Canberra Data Centre proposes $15b project in Gregadoo

Canberra Data Centre (CDC) CEO Greg Boorer has defended a proposed $15 billion data centre project in Gregadoo, describing it as a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for Wagga Wagga and the Riverina region.

The massive development would consist of a 63-hectare campus featuring four buildings designed to store and process data. The facility is expected to have a significant electricity demand of approximately 1.4 gigawatts. Boorer noted that the site was selected due to its status as a major energy precinct with access to high-voltage transmission lines and nearby renewable energy and battery initiatives.

The proposal has met with local opposition, resulting in two petitions being launched within 24 hours of its announcement. Residents have raised concerns regarding fire risks, noise, water usage, and the potential strain on the electricity grid. Some community members have argued that the project is better suited for an industrial precinct like Bomen rather than a rural area. In response to noise concerns, Boorer stated that the facilities operate quietly, comparing the acoustic impact to that of a library.