumula ve effect needs to be
considered of the Data Centres already built, those proposed and the likelihood of further
applica ons within this close proximity.
So far:
- Sirius Road Data Centre – 120 MW (built) – AirTrunk
- Apollo Place Data Centre – 45 MW (Planning Approved but not built) – AirTrunk
- Mars Road Airtrunk – 140 MW (At ini al planning stage) – AirTrunk
- 12 Mars Road – 90 MW (Public Submission stage) – Goodman
- 16 – 20 Mars Road – No MW details (at ini al planning stage) – DC Alliance; and
- Microso Data Centre (an cipated) in nearby Mowbray Road ridge, adjacent to bushland
and residen al area
The normal requirement for an industrial development is 15 megawa s, ny in comparison
to these demands.
Cumula ve Urban Heat and Thermal Load
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) fails to adequately assess the cumula ve thermal
impact of opera ng four hyperscale data centres in such close proximity. The concentrated
release of waste heat from cooling towers will exacerbate the poten ally raising local
ambient temperatures by several degrees and impac ng the health of nearby residents and
the local school.
Loss of 90 Mature Trees
Losing so many trees in such an environmentally sensi ve area is extremely concerning.
Biodiversity Offsets will not assist to obviate the loss in this environmentally sensi ve area as
they serve as a natural buffer between industrial development and Blackman Park and their
loss will add a detrimental visual impact from the park.
This will also have an impact on biodiversity due to the site’s proximity to the Lane Cove
River corridor and will affect the local wildlife and the adjacent Community Nursery.
Trees act as Environmental Buffers and the proposed excava on and tree removal could
damage protected bushland and riparian zones.
The assessors of this development should consider the impact of tree loss together with the
combined environmental footprint of mul ple data centres in the Lane Cove West precinct.
Although the project ostensibly retains the trees on the eastern boundary adjacent to the
Nursery, we believe the project will result in the loss of these trees due to impact on roots
from deep excava on and construc on impacts above ground, for example, lopping of the
Page 2 of 5
trees to allow scaffolding and the strip on the eastern boundary becoming a construc on
zone.
Employment Opportuni es
The statement that this facility will offer significant employment opportuni es does not hold
true. That would only be a temporary measure during the construc on phase, a er which
the permanent staff is advised as only 26 employed.
We recall that the Department of Planning at the me the LEP was considered and approved
in 2009, prime concern was employment increase in the Lane Cove West Industrial area.
The concern here is that it would seem that Data Centres have low employment
opportuni es in the long term.
Comments in rela on to the Development Proposal and its impact on the
Community Nursery.
We formally object to the proposed 28.5-metre building height and current site
configura on at 12 Mars Road. As stakeholders concerned with the Lane Cove Community
Nursery and the adjacent bushland, we believe the proposal significantly impacts this cricommunity asset in the following ways:
cal
1. Unacceptable Building Height and Bulk
The proposed height of 28.5 metres is 10.5 metres (60%) above the 18-metre limit set by
the Lane Cove LEP 2009. This excessive height creates an overwhelming visual bulk that is
inconsistent with the "func onal and a rac ve" design objec ves of Part E of the Lane Cove
DCP. The building will dominate the Community Nursery, fundamentally changing its
character from a natural, open-space-adjacent facility to an enclosed industrial corridor.
2. Infringement on Required Environmental Setbacks
Under Part E and Part H of the Lane Cove DCP, buildings adjoining open space or bushland
must maintain a minimum 10-metre setback. Given the unprecedented height of 28.5
metres, a standard 10-metre setback is insufficient to mi gate the visual and environmental
"looming" effect.
We request that a significantly larger buffer be mandated to protect the Nursery’s
opera onal footprint.
3. Impact on Solar Access and Plant Propaga on
The Community Nursery relies on consistent solar access for the propaga on of locally
indigenous seedlings. A 28.5-metre structure on the southern/western boundary poses a
severe risk of overshadowing, par cularly during winter months. Any loss of sunlight will
directly impede the Nursery’s ability to provide tube stock for the Council’s bushcare
programs and 40% canopy target.
4. Risk to Riparian Health and Stringybark Creek
The site’s proximity to Stringybark Creek requires a 20-metre riparian setback. The proposed
deep excava on (up to 8 metres) for the data centre infrastructure risks disrup ng the water
table and causing sediment runoff into the creek. This threatens the fragile ecosystem that
the Nursery and local volunteers work to protect.
Page 3 of 5
5. Opera onal Hazards: Dust and Heat
Data centres generate significant heat and require constant cooling. We are concerned that
the discharge of hot air and dust generated during the construc on of such a large-scale
facility will create a microclimate detrimental to the sensi ve na ve species grown at the
Nursery.
Comments on the proposed Deep Excava ons of the Site
Our primary concern is the significant environmental and structural risk posed by the
proposed 8-metre-deep excava ons required for the basement data halls.
We raise objec ons on the following grounds:
 Environmental Risk to Riparian Zones: The site adjoins protected bushland and the Lane
Cove River corridor. Excava on at this depth threatens to disrupt groundwater levels and
natural drainage, poten ally causing irreversible damage to the nearby endangered
saltmarsh community.
 Impact on the Lane Cove Community Nursery: As the nursery is directly adjacent to the
site, the massive scale of excava on will subject na ve plant propaga on to intense
vibra on and construc on dust, as highlighted by the Lane Cove Council.
 Loss of Na ve Habitat: The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lacks a complete
assessment of how deep excava on will destroy local rock outcrops and crevices that
serve as cri cal habitat for local wildlife, such as the Large-eared Pied Bat.
 Construc on Disrup on: The three-year excava on and construc on period will cause
prolonged noise and vibra on impacts on nearby families and Lane Cove West Public
School, located only 50-100 metres away.
 Insufficient Mi ga on: Recent data centre developments in the area have demonstrated
that sediment controls are o en inadequate for excava ons of this scale, leading to
severe downstream environmental damage.
Government Inquiry into

Noise
Risks with asbestos removal
Close to homes Blacjman Park and schools
Noise and Pollution once operating
Loss of trees

This submission outlines key concerns with the proposed development, distinguishing between critical issues that may warrant refusal and typical impacts that would require stringent controls if approval is contemplated.

This is an terrible idea, as it is only 50 metres away from homes, disturbing everyday life.
There is also the small matter that it'll be operating 24 hours a day.

People and the school nearby would be interrupted from the constant notices.


90 trees would also be mowed down to make room for an highly dangerous place that might cause an fire and three years of construction, next to an school!

Wildlife would be scared away, Black man park would be no longer enjoyable as well!,
Pollution and noise!
People won't have sleep.
Do you want people causing more trouble, or just quit please.
We are sick of new places being built, it's okay if it's over abandoned, none nature places. But this? Thank you for listening and hopefully this madness would stop.

Absolutely object to this project.

This project will negatively affect the community and the environment in the area, not only because of the scale of the building itself, but also because of the operations that will be regularly happening there. I encourage those reviewing this project to look at the recent outcry in the UK with the PLP warehouses in Wigan that have had immense negative repercussions on the community and wildlife in the area for similar reasons (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgz1q2wv10o) (https://www.wigantoday.net/business/wigan-borough-residents-whose-homes-are-dwarfed-by-new-warehouses-are-now-haunted-by-night-time-noise-and-lights-from-them-5474735) (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r7lqjg4y4o). I worry that planning permissions for this project and other similar large-scale data centres near community centres are placing profits over the well-being of residents in the area. I am not opposed to the development of this space at all, but a development this close to low-density residential neighbourhoods, green spaces and schools should be earmarked for projects more cohesive with the environments and communities they are joining.

I wish to object to this data centre for many of the same reasons identified by Lane Cove Council including the proximity of this to schools, bushland, sporting fields, residential buildings and the insufficient planning in creating a cluster of other data centres.
As a longer term resident I am concerned about creating a cluster of data centres in this area - rich in bushland and community. In addition to noise, height etc. I am concerned about how this development impacts availability of water and electricity to residents, how a data centre will be eventually decommissioned or even extreme situations such as whether a cluster of data centres creates additional security concerns with our area becoming a strategic target.

This place should be protected for community. This project would have a major negative impact on the river, the air and would bring disruption to nature, people and environment