Microsoft: New plans released for $350m data centre in Lane Cove amid resident opposition
Microsoft has released new plans for a mega data centre on the lower north shore as part of multi million dollar development opponents have labelled an ‘eye sore’. See what it would look like.
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Global tech giant Microsoft has released new plans for a mega data centre on the lower north shore as part of multi-million dollar development opponents have labelled an ‘eye sore’.
The Lane Cove Technology and Media Park on Mowbray Rd would be redeveloped into a four storey data centre facility as part of a project designed to meet demand for the safe storage of information in the online ‘cloud’.
The $349.6 million development would include 12 data halls along with electrical substations, loading docks, 13 emergency generators, on-site fuel storage tanks and 42 parking spaces.
New plans released last week show existing buildings at the Mowbray Rd site – home to businesses including a ukulele manufacturer – would be demolished to make way for the new building.
Construction plans for the facility have been released by ARUP – which has built similar facilities elsewhere in Australia and around the world – and would be operated by Microsoft.
Feedback from residents has raised concerns over the impacts of the project including noise, excavation works, spoil removal, the storage and use of diesel fuel at site, the handling of hazardous materials, loss of trees, and dust.
Lane Cove North Residents Association convenor June Hefferan has also objected to the bulk and scale of the building.
“We don’t oppose a data centre per se and they’re obviously necessary and have to be built somewhere but I don’t understand why it’s so enormous and has to be an eye sore and such a fat block,” she said.
“There seems to be no attempt at architectural interest for it to fit in better with the surrounding area.
“We accept these centres will have to be built and we’re unlucky to have it in our area, but when you build them you need to take into account where you are and if you’re opposite private residences it should be developed in a reasonable way.”
The new plans have been scaled back from an earlier proposal by Arup which wanted the data centre to stand six storeys tall, accommodating 14 data halls.
According to those plans, the project would provide “safe and efficient cloud-based storage capacity” at a time when online security has come under increased focus.
“The storage of cloud and electronic data is now a fundamental piece of infrastructure and services for both business and consumer transactions,” the plans state.
“A significant part of a data centre’s function is to facilitate the ongoing operation of critical infrastructure and delivery of critical services including water, food, transport, health, banking, and finance. It is imperative that the operations of data centres are completely secure and resilient.
“The data centres (will) become a ‘factory of the future’ and a beacon of what a modern building of this typology should look like.”
Microsoft is the latest company to join the data race on the north shore with construction works nearing completion of a $238 million data centre by NextDC on the corner of Broadcast Way and the Pacific Hwy in Artarmon.
ARUP said the development would operate 24/7 and provide 150 construction jobs and up to 56 full time roles once up and running.
A Microsoft spokeswoman said the development would have benefits for Sydney businesses and the wider population.
“It is also important that we have data centres in Australia that are close to the businesses, homes and organisations that need it,” she said.
“We use more and more data at home, at work and for important services like healthcare, education and telecommunications – we need places to store and manage that data,” the spokesman said.
“The development responds to this increasing demand and supports the continued drive for business development across Sydney and NSW.”
The proposal is open for public feedback until December 1. If approved, construction work is expected to take two years to complete.
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