My name is Mael, a local resident of Macquarie Park currently renting, but with dreams of becoming a homeowner in this area one day.

Like many in our community, I am deeply concerned about the recent proposal to construct a large data centre adjacent to the Macquarie Park Metro station. This location holds immense promise and potential for developing transit-oriented housing that can benefit not just current residents, but future families and generations hoping to call Macquarie Park their home.

Macquarie Park is a thriving suburb, known for its connectivity, vibrant atmosphere, and employment opportunities. With the metro station at its heart, it provides an ideal setting for smart urban development. However, current plans to build a data centre on this prime real estate threaten to compromise our community's growth and sustainability. Data centres, while essential, require vast amounts of land but offer no residential capacity. Their presence can drastically alter the area’s potential to provide housing, increase residential affordability, and enhance accessibility to vital services.

Around the world, leading cities are embracing transit-oriented developments (TOD) as a sustainable approach to urban planning. TOD projects close to public transport hubs enhance quality of life by reducing traffic congestion, lowering emissions, and boosting local economies. The Macquarie Park Metro station sits at the confluence of such possibilities, capable of supporting thousands of new homes and community services.

The decision to prioritize a data centre over residential facilities exacerbates existing housing pressures and alienates those aiming to establish roots in Macquarie Park. The housing supply in Sydney already suffers from significant challenges, with demand far outstripping supply, driving up prices and reducing housing availability for young professionals and families. We see this in our own lives, as it becomes progressively harder to find affordable housing options in Sydney's desirable suburbs.

By advocating for the allocation of this site for housing development, we are not just thinking about brick-and-mortar buildings, but about nurturing a dynamic and diverse community poised for the future. It is crucial that local authorities, urban planners, and developers focus on creating a residential landscape that serves the growing needs of our population while reinforcing our community's identity.

We urge decision-makers to reconsider and revise the current proposal, ensuring that Macquarie Park's development adheres to sustainable urban planning principles and,

1. Undertake an independent strategic review of the cumulative impacts of data centre clustering in Macquarie Park.
2. Reserve metro-adjacent sites for housing-rich and employment-rich development that maximises public benefit.
3. Identify more appropriate locations for large-scale data centres that do not compromise key transit-oriented development opportunities.

Sydney's metro stations are public assets. Land surrounding them should be used to create homes, jobs, services and vibrant communities, not infrastructure that delivers limited public activation while consuming land that cannot be replaced.

By signing this petition, you join us in supporting a vision for Macquarie Park that embraces opportunity, community, and a balanced approach to progress. Please sign and share this petition if you believe Macquarie Park's future should be shaped around people, housing and great urban outcomes.