AFTER SIGNING THE PETITION PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE NSW PLANNING WEBSITE  BEFORE THE 5TH OF MAY STARTING WITH "I OBJECT TO THIS PROPOSAL ...." AND MENTION ONE OR MORE OF THE POINTS BELOW BASED ON WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE MOST. 

The tranquillity, safety, and wellbeing of our community are at risk with the proposed construction of a large‑scale data centre at 12 Mars Road, Lane Cove West — in close proximity to homes, Lane Cove West Public School, and Blackman Park. While data centres are important pieces of digital infrastructure, this proposal raises significant planning, environmental, and community‑impact concerns that require careful and transparent assessment.

Data centres operate 24/7 and typically involve substantial energy and water use, heat output, mechanical plant, and diesel backup systems. These elements can affect surrounding residential and educational environments through noise, traffic, visual bulk, and air quality impacts. The suitability of this location — adjacent to a primary school and key community spaces — warrants thorough scrutiny.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) currently on exhibition contains several areas where key information is incomplete, based on preliminary inputs, or deferred for later resolution. Some conclusions in the EIS rely on assumptions that have not yet been supported by finalised modelling or confirmed equipment specifications. For a project of this scale and sensitivity, the community is seeking a more robust, evidence‑based assessment before any determination is made.

3 YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION (MONDAY–SATURDAY)

The proposal involves approximately three years of construction, operating six days a week, directly alongside residential areas, the school, and Blackman Park. This is expected to result in:

• Ongoing construction noise affecting families, young children, and shift workers
• Disruption to learning environments at Lane Cove West Public School
• Dust, vibration, and reduced air quality over an extended period
• A prolonged reduction in neighbourhood amenity  

Parking and traffic impacts are also a major concern. Lane Cove West already experiences significant pressure around the school and park. Construction activity is likely to increase:

• Demand for worker parking
• Heavy‑vehicle movements
• Congestion and safety risks during school drop‑off and pick‑up
• Competition for already limited residential street parking  

These impacts require clearer assessment and mitigation than currently presented.

KEY CONCERNS RAISED BY THE COMMUNITY

1. Proximity and scale - The proposed building height exceeds existing planning controls, and the setbacks to residential boundaries are limited. The scale and location of the facility raise questions about compatibility with surrounding land uses.
2. Noise impacts - Construction noise is expected to be significant. Operational noise modelling is based on draft mechanical designs, meaning final noise levels remain uncertain. Backup diesel generators and potential low‑frequency noise require further detailed assessment.
3. Air quality - The proposal includes diesel generator testing and potential operation during outages. The cumulative air‑quality impacts of multiple nearby data centres have not been fully explored.
4. Infrastructure capacity - Sydney Water and Ausgrid have not yet confirmed service capacity for the development. Key infrastructure requirements remain unresolved in the exhibited material.
5. Environmental impacts - The proposal involves the removal of 90 trees, reducing natural buffers and affecting local biodiversity. Continuous lighting, heat, and activity may also influence local wildlife.
6. Visual and amenity impacts - The visual assessment relies on selected viewpoints that may not fully represent the experience of nearby residents. The scale and massing of the building could significantly alter local character.
7. Social and economic considerations - The EIS concludes that there will be no significant adverse impacts, but further clarity is needed on potential effects on residential amenity, property values, and community wellbeing.
8. Consultation concerns - Only a small number of community members were consulted, and the exhibition period overlaps with Easter and school holidays, limiting participation from key stakeholders.
9. Strategic planning context - The proposal is being assessed in isolation despite multiple data centres in the area and an active NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into data centre planning. The outcomes of that inquiry may be relevant to this assessment.
10. Reliance on future information -Several important elements of the proposal depend on future studies, finalised designs, or post‑approval commitments. A project of this scale should be assessed using complete and verified information.

WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS

This is not about opposing development. It is about ensuring development is responsible, evidence‑based, and appropriately located. The community is asking for a rigorous, transparent assessment that fully considers the impacts on residents, the school, and the local environment.

A strong, coordinated community response helps ensure that decision‑makers understand the level of concern and the need for a thorough review.

TOGETHER, WE CAN PROTECT OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Help us safeguard our homes, our school, our environment, and our community values. Sign this petition to call for a fair, transparent, and comprehensive assessment — and to ensure that any development in this area is compatible with the wellbeing of residents and the natural environment.