{"id":812616,"date":"2026-07-20T17:07:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T17:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/812616\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T17:07:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T17:07:16","slug":"struggling-aussies-sidelined-as-new-industry-takes-over-suburbs-approved-faster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/812616\/","title":{"rendered":"Struggling Aussies sidelined as new industry takes over suburbs: ‘Approved faster’"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are calls to ensure land earmarked for new housing is not instead acquired by companies building\u00a0sprawling data centre projects<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Housing Industry Association says there have been several examples in NSW and Victoria of this occurring, including in Geelong’s northern growth corridor.<\/a><\/p>\n

Separately, its chief executive of industry and policy, Simon Croft, said instances of the sector being given “preferential planning treatment” need to be “called out”.<\/p>\n

While Croft doesn’t oppose the building of data centres, he said governments must not be distracted from the nation’s “biggest challenge \u2014 building more homes”.<\/p>\n

“While we have no objection to this type of development, housing should be afforded the same urgency,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Under fast-track planning mechanisms, it is entirely conceivable that a data centre spanning many hectares<\/a> could be approved faster than a single home.<\/p>\n

“Families looking for a home should not find themselves behind data centres in the queue for land, energy connections or essential infrastructure.”<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Many residents in West Footscray are frustrated by the ongoing expansion of the NextDC data centre.<\/p>\n

(Yahoo News Australia)Residents frustrated by noise created by data centres<\/p>\n

In May, Yahoo News met with residents living around the NextDC data centre in West Footscray.<\/a><\/p>\n

Many had believed the idle industrial buildings in the area would be turned into much-needed housing, but instead they’ve found themselves living metres away from a 10-hectare data centre.<\/p>\n

They complained of ongoing construction noise, concerns about diesel fumes, and a constant hum from its cooling units.<\/p>\n

HIA welcomes PM’s data centre announcement<\/p>\n

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a plan<\/a> to ensure the next generation of large-scale data centres are net generators of electricity rather than users.<\/p>\n

He said “\u200bclear rules \u200bfor large data centres” will be set by government about where they can be \u200bbuilt and the resources they use.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

HIA welcomed this announcement and said greater scrutiny of the industry’s electricity and water demands is needed.<\/p>\n

“Over recent decades, the cost of housing has been ratcheted up by successive changes to building and energy efficiency requirements, designed to reduce household water and energy consumption,” Croft said.<\/p>\n

“At the same time, a single large-scale data centre can consume resources equivalent to tens of thousands of homes.<\/p>\n

“Unless these impacts are properly managed and offset, there is a real risk that households will face even greater pressure to reduce consumption through additional costs and regulatory requirements.”<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n