新加坡支持的开发商Zerra DC计划在澳大利亚维州墨尔本坎贝尔菲尔德前福特汽车工厂旧址建设耗资11亿澳元的数据中心园区，占地22公顷[1]。该项目通过政府快速追踪程序绕过了地方议会的审批流程[1]。满容运营时将需要336兆瓦电力，相当于墨尔本全部55个数据中心的总能耗[1]。
项目分阶段推进，第一阶段距离住宅区650米，但后期阶段将该距离缩至260至290米[1]。为支撑运营，项目第一阶段需储存100万升柴油，完全建成后总计将储存700万升[1]。此外还将配备294个屋顶冷却机，其中44个在第一阶段，250个在后续阶段[1]。尽管规模庞大，项目完工后仅需255名员工，而福特工厂历史高峰期曾雇用5200人[1]。
居民因信息不透明而提出质疑。当地居民Anastasia Drapaniotis于7月24日收到项目通知，距离7月28日的最后评议期限仅有4天[1]。Hume议会计划在周一晚考虑动议，要求对该数据中心批准实施暂停[1]。坎贝尔菲尔德及周边地区失业率超过10%，为州平均水平的两倍[1]。规划部长Sonya Kilkenny可在7月28日之后批准该申请[1]。
A Singapore-backed developer, Zerra DC, has submitted plans for a $1.1 billion data centre precinct on the site of a former Ford automotive factory in Campbellfield, Melbourne, using a government fast-track approval process that bypasses local council review.[1] The 22-hectare facility would require 336 megawatts of electricity at full capacity—equivalent to the combined power consumption of all 55 data centres currently operating across Melbourne.[1]
The project has prompted significant concern among nearby residents over proposed diesel storage, noise, and heat effects. The first phase of development would be situated 650 metres from homes, but later stages would narrow this distance to between 260 and 290 metres.[1] While the initial phase requires storage for one million litres of diesel, the full project would eventually need seven million litres in total.[1] The facility would employ only 255 workers upon completion, contrasting sharply with the Ford factory's historical peak of 5,200 employees.[1]
Resident Anastasia Drapaniotis received notification of the proposal on July 24, leaving only four days before the July 28 submission deadline.[1] The Hume Council is scheduled to consider a motion on Monday evening requesting a pause on approval of the new data centre.[1] The Campbellfield area and surrounds face unemployment rates exceeding 10 percent, double the state average.[1] Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny may approve the application after July 28.[1]