Trillion Trees Australia does not support the development application for a hyperscale data centre at Lot 178 and Lot 196 Bushmead Rd, Hazelmere.
The application is now open for public comment on Swan Engage. You do not need to be a City of Swan resident to make a submission.
The proposed data centre will cover a floor area of 85,945m2 and operate 24/7.
Development of this land will mean the loss of one of the last remaining pockets of significant remnant vegetation on private land in Hazelmere. Connected corridors of vegetation through urban areas are critical for the survival of native wildlife species already under threat, including Carnaby's black cockatoos and snake necked turtles.
The community has many wide ranging concerns about this development including:
Canopy loss - 400+ established trees will be lost across the sites and verges inc 79 marri trees (prime black cockatoo food trees).
Wetland loss - This land provides biodiverse habitat for a range of wildlife including rare snake necked turtles. As well as habitat loss, concreting over this wetland will have wide ranging implications for groundwater levels and flood risk on surrounding land.
Urban heat island - Data centre impacts on local temperatures are not recorded yet in Australia, but in the US research has shown increases of up to 9 degrees celsius 500m downwind of hyperscale data centres. Set against a warming climate and lost tree canopy, this is a significant concern in a city that's already in a canopy crisis.
Scale - at 37.5m this will be the tallest building in Midland and Hazelmere. Most surrounding buildings on the industrial side of the development are less than 20m and on the residential side we have single storey homes (<5m).
Zoning - the land is in a special use zone (SUZ 25) which is part of the City of Swan's Local Planning Scheme 17 designed explicitly to act as a buffer zone to carefully consider appropriate land uses on the edge of the industrial zones, adjacent to residential. Development within SUZ25 typically requires an approved Local Structure Plan (LSP) guiding lot layout, environmental buffers, and compatibility with nearby sensitive land uses. There is no approved Local Structure Plan in this case - the production of one is necessary to protect the amenity of local residents.
Proximity to homes - approx 200m away from residential properties on two boundaries.
To make a submission visit Swan Engage. Submissions close Thursday 5 November at 5pm AWST.
Copies of submissions can also be emailed to the local member of Parliament, email hidden; JavaScript is required and the Federal Member, email hidden; JavaScript is required
The City of Swan is not the decision maker for this application. The City will prepare a Responsible Authority Report including public comments for presentation to the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (DAP).