An artist’s impression of the proposed site. Photo: CDC/Wagga Wagga City Council.
Two petitions have been launched opposing a giant data centre proposed for Gregadoo, just 24 hours after details of the controversial $15 billion development were made public.
Canberra Data Centres (CDC) is proposing a four-building data centre campus at 216 Ashfords Road, Gregadoo, next to the tip.
The campus would cover about 63 hectares – roughly 90 AFL football fields – within a 104-hectare site, with the four buildings containing about 189,000 square metres of floor space.
It could eventually require up to 1.4 gigawatts of electricity and include hundreds of diesel backup generators.
Author Eden Summers, who lives at nearby Gelston Park about 4 km from the proposed site, said she was blindsided by one of the biggest developments the town has ever seen.
“I only found out of this last night, on the news. But this process started months ago; it would have been nice to have been consulted,” she said.
“We are surrounded by wildlife and a lush environment; we don’t want any part of this.”
She has launched a petition through the website change.org that raises concern about the impact of a major development on the rural area.
Ms Summers was also concerned about the potential fire risks associated with the development, particularly given its proximity to the Gregadoo waste facility.
“Tip fires take weeks to fight and the efforts are usually manned by volunteers,” she said.
Academic Sam Bowker said, in his capacity as a private resident, that he supported the petition and opposed the data centre.
“I see it as not a net good for humanity. My primary concerns are noise, pollution, excess use of resources and unsustainability.”
A second change.org petition, launched by Rachael Cornius-Randall, calls for the rural character of Gregadoo to be protected.
“Residents fear the irreversible change this will bring to our farmland, affecting agricultural productivity, disturbing local ecosystems and altering the landscape our community relies on for livelihoods and leisure,” the petition states.
“The transformation of Gregadoo into an energy precinct will place increasing pressure on local resources – our roads, water supply and regional environment.”
The petition also raises concerns about increased traffic and pollution.
Opposition to the proposal comes after years of debate around the development of large renewable energy projects in the region, with residents and landholders previously raising concerns about consultation, compensation, roads, noise and the impact on rural communities.
Independent Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr said CDC should not proceed without genuine consultation and appropriate benefits for the community.
“The onus is on the developer – CDC Data Centres – to prove that the development will be socially and environmentally acceptable to the community,” Dr McGirr said.
He said CDC had assured him it would listen to local feedback, provide updates and work with the community.
“I will hold them to that promise and continue to closely monitor the proposal,” he said.
Dr McGirr acknowledged the project represented a massive economic investment, with long-term jobs, and could help Australia remain at the forefront of the global artificial intelligence industry.
But he said CDC should not repeat the mistakes of some renewable energy developers which had failed to adequately consult or compensate affected communities.
He said appropriate community benefits should be a key part of any planning approval.
Water and power use, as well as the impact on neighbouring properties, would also need to be examined, he said.
“This centre would offer many technical and economic benefits, but it must be stressed that neighbours and others directly affected will have legitimate questions and concerns and must be consulted, with their feedback incorporated into the planning,” Dr McGirr said.
“If safety cannot be guaranteed, it should not proceed.”
CDC has said the centre would use reticulated water and mechanical cooling infrastructure to minimise water consumption.
Those claims will be tested as part of the planning process.
The project is a state significant development, meaning the NSW Government – rather than Wagga Wagga City Council – will ultimately determine whether it proceeds.
CDC was contacted for comment.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
