Canberra's largest data centre developer has submitted plans for the second stage of its Jerrabomberra site, a week before the ACT government announced it would develop a framework to regulate new projects.
CDC Data Centres, a Canberra-based developer and operator of data centres, is already building a two-storey data centre with 10 data halls on the site, as stage one of the development.
The second stage would include the construction of a 29,924-square-metre, three-storey centre with 12 data halls and emergency on-site generators, according to an application submitted to the planning authority last month.
The site, which sits between Copper Close, Nickel Street and Tantalum Street in Beard, is surrounded by existing industrial and commercial developments, and a railway line.
The area intended for the second data centre was already degraded during the building of the first centre, according to the development application and would have little further effect on the surrounding environment.
The campus is CDC's fourth in the ACT, joining two others already operating in Hume, as well as one in Fyshwick. Altogether, the company operates seven data centres in the territory.
According to the ACT government, there are about 15 data centres already operating in the territory. Another centre in Hume has also been proposed, a spokesperson for the government said, in addition to CDC's latest proposal.
Those include NextDC's Bruce location, Equinix's Mitchell location, and TransACT's Dickson site.
Last week, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the ACT would develop a data centre framework which would protect residential areas, housing and water.
The framework would include clear rules setting out where data centres could be built in the ACT, as well as how proposals for new sites would be assessed.
It follows the federal government's announcement earlier this year that oversight of artificial intelligence would be centralised, and data centres would be subject to strict water and power restrictions.
At the time, Mr Barr said the territory's standards were probably already higher than those set out in the national approach.
"Canberra's climate also suits data centres better than some of the warmer or more tropical environments because we have lower humidity and periods like we are in now where it's very cold. So some of the heat issues that some data centres in warmer climates face aren't as prevalent in the ACT," Mr Barr said.
"So I think we're well placed to be part of a national framework. In fact, in many instances, we can lead that on the ground with the practical data centres that we have in operation in the territory now."
A spokesperson for CDC said the company welcomed the government's plan to ensure data centres met community expectations and contributed positively to the regions they operated in.
The company would "draw on our track record to support high benchmarks being put in place", the spokesperson said.
The framework was an opportunity to ensure the ACT remained a leading destination for data centres, chief executive officer Greg Boorer said in a statement.
"Providing certainty around planning, infrastructure and sustainability expectations will support responsible industry growth and attract long-term investment to the territory," Mr Boorer said.
Public consultation on the second stage of CDC's Jerrabomberra site will end on Friday, September 18.
