Do not clear more of our bushland for a data centre, repurpose existing industrial land. The replacement trees are not enough.

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

This project has massive environmental impact it will strip away vital buffer zones for native Australian wildlife that need it to access the national park. Native land heritage cannot be replaced. Protect bushland and nature pathways and buffer zones they are vital to community mental health and the survival or engaged native Australian animals.

Submission for:

Julius Avenue Data Centre
SSD-80018208
6-8 Julius Avenue, North Ryde (lot 89 DP 1082131)

I write to object to the establishment of a data centre at Julius Avenue, North Ryde.

My objections are based on the size of scope of the work, the impact on the ecosystem, and the
location.

I feel the building footprint is excessive. It should be possible to re-design the building layout to avoid having to encroach on the remnant bushland at the south and south east of the site, and use the proposed road as part of the asset protection zone. The substation should be located away from the bushland side of the site.

It will take a long time to build as well, and during this time the builders will be allowed to work outside normal hours, increasing noise emissions from the site.

The proposed site has been vacant for approx. 20 years and now appears to have reverted to swamp land and marshes. I visited the site recently and could hear frogs and see many birds on the site.

The site is located adjacent to bushland on the shore of the Lane Cove River, and the site has a high bushfire risk, which requires an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) between the bushland and the proposed site buildings. The proposed APZ will require extensive land clearing including the removal of a high number of trees and the building of a road through the site.

According to the RFS (https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/4412/Guideline-for-Councils-to-Bushfire-Prone-Area-Land-Mapping.pdf):

“Vegetation Category 1 Vegetation Category 1 is considered to be the highest risk for bush fire. It is represented as red on the bush fire prone land map and will be given a 100m buffer. This vegetation category has the highest combustibility and likelihood of forming fully developed fires including heavy ember production. Vegetation Category 1 consists of: › Areas of forest, woodlands, heaths (tall and short), forested wetlands and timber plantations.  
from RFS.”

My main concern is the number of mature trees that will need to be felled, and the clearance of forested land required to maintain an adequate APZ.

Thanks and regards
William Currie

The position of the site will disrupt the Great North Walk track visually and audibly. Many old and valuable trees will be removed, this is not suitable for a national park so close to the city, which is a valuable habitat and refuge for many native species which would otherwise slowly disappear from Sydney.

Dear NSW Major Projects

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

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

Destroying established native bushland cannot be offset by planting 750 trees elsewhere it is an irreplaceable ecosystem, not just the number of trees . The project causes permanent biodiversity loss, worsens urban heat, and adds huge water and energy strain from the data centre itself. Allowing this sets a dangerous precedent that developers can bulldoze habitat and green space then fix it with small gestures.

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

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

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