A mega datacentre planned for outer Melbourne is six times larger than a large shopping centre, alarming residents and sparking community resentment across Australia. The proposed site in Plumpton, about 30km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, sits on a 350-hectare paddock next to Melbourne’s renewable energy hub. Syncline Energy, the developer, aims to build four datacentre buildings with a maximum capacity of 2.4GW, consuming more electricity than Victoria’s largest power station, Loy Yang A.
Community Reaction and Concerns
Residents first learned of the project through a letter in the mailbox or via social media and news reports. The letter from Syncline Energy described it as a “friendly introduction” and assured that construction won’t start for at least two years while planning and environmental approvals are completed. However, the sheer scale of the project—140 hectares of built area, or nearly six times the size of Chadstone shopping centre—has alarmed many. Planes from nearby Tullamarine airport and noise from the Calder speedway add to the growing unease.
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Environmental Impact and Energy Demands
The datacentre’s energy consumption is a major concern. It will require more electricity than Loy Yang A, a coal-fired power station that generates about 2.2GW. According to the report by Data Centres Australia, there are 30 datacentres in operation in Victoria with another 30 in the pipeline. This explosion in construction raises questions about environmental sustainability and grid capacity. Syncline Energy plans to use renewable energy from the adjacent hub, but critics remain skeptical.
| Comparison | Size/Energy |
|---|---|
| Proposed Datacentre (built area) | 140 hectares |
| Chadstone Shopping Centre | ~24 hectares |
| Loy Yang A power station capacity | 2.2 GW |
| Proposed datacentre capacity | 2.4 GW |
Key Takeaways
- The mega datacentre in Plumpton is six times larger than Chadstone shopping centre.
- It will consume more electricity than Victoria’s largest power station.
- Community resentment is growing due to lack of early communication and environmental concerns.
- Victoria already has 30 operational datacentres with 30 more planned.
- Environmental approvals and planning will take at least two more years.
FAQ
Where is the mega datacentre planned?
The mega datacentre is planned for Plumpton, about 30km north-west of the Melbourne CBD in Victoria, Australia.
How big is the proposed datacentre compared to a shopping centre?
The built area of the datacentre will be 140 hectares, which is nearly six times the size of Chadstone shopping centre.
What are the environmental concerns?
The datacentre will consume more electricity than Victoria’s largest power station, raising concerns about grid capacity and carbon footprint, despite plans to use renewable energy.
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