Australians living near one of the nation\u2019s most iconic natural wonders have scored a major victory in the global AI revolution, successfully knocking back a $4.8 million data centre amid fears of a disturbing 24\/7 \u201clow-frequency noise intrusion\u201d.<\/p>\n
Eerie videos from the US show what residents living near data centres in America are facing, as some reportedly emit a constant high-pitched droning noise at all times of the day.<\/p>\n
Three cities in the US are now even suing the AI companies behind the data centres in their backyards as the noise becomes unbearable.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
New York state this month passed a one-year moratorium on large data centres. At least four other areas in the US have brought in temporary bans on construction.<\/p>\n
However, as the power-hungry AI industry expands at a rapid rate, Australia is emerging as a hot destination for new centres, and Australians across the nation are pushing back against them.<\/p>\n
Australia currently has at least 162 operational data centres, with another 90 or more in the planning and development pipeline, with the vast majority heavily clustered along the eastern seaboard in Sydney and Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, a Sydney-based civil engineering and construction company, MAK Urban Group, was knocked back in its plans to erect a $4.8 million development in the heart of the Blue Mountains.<\/p>\n
MAK\u2019s application proposes the facility on a residential street in north Katoomba, a block from a school and bordering a park. It\u2019s about an eight-minute drive from one of Australia\u2019s most iconic sights, the Three Sisters mountains. The centre is expected to employ two to five members of staff.<\/p>\n
Furious residents started the Stop Data Centres Blue Mountains campaign, which described the development as a \u201cthreat to peace\u201d, citing 24\/7 low-frequency noise intrusion, concern for pressures on electricity and water supplies, potential PFAS exposure and insufficient bushfire protections.<\/p>\n
The concerns of a 24\/7 noise coming from the site would be a stark contrast to what residents experience now.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatoomba at night is genuinely quiet. The night-time Rating Background Level is just 25 dBA \u2013 an extremely quiet acoustic environment,\u201d the residents wrote in the petition. \u201cTheir own noise report modelled three different equipment scenarios. In every single one, low-frequency noise was still significantly above that background level at night. Even the \u2018best case\u2019 scenario \u2013 the one they\u2019re calling compliant \u2013 still produces low-frequency noise that the report says \u2018is likely to be audible.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cThe E4 General Industrial zone in the Blue Mountains must be interpreted in its local context: a World Heritage-adjacent city, with sensitive bushland, riparian corridors, quiet residential areas and serious bushfire risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not designed for energy-hungry digital infrastructure drawing 1\u20132 megawatts, generating constant mechanical noise from chillers, cooling towers and ventilation systems, and placing battery banks and diesel generators on Flame Zone land \u2014 infrastructure that runs continuously regardless of stated business hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Katoomba campaign is part of a growing national movement. Some 60,000 Aussies have signed separate petitions opposing data centre and AI infrastructure proposals.<\/p>\n
\u2018Diabolical idea\u2019<\/p>\n
On Friday, it was revealed the Blue Mountains campaign had been successful. MAK Urban Group general manager Mohammad Hammoud confirmed the developer would be withdrawing the application, for now at least.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe remain confident that data centre infrastructure can deliver significant economic, employment and digital connectivity benefits to regional communities,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, throughout the assessment process we have listened closely to the views expressed by local residents, community groups and other stakeholders \u2026 Rather than continue with the current application, we have chosen to step back and undertake further consideration of the proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blue Mountains City Mayor Mark Greenhill welcomed the call, saying it was a \u201cdiabolical idea\u201d for the only area in Australia that\u2019s a city within a World Heritage National Park.\u201cCouncil made its concerns clear, and the community made its concerns clear,\u201d Cr Greenhill said. \u201cThis was the wrong proposal in the wrong location.<\/p>\n
\u201cData centres are intensive developments. They place significant demands on power and water, and they can raise serious questions about noise, amenity, air quality, fire risk and environmental impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this case, those concerns were heightened by the site\u2019s proximity to homes, a public school and a nearby watercourse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Greenhill said the withdrawal showed the importance of community voices being heard through the planning process.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank the residents who took the time to engage with this issue and raise their concerns,\u201d Cr Greenhill said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Blue Mountains is a city within a World Heritage Area. Any development proposed here must be appropriate to its setting, respectful of nearby residents, and properly tested against the environmental and infrastructure constraints of our city.\u201d<\/p>\n
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into data centres is currently underway, with findings and recommendations yet to be released.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat inquiry reflects the fact that data centres raise complex issues for communities across NSW,\u201d Cr Greenhill said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil those issues are properly understood and addressed, a cautious approach is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAK is now revisiting the plans, saying the centre would be a \u201csignificantly reduced-scale, community-focused development \u2026 designed with its surroundings in mind\u201d. It said it would reduce the environmental impact through measures such as low-carbon construction materials and heat capture.<\/p>\n
AI giants spot data centre opportunity in Australia <\/p>\n
The call comes as AI behemoths look to build increasing numbers of centres in Australia due to its abundance of clean energy resources and stable society.<\/p>\n