$1.3 billion Kemps Creek data centre on exhibition

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is calling for community feedback on plans for a new $1.3 billion data centre at Kemps Creek, in Western Sydney.

The Department’s Executive Director of Energy & Resource Assessments Clay Preshaw said community input is a vital part of the assessment process and encouraged everyone to have their say on the proposal.

“This proposal is the latest in a growing trend of rapid planning and development proposals of these in-demand facilities,” Mr Preshaw said.

“Our increased reliance on digital technologies, particularly over the last 18 months, means the demand for the physical infrastructure underpinning these technologies is growing.

“Not only are these facilities housing the vital infrastructure needed to support consumers and help our businesses run smoothly, they also mean jobs and investment.”

Mr Preshaw said that if approved, the proposed 24-hour data centre would create around 300 construction jobs and approximately 50 operational jobs once up and running.

“Our role is to assess the application in consultation with the local community, government agencies and stakeholders and we encourage the community to share their views,” he said.

After the exhibition closes, the Department will review all community submissions received, along with feedback from other government agencies and councils as part of its rigorous assessment process.

Over the past five years, the NSW Government had approved three of these data centres in Sydney, creating a total of 1,168 construction jobs, 160 ongoing jobs and injecting $966 million into the economy.

“There’s already six more in the pipeline and our recent policy changes to lower the threshold for them to be considered State Significant Development, means we’ll likely see more coming through the system soon,” Mr Preshaw said.

To view plans and have your say on the project by Thursday, 16 December 2021 visit the NSW Planning Portal.