Developer Goodman Group has withdrawn its plans for a controversial A$1.2bn datacentre in Lane Cove, Sydney's north. The company stated that 'emerging' regulations from both state and federal governments were behind the decision to abandon 'Project Mars'.
The plans were removed from the NSW planning portal on Monday, with Goodman Group indicating on its website that the policy and regulatory landscape for large-scale datacentres has 'evolved significantly'. The company concluded it would not proceed with the development application after considering the new federal and state policies.
The Lane Cove proposal had drawn considerable criticism, particularly from local residents concerned about its proximity to schools, event spaces, and green areas. There were also growing concerns about the clustering of datacentres in Lane Cove, with several already planned or operational.
Sasha Titchkosky, spokesperson for Lane Cove Responsible Planning, expressed her satisfaction with the withdrawal, suggesting that a more appropriate regulatory regime earlier could have prevented issues. Goodman Group's general manager for development, Ben McGilp, previously stated the company supports 'clear, consistent and evidence-based regulation'.
The NSW government introduced a 'fast-track' framework for datacentre applications in August, promising assessments within 75 days if plans meet specific principles, including 'world-class' standards for noise and air pollution. This followed federal government rules in July, aimed at addressing community concerns regarding datacentre locations, energy, and water use, with legislation anticipated early next year.