In a decision that resonated with residents throughout Sydney, Goodman Group has pulled back its proposal for a 90‑megawatt data centre—Project Mars—near Lane Cove homes. The move follows a record 374 submissions during the public consultation period, only nine of which supported the project.
The proposed A$1.2 billion facility would have taken up 170 hectares, drawing half a gigawatt of power and 2.3 million litres of water per day. Local residents voiced serious concerns about the strain on natural resources, noise, traffic and the broader ecological footprint of large‑scale data centres.
Australia’s surge in data‑centre construction mirrors the rise of generative AI, taking advantage of the country’s abundant clean energy and vast lands. Yet the environmental toll—particularly on water and energy supplies—has brought the projects under fire from communities and advocacy groups who highlight the importance of sustainable stewardship of land and water.
Goodman Group cited evolving policy and community views as reasons for withdrawal. The company also referenced a new NSW fast‑track scheme intended to accelerate approvals for data providers, contingent on meeting high standards for water and energy provisioning.
For many residents of Lane Cove West, the canceled project feels like a win for local governance and communal rights. NSW MP Anthony Roberts praised the outcome as a “common‑sense win” that sends a clear message to developers to seek genuinely suitable sites before proposal.
The affair adds weight to the broader debate over balancing technological growth with the preservation of community integrity and natural resources—a dialogue not dissimilar to those led by indigenous peoples worldwide who advocate for stewardship that respects both Earth and communities.
