The proximity of this project, alongside cumulative data centre projects within such a small geographical area is deeply concerning. The size and scale of an industrial facility that runs 24hrs a day and is so close to the community and importantly a school and local park. There will be construction impacts over an extended period, noise and light pollution impacting native wildlife, traffic, native wildlife and vegetation loss, and infrastructure demand.

I have seen nothing but horrible things about data centres being near residential properties. I have strong concerns about water usage, noise pollution and traffic conditions. A data centre is also a fire risk and bright next to Blackman Park, Lane Cove National eing not only in Lane Cove (one of the greenest Northern Suburbs), it is Park and the community nursery. This absolutely should not be allowed to be developed in this location for residents and environmental impacts.

This is a horrible idea because people come to Blackman park because it is peaceful and dog friendly. While being built, Blackman park will be loud and disruptive. Not only that but there is school that is supposed to be where learning happens but many younger ones will get distracted by the noise! For people who live too far too walk to school, they have to rely on driving and if there is no where to park where can they drop their children off? Also, many species of wildlife live here and there is some likely to be endangered! I object to this project.

I am writing to lodge my strongest objection to the proposed "Project Mars" industrial data centre next to Blackman Park (SSD-82052708). This is an inappropriate location for a major industrial facility that will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, directly adjacent to a low-rise residential area and a local school.

My objection is based on the following critical grounds:


Inappropriate Scale and Height Blow-out: The proposed building height of 28.3 metres represents a 57% exceedance of local planning controls. This massive, 22,000 square metre industrial block is entirely out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood and will dominate the skyline above Blackman Park.


Severe Environmental and Safety Risks: The proposal includes the on-site storage of over 1 million litres of diesel and 194,000 kg of lithium batteries. Storing such vast quantities of hazardous and flammable materials less than 50 metres from homes and 160 metres from a school is a reckless disregard for community safety.


24/7 Noise and Air Pollution: Unlike residential buildings, this data centre will require 49 diesel generators and constant industrial cooling equipment. The resulting constant background noise and emissions will severely impact the health and sleep of local residents and the learning environment of the nearby school.


Loss of Green Space and Biodiversity: The project requires the removal of 90 trees and significant excavation. This loss of canopy, combined with the removal of asbestos and the vibration from a three-year construction period, will cause irreparable harm to local wildlife and the amenity of Blackman Park.


Infrastructure Strain: The "huge daily water use" and requirements for significant water infrastructure upgrades suggest that this facility will place an undue burden on local utilities that were never intended to support heavy industrial operations in a residential precinct.

Conclusion and Call for Review

I urge the Department of Planning to refuse this application. Approval would set a dangerous precedent for allowing major industrial facilities to be built in close proximity to sensitive recreational and residential spaces.

Furthermore, there must be a review of the state policies that allow such high-impact industrial projects to bypass local council oversight. The planning system should protect the health and safety of communities, not facilitate the placement of high-risk industrial plants in the heart of residential neighborhoods for corporate gain.

Previous submission did not include the details from the report "HDR Infrastructure Delivery, Management and Staging Plan (Appendix KK) ". This is a new submission based on this information.

Residents of Banksia Close have already borne the cost of 15 months of disruption from water infrastructure works for a neighbouring data centre. Sydney Water's own documents, included in this application, confirm that the existing network has limited capacity to serve this new development and that further works may be required. The application does not tell us what those works are, where they will occur, or what the impact on residents will be.

Residents of Banksia Close have already endured 15 months of disruption from water infrastructure works associated with a nearby data centre. We have a right to know whether this development will cause the same or greater impacts, and that information has not been provided in this application.

On these grounds, I formally object to the approval of Development Application SSD-82052708 in its current form.

I am writing to formally express my support for the proposed Project Mars Data Centre development in Lane Cove West. As a resident of Lane Cove, I believe this project represents a sophisticated use of industrial land that aligns with the future of the New South Wales economy while maintaining a respectful footprint on our local environment.
My support is based on the following key pillars:
1. Minimal Environmental Impact
Data centres are uniquely suited to the Lane Cove West industrial area because they are "good neighbors." Unlike traditional manufacturing or logistics hubs, this facility will generate:
Negligible Noise and Air Pollution: Modern data centres operate with sophisticated cooling systems and backup power solutions designed to meet strict environmental standards, ensuring no disruption to the surrounding community.
Low Traffic Intensity: Once operational, the facility requires a specialized but small on-site workforce, significantly reducing the heavy vehicle movements often associated with industrial sites.
Modern Sustainability Standards: Project Mars represents a "next-generation" build, utilizing high-efficiency Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratios and water-saving technologies that far exceed the performance of older industrial warehouses.
2. Strengthening the Digital Economy
In an era where digital infrastructure is as essential as roads and rail, this project secures Sydney’s position as a premier tech hub.
Infrastructure Resilience: By localizing data storage and processing power, Project Mars enhances the speed and reliability of digital services for businesses and residents across the state.
Sovereign Capability: Investing in local data centres ensures that NSW remains competitive in the global digital landscape, supporting everything from cloud computing to the expansion of AI technologies.
3. Workforce and Economic Benefits
The project offers a dual-phase boost to the local economy:
Construction Phase: The development will create hundreds of immediate jobs for tradespeople and contractors, providing a direct stimulus to the regional economy.
Long-term High-Value Employment: Once complete, the centre will require skilled engineers, cybersecurity experts, and operations managers. This fosters a specialized workforce within Lane Cove West, attracting high-income earners to the area.
4. Appropriate Site Selection
The choice of Lane Cove West is strategically sound. By situating the facility within an established industrial precinct, the project ensures:
Compatibility: The scale and function of the building are consistent with the existing character of the zone.
Buffer Zones: The site provides natural separation from residential areas, ensuring that the development can operate 24/7 without impacting the amenity of the Lane Cove community.
Conclusion
Project Mars is a forward-thinking development that balances economic ambition with environmental sensitivity. It replaces dated industrial utility with a clean, high-tech asset that will serve the NSW community for decades to come. I strongly urge the Department to approve this application.

We already have one huge data centre we can see from our apartment - construction noise is loud, the lights are so bright at night - we don't need to see another one. This area is becoming a rapidly growing cluster for data centres and it is too close to residential areas.
We have concerns about noise (during and after constuction), air quality, envornmental impact and infrastructure inadequacy/pressure (water especially). We don't want to see another data centre here driving the price of property down. It is also very close to LCWP School.
I object to this proposal.