Australia’s growth areas are at the epicentre of the nation’s rapid expansion in data centres and digital infrastructure — yet local government is grappling with planning, infrastructure and policy settings that were never designed for developments of this scale.
This member's only report examines the data centre industry from a growth area perspective and unpacking what this emerging sector means for councils, communities and national policy.
The report sets out the current data centre industry context, including the demand-side drivers, and provides a snapshot of conditions across each capital city, alongside a clear national policy context and overview of current federal and state AI and data centre policy. It also explores the critical issues facing growth area councils, where large-scale data centre development is concentrated alongside unprecedented housing growth.
Importantly, the report dives deep into the key matters councils need to consider when assessing data centre applications, from land use and infrastructure impacts to energy, water, jobs and long-term community outcomes. It also identifies practical advocacy opportunities for local government, highlighting where stronger coordination, clearer standards and shared responsibility across all levels of government are needed.
As data centres become nationally significant infrastructure, this report calls for planning, policy and investment settings that recognise the realities facing growth area councils — and ensure communities are not asked to carry the impacts without commensurate support or benefit
