Petition Stop the South Morang data centre developments

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the need to stop the South Morang data centre developments at 525 and 535 McDonalds Road and 765 Plenty Road. The planning permit was granted on 12 September 2024 and further amendments approved on 2 June 2025 and 30 October 2025 with construction expected to begin in late 2026 to early 2027 and first stage completion expected in 2028-2029.

Many residents are concerned about the potential impacts of a large hyperscale data centre on the surrounding community and that they did not receive public notice or public consultation before planning permits were approved. Residents have concerns about water and electricity usage, environmental impacts on the surrounding community, noise during and after construction and any potential short or long-term health impacts on the community.

Residents are calling for greater transparency about the project, ongoing communication and public information sessions where the community can ask questions, clear information about traffic, noise, electricity, water use and environmental management, and careful consideration of the project’s impacts on the surrounding community. 

We are demanding answers and support from local councillors, local members of Parliament, and the Minister who approved the project.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to place an emergency moratorium on the South Morang data centre projects until further public transparency and consultation is received, including whether mandatory planning considerations were followed for amenity, traffic, flooding, vegetation, notice and infrastructure, and community consultation is conducted.