Development | Local

What is this about?

This project involves the construction of a data centre, which is proposed to be a utility-scale advanced computing infrastructure, forming part of the critical digital systems that support contemporary economic, social and government activity.

The site of the proposal is approximately 3ha. It is located on 174 and 226 Milll Road Wesley Vale and is zoned General Industrial. The project represents an investment of approximately $2.1billion.

The project proposal was referred to the Minister from Latrobe Council (not the proponent) with a request that it be declared a major project and be assessed under the major project planning process.

Who is involved?

The proponent is Firmus Technologies.

Background

There are 3 possible scenarios that enable a request for a major project to be initiated, as follows –

  1. The proponent makes a request to the Minister,
  2. The relevant Planning Authority refers the project to the Minister, requesting it be declared a major project, or
  3. The Minister decides to call the project in for consideration as a major project.

Because of their scale, major projects are assessed differently to normal development applications. There is more detail about the process available on the Development page.

Life cycle

The stages of the amendment process are explained in more detail below.

Referal

The Minister has received the proposal, as referred by the Latrobe Council. The referral from Latrobe Council did not include a completed major project proposal.

Eligibility

The Minister has written to various parties under section 60I(1) of LUPAA stating the proposal has been received.
The next step is to assess the eligibility of the proposal for consideration of whether it should be declared a major project. This will require the submission of a major project proposal document, in due course. The Minister has written to Firmus Technologies requesting they provide the necessary major project proposal within 90 days.

Upon receipt of the major project proposal document, the Minister will again write to various parties under section 60I(2) of LUPAA, including relevant landowners, occupiers, councils, and State agencies to invite comment on the eligibility of the proposal.

After considering comments received and the State Planning Office’s recommendation, the Minister will decide whether to declare a major project, or not.