CDC Data Centres (CDC) is reassessing its plans for a potentially 576MW data centre campus in Canberra after the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna rejected an assessment pathway for the proposed development. CDC has confirmed that its proposed Hume Campus 3 remains under development, but said the project is still at an early stage and that its design will be refined as planning and environmental work continues.
“CDC is exploring opportunities to support the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the ACT,” a CDC spokesperson told W.Media. “Planning and assessment work is ongoing and the project you refer to remains at an early stage.”
“As with any development proposal, a range of technical, environmental and planning matters are being considered as part of the development process. Project details will continue to be refined as this work progresses,” said the spokesperson. “CDC is committed to working constructively with relevant stakeholders and government agencies throughout the planning process. Any future proposal would be subject to the applicable planning and assessment requirements.”
The comments follow the rejection of an Environmental Significance Opinion application for the proposed Hume Campus 3 by the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna.
The application covered a proposal for four data centre buildings containing 24 data halls, with preliminary plans indicating a combined capacity of 576MW. The development would also require emergency generators, a future substation and associated water, sewer and access infrastructure.
Big Canberra expansion
At 576MW, the proposed campus would represent a major increase in the scale of CDC’s Canberra operations. CDC’s website describes its Canberra portfolio as having more than 250MW of capacity. Its itemised campus figures are 21MW at Hume Campus One, 51MW at Hume Campus Two and 45MW at Fyshwick, all operating, plus 39MW at the Beard campus, which is under construction.
Adding Beard 2, which has received conditional approval for 84MW, brings the itemised total to 240MW. On those figures, Hume Campus 3 would be more than double CDC’s combined Canberra footprint, and on its own larger than all of it.
The Conservator determined that the proposal was likely to have a significant environmental impact and rejected the ESO application. A major issue was the proposed clearance of the approximately 12-hectare site, including all 30 trees, 27 of which were identified as mature native trees. The Conservator said most of the trees contained hollows providing important habitat for threatened bird species.
The decision also identified potential impacts on grassland reptile habitat and said the development should be considered through a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement process. It recommended a referral under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Reduced footprint
Importantly for the future of the project, the Conservator said CDC should be prepared for a “reduced development footprint and/or scope of works” if it chose to continue. The recommendations included retaining a large majority of the mature native trees and assessing tree hollows for their suitability as nesting sites for Gang-gang cockatoos and superb parrots.
Timing could also be affected by the Eastern Broadacre Strategic Assessment (EBSA), which covers the site and identifies it as a development area. The final draft is scheduled to be resubmitted to the Commonwealth in 2026/27. The Conservator said that if CDC submits an EIS before the EBSA is finalised, a suitable offset would be required and would need to be included in the EIS for consideration. If CDC waits until the EBSA is finalised, the final designs and land use would need to be consistent with it.
Not rejected
The environmental decision does not, however, amount to a final rejection of the data centre project itself. CDC’s response indicates that it is continuing to examine options for the site while not confirming that the original 576MW design will proceed.
Separately, the ACT Heritage Council advised the Territory Planning Authority that the proposal was unlikely to have a significant adverse environmental impact, subject to conditions. The Council found the proposed development justifiable from a cultural heritage perspective, subject to further heritage requirements, including additional work relating to a previously recorded Aboriginal site.
The ACT Government is also developing a new framework for data centres, covering issues including planning, infrastructure and sustainability. CDC publicly welcomed the framework in August, saying clearer rules would provide greater certainty for industry, communities and investors.
CDC’s current Canberra portfolio does not list Hume Campus 3 as an operational or construction-stage facility. The Hume proposal therefore represents a potentially significant rethink for one of Canberra’s largest prospective data centre developments.