Huge step forward for major $3bn data centre set to be built in Sydney
Plans to build a multibillion-dollar data center in Sydney have taken a major step forward after land was secured for the project.
Macquarie Technology spent $240 million on a parcel of land for the ambitious project that will add a fourth data center to its existing campus.
The $3 billion investment will build a new center on a 34,200 square meter site in Sydney’s northern suburbs, between Talavera Rd and the M2 motorway at Macquarie Park.
The tech giant hopes to have the project completed in late 2029, but will need to go through the entire planning process with local authorities.
Group director David Hirst told the Australian Financial Review that projects like this are vital to helping protect Australian citizens’ data.
“The modern world cannot function without computing infrastructure. The most responsible place for this is inside the data center,” he said.
“If we don’t put all the applications we use today into Australia’s sovereign data centers then they will be consumed or built offshore and then we will have no control.”
A statement from the organization published via the Australian Securities Exchange confirmed further details of the project.
“The new campus will support research, technology and learning opportunities alongside Macquarie University,” it reads.
“The company plans to continue its successful campus-style approach with initial construction estimated to be completed in late calendar year 2029, subject to planning and other approvals.”
The company has also promised to create a half-hectare park within the campus as part of the development, transforming a “neglected” industrial site.
The park will feature a new outdoor art gallery that will feature work by local college students.
“This significant contribution to the community reflects Macquarie’s 16-year record of contribution to Ryde City communities by supporting early childhood literacy, career planning for high school students and university graduation pathways,” the statement adds.
While existing data centers are mainly used for data processing by banks, hospitals and governments, the new center can also be used to train artificial intelligence models.
Macquarie operates six data centres, two in Canberra and four in Sydney, one in the city’s CBD and three in Macquarie Park.
