23/07/2026

by Cam Lucadou-Wells and Violet Li

A giant $1.1 billion data centre is being proposed in Clyde North, but residents say they are being left in the dark.

The proposed facility – believed to be the first in Casey – would be built within a 53-hectare expanse of paddocks at 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road.

The site is part of the Croskell Employment Precinct, but flanked by nearby housing estates, including an early learning centre, and a retail precinct.

State and federal governments have welcomed data centres as key digital and AI infrastructure.

They have proliferated in neighbourhoods in Melbourne and other cities, but drawn a rising backlash over the facilities’ noise, backup generators, cooling systems, energy demand, construction impacts, and water consumption.

The proposal was lodged with City of Casey on 20 April, and the council is yet to make a decision on the application.

Despite the public interest, there are scant details about the application currently on Casey Council’s online planning register.

Under State Government planning requirements, the project is exempt from standard notice requirements and third-party appeal rights due to it being in an Urban Growth Zone.

Clyde North resident and objector Dayna Lynch said documents had been publicly available, but since been taken down.

“As a young homeowner, I chose to buy in Clyde North because of the vision for the area. It was marketed as a family-focused community with parks, nature reserves, walking trails, schools, shopping centres, community spaces and places to build a future.

“I understand digital infrastructure is important, but developments of this scale should be located where they are compatible with surrounding land uses and do not undermine the long-term vision that attracted families like mine to the area in the first place. ”

Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association called for “clear answers”, “rigorous planning scrutiny”, “greater transparency” and “meaningful community engagement”.

“Our principal concern is whether a continuously operating industrial facility of this scale is appropriate in such close proximity to existing and future residential communities,” CRRA president Anthony Tassone said.

“Data centres don’t operate from nine to five.

“They operate around the clock, every day of the year.

“A $1.1 billion development deserves a $1.1 billion level of scrutiny.”

Mr Tassone said “broad assurances” on how the impacts would be managed are “not enough’.

“Any approval should be supported by detailed technical evidence, enforceable planning conditions, appropriate independent monitoring and clear mechanisms for addressing community concerns should impacts exceed expectations.”

He said the principle was the same as for the recently-rejected waste transfer station in Hampton Park.

“Council and the applicant must ensure residents have access to the full planning application documentation, plain-English information where appropriate, and genuine opportunities to participate in the planning process before any decision is made.”

The CRRA also wanted clear answers on the broader economic benefits, including the number of construction jobs and permanent jobs.

Casey mayor Stefan Koomen said there was “strong community interest” and “many residents have questions about what it could mean for our community”.

He said the council was committed to a “thorough, fair and transparent process that considers the impacts of this significant proposal and the best interests of our community”.

“At this stage, councillors have not been asked to make a decision on the application, and it would be inappropriate to form a view before all relevant information has been received.

“Councillors will shortly be briefed on the proposal and the planning process, including the next steps.

Cr Koomen said the council strongly supported greater policy guidance from State and Federal governments on this “relatively new and rapidly growing land use”.

Recently the Federal Government announced national standards for AI, including that large-scale data centres pay their “full share” for grid connection and “put at least as much energy into our grid as they take out of it”.

There would also be rules to “minimise” water use and “maximise” energy efficiency, and to not compete with new housing.

The State Government approved a Precinct Structure Plan to provide new jobs and industrial land in Clyde North on 13 March this year, just over a month before the data centre application was lodged.

As of 22 July, the permit application PA26-0190 had received at least six objections.