In brief
Goodman Group withdrew its Project Mars data‑centre application after receiving an unprecedented 374 submissions, most of them opposing the plan. The 90‑MW facility would have been built just 20 metres from homes in Lane Cove, sparking fears of water and energy strain. Residents, along with the Lane Cove Responsible Planning Group, rallied with banners and social‑media campaigns, forcing the developer to reconsider. The cancellation marks a victory for community activism and may prompt developers to secure better sites before pitching proposals.
Goodman Group’s planned A$1.2bn data‑centre in Sydney’s Lane Cove has been shelved after a massive community backlash.
The 90‑megawatt Project Mars would have been constructed just 20 metres from residents’ homes, raising serious concerns about water and energy demand. Since the planning process began in March 2025, the company received 374 submissions during a public consultation, yet only nine were supportive.
Local activists, backed by the Lane Cove Responsible Planning Group, mounted a vigorous protest campaign, with sign‑board displays such as the "No Goodman Data Centre" banner outside a household. The NSW government’s new fast‑track approval programme for data centres—with stricter water and energy thresholds—further prompted Goodman to withdraw its application in a letter to the department.
"This is a common‑sense win for our community," said Anthony Roberts, MP for Lane Cove, on the organisation’s Facebook page. The decision represents a notable victory for residents and may force future developers to secure better sites before submission.
For more on the broader impact of AI data centres in Australia, see "AI data centres are booming in Australia – but at what cost?"
