PETITION TO THE CITY OF SWAN – PROPOSED CDC DATA CENTRE, 178–196 BUSHMEAD ROAD, HAZELMERE
We petition the City of Swan to ensure that the proposed CDC data centre at 178–196 Bushmead Road, Hazelmere, is subject to comprehensive, independent assessment and meaningful community consultation before any approval is granted.

We ask that the City of Swan fully consider the potential impacts of the proposed development on nearby residents, the surrounding community and the local environment, including the following:

Noise and residential amenity
The proposed data centre would operate continuously, potentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are concerned about ongoing operational noise from cooling systems, mechanical plant, fans, pumps, generators and other equipment.

Particular consideration must be given to night-time noise, when background noise levels are lower and residents are sleeping. Noise impacts should be assessed at nearby residences and should include low-frequency and tonal noise and the cumulative effect of all equipment and infrastructure associated with the development.

We request that appropriate noise limits, monitoring and enforceable conditions be established to protect surrounding residents.

Diesel generators and emergency power
We request full assessment of all proposed diesel generators and associated emergency power infrastructure, including generator testing, noise, air emissions, fuel storage, fuel deliveries, emergency operation and the potential cumulative impacts of these activities.

The frequency and duration of generator testing should also be clearly identified and assessed, including potential impacts during night-time hours.

Electricity infrastructure
The electricity requirements of a large-scale data centre may require significant electrical infrastructure, including substations, transformers, transmission infrastructure, power lines, cables and other associated equipment.

We request that all such infrastructure be clearly identified and assessed as part of the overall development, including its location, visual impact, noise, electromagnetic infrastructure, construction requirements and environmental impacts.

Water use and cooling
Data centres can require substantial quantities of water for cooling and other operations.

We request clear information about the proposed water source, expected water consumption, cooling systems, wastewater, water recycling, stormwater and drainage arrangements.

The potential effects on groundwater, wetlands, waterways and surrounding land must be properly assessed, including the cumulative impact of water use during periods of low rainfall or water restrictions.

Underground infrastructure, piping and services
We request full assessment of any underground infrastructure required for the proposed development, including water pipes, wastewater pipes, drainage pipes, electrical conduits, telecommunications cabling and other services.

This must include any excavation, trenching, boring, tunnelling or installation of infrastructure under, across or alongside existing roads.

The assessment should identify the location, purpose, size and extent of all proposed underground infrastructure and consider potential impacts on existing services, roads, drainage, groundwater, wetlands and the surrounding environment.

Roads, traffic and construction
We request assessment of all construction and operational traffic associated with the development, including heavy vehicles, worker vehicles, equipment deliveries, oversized loads and ongoing servicing and maintenance vehicles.

The impact on Bushmead Road and surrounding roads must be properly considered, including road safety, congestion, road damage and the cumulative effect of additional industrial traffic.

We also request assessment of any road widening, road upgrades, new access points, road closures, traffic diversions or other road works required for the development.

The construction impacts of installing underground services and infrastructure must be considered as part of the overall data centre proposal rather than being treated as separate or unrelated works.

Construction impacts
We request full assessment of construction activities, including clearing, earthworks, excavation, piling, drilling, trenching, boring, concrete works, heavy machinery, dust, vibration, lighting, noise and construction traffic.

The duration and hours of construction should be clearly identified, with appropriate restrictions and controls to protect nearby residents.

Any impacts from construction activities occurring outside the main development site, including road reserves and surrounding properties, should also be assessed.

Helena River, wetlands and waterways
The proposed development is located in an area where the protection of natural waterways and wetlands is important.

We request detailed assessment of potential impacts on the Helena River, nearby wetlands, groundwater and natural drainage systems, including potential flooding and changes to natural water flows.

Any clearing, earthworks, drainage changes, underground infrastructure, road works or other activities associated with the development must be assessed for their potential effects on these environmental areas.

Native wildlife and threatened or endangered species
We are concerned about the potential loss or disturbance of habitat and the impact on native wildlife, including threatened and endangered species that may use the area.

A comprehensive ecological assessment should identify protected, threatened or endangered species and habitat that could be affected by the proposed development, construction works, road works or associated infrastructure.

Any clearing or disturbance of vegetation and habitat should be properly assessed before approval.

Environmental impacts
We request comprehensive assessment of vegetation clearing, habitat loss, emissions, energy consumption, water consumption, waste, stormwater, drainage, lighting, heat and other environmental impacts associated with the development.

The cumulative environmental impact of a large-scale, continuously operating data centre must be considered rather than assessing individual impacts in isolation.

Air quality and emissions
We request assessment of emissions associated with generators, construction activities, vehicle movements and other equipment.

Potential impacts on local air quality should be assessed for both the construction and operational phases of the development.

Lighting and visual amenity
We request assessment of all external lighting, security lighting, building lighting and other illumination associated with the development, including potential impacts on nearby residents, wildlife and the night-time environment.

The visual impact of large-scale buildings, infrastructure, cooling equipment, substations, fencing and associated structures should also be considered.

Cumulative impacts
We request that the proposal be assessed in the context of other existing and proposed development in the surrounding area.

The cumulative impacts of increased industrialisation, traffic, noise, electricity infrastructure, water use, construction, environmental disturbance and other developments must be considered rather than assessing the data centre in isolation.

Community consultation and transparency
Residents and the wider community should be provided with clear, accessible and comprehensive information about the full proposal, including all associated infrastructure and potential environmental and residential impacts.

The community should have a genuine opportunity to raise concerns and have those concerns properly considered before any decision is made.

We request that all significant supporting studies, plans and assessments relating to the development and associated infrastructure be made available to the community.

Our request
We respectfully ask the City of Swan to ensure that the proposed CDC data centre at 178–196 Bushmead Road, Hazelmere, is subject to comprehensive and transparent assessment before any approval is granted.

We ask that the long-term interests of nearby residents, the surrounding community, the Helena River, wetlands, waterways, native wildlife, threatened and endangered species and the broader environment are properly protected and considered.

We call for comprehensive independent assessment, transparency, meaningful community consultation and appropriate enforceable conditions to address the potential impacts of this development and all associated infrastructure.