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Data Centre Planning & Development

We understand what matters to Data Centre developments: access to power and water, secure operations, efficient access and servicing, and capacity for long-term growth.

Data Centre Planning & Development
Data Centre Planning & Development

We understand what matters to
data centre developers: access
to power and water, secure
operations, and long-term
capacity growth.

Backed by strong relationships across State and Local Government and a proven national track record, we provide clear advice and streamlined approvals pathways.

We help clients identify, assess and compare potential sites across Australia, combining spatial data with planning and infrastructure expertise.

Assessment criteria can include separation from sensitive uses, proximity to electricity networks, access to recycled water for cooling, transport connectivity, planning controls and environmental constraints.

Through multi-criteria spatial analysis, we rank candidate sites and highlight opportunities, barriers and matters requiring further investigation.

Our multidisciplinary teams can then guide a site through either approval stream: Council or the Development Facilitation Program.

Talk to our data centre team.

Support across the Data Centre Lifecycle

Site Selection and Due Diligence

Early advice on potential sites for acquisition in relation to zoning and overlay requirements, potential application pathways and relevant opportunities and constraints to guide acquisition and decision making.

Our expertise ranges from established urban areas, Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) precincts and regional areas.

Our team can review the relevant policy and site context and provide comprehensive due diligence advice.

We often work as part of dedicated Data Centre project teams alongside project managers, architects, engineers and servicing consultants to explore design options and test the feasibility of prospective data centre developments.

Data Centre Master planning

Owing to the scale of data centre development, our multi-disciplinary team will guide the master planning of the data centre layout.

We offer considered and balanced advice to the design process and work collaboratively with the project team in responding to site opportunities and constraints.

Our urban design team can provide expert analyses and testing of different built form outcomes in terms of visual impact.

Planning Approvals

Our planning team and has obtained approvals for numerous Data Centre projects working closely with both Local and State Government authorities.

We have strong relationships with key personnel across all relevant government authorities that has been integral to achieving planning approvals.

Post Approval Amendments

Expansion and amendments to approved Data Centres are often required due to changing operator requirements, the need for additional capacity and the complexity of design.

This can range from minor revisions to the design to more substantial changes such as additional data halls that expand the footprint.

We offer advice on the amendment pathways and facilitate the expedient preparation and approval of amendments.

Data Centre FAQs

What planning approvals does a data centre need in Australia?

Planning and approval requirements for data centres vary between states, territories and local government areas. Early planning advice can help identify the relevant planning controls, approval pathway and potential constraints for a proposed site.

 

What are some planning constraints that affect potential Data Centre sites?

Data Centre sites can be affected by zoning, surrounding land uses, built form controls, amenity considerations, environmental constraints, access requirements and infrastructure capacity. Identifying these constraints early helps inform the site selection and the design and approval strategy. Recent changes in Victoria as a result of the Government’s Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan have added a new layer of constraint. 

What transport considerations apply to data centre developments?

Transport requirements depend on the scale, location and operational characteristics of the facility. Key considerations can include site access, truck movements, vehicle circulation, parking, construction traffic and the interface with the surrounding road network.

What waste considerations apply to data centre developments?

Waste requirements need to be considered throughout the data centre lifecycle, from construction through to ongoing operations and future expansion. This can include construction waste, operational waste streams, waste storage areas, collection vehicle access and opportunities to improve waste separation and recovery.

What landscape architecture considerations apply to data centre developments?

Landscape architecture can help integrate large-scale data centre buildings into their surroundings while responding to site constraints and planning requirements. Considerations can include site interfaces, screening, planting design, open space, visual impact, biodiversity and the relationship between the built form and surrounding landscape.  

With so many services running below ground, a standard landscape plan rarely works on a data centre site. We design bespoke responses that keep infrastructure accessible and still give back to the local environment. 

How do you assess a site for data centre development?

Site assessment considers factors that can influence development potential, including zoning, access to infrastructure and utilities, surrounding land uses, planning controls, transport requirements and site constraints. Early due diligence can help developers understand opportunities and risks before committing to a site.