AirTrunk proposes 540 megawatt data centre on former Kurri Kurri smelter site
NSW Department of Planning(NSW Department of Planning)
Newy 87.8 FM – AirTrunk is proposing a 540 megawatt data centre on the former Kurri Kurri smelter site at Hart Road, Loxford, with the project now at the Environmental Impact Statement preparation stage.
The proposal, listed on the NSW Planning Portal as State Significant Development SSD-128819490, covers construction, fit-out and operation of a data centre at the former Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri plant in the Cessnock City local government area.
Because it is a State Significant Development, the consent authority is the NSW Government, not Cessnock City Council. Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements have been issued, but the EIS has not yet been exhibited and no approval decision has been made.
AirTrunk says the facility would be two storeys, approximately 16.8 metres tall and 44,220 square metres. The company claims it would deliver more than 350 ongoing local jobs, including 250 on-site roles, with several thousand additional jobs expected during construction.
The company says the site is more than 500 metres from the nearest home, in an industrial zone adjacent to the Hunter Expressway, and will use air-based cooling rather than drawing on community water supply.
AirTrunk says it has submitted a draft offer to Cessnock City Council to contribute more than $37 million towards district infrastructure.
A community drop-in centre will operate at the Kurri Kurri Visitor Information Centre, 199 Lang Street, during October, open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm.
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