Concerns are rising among residents in West Footscray, Melbourne, regarding the construction of what is projected to be the largest hyperscale AI facility in Australia, known as the M3 datacentre. Local parents, including Sean Brown, are particularly worried about the potential health impacts on children due to construction noise, towering structures, and emissions from diesel generators.
The expansion of the M3 facility is set to increase its footprint to 10 hectares and will require 225 megawatts (MW) of continuous power. Critics argue the environmental effects have not been adequately assessed, with Brown highlighting the negative implications for his young son’s health. NextDC, the company behind the project, claims that this infrastructure investment is crucial for Australia’s economic prospects.
Opposition is not limited to local residents; the Maribyrnong council has also raised objections to the expansion, pending planning approval from the Victorian government. A spokesperson confirmed that the proposal is currently under review. Meanwhile, similar concerns have surfaced in Sydney, where a new datacentre project named Project Mars faces scrutiny over its size and proximity to residential areas.