A newly formed community group has staged its first public demonstration against plans for one of Naarm/Melbourne’s largest data centres, citing environmental concerns and lack of genuine consultation around the development at the former Ford factory site.
“No Data Centre Campbellfield,” which formed in recent months, gathered roughly 50 members and supporters near the construction entrance on Barry Street, in Melbourne’s outer northern suburb of Campbellfield. Organisers cited air and noise pollution, localised warming effects, water consumption during extended drought periods, possible water and energy cost increases and insufficient community consultation among their concerns.
The demonstration was scheduled to coincide with Fridays peak-hour traffic, drawing visible support from passing motorists, with dozens of vehicles observed gesturing approval including horns, thumbs up, and raised fists.
The site is being developed by Zerra DC who have ambitions to build 5 multistorey data hall buildings on the site, totaling a capacity of 288MW. The project’s planning application is still awaiting a determination from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
Further actions are being organised by the community campaign, including raising community concerns at the Hume Council Meeting scheduled for Monday 24 Aug. Organisers of the community group directs supporters to its Instagram account for updates.
More coverage can be found via: The Age | ABC Listen | Information Age | Green Left
