We have received a planning permit application for a proposed data centre at 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Clyde North. This is the first planning permit application of this kind received by the City of Casey.
The site is located in the Urban Growth Zone, an area identified by the Victorian Government for future growth and development.
Our Planning Officers are currently reviewing the information provided in the application, and we have requested additional information. We are also seeking information from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and water and power authorities.
We recognise that this proposal is of significant interest to our community. Council is committed to ensuring the application is thoroughly assessed in accordance with Victorian planning legislation and policy, with the best interests of our community at the forefront of the process.
Councillors will be briefed on the application in the coming weeks, and Council will provide further information to the community as the assessment progresses as soon as we can.
Under the planning rules (UGZ provisions) that apply to this land, the application is exempt from standard notice requirements and third-party appeal rights. These requirements are set by the State planning framework rather than Council and have been established to support planning in growth areas.
Statement from City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen:
“We understand there is strong community interest in this proposal and recognise that many residents have questions about what it could mean for our community.
“At this stage, Councillors have not been asked to make a decision on the application, and it would be inappropriate to form a view before all relevant information has been received.
“Councillors will shortly be briefed on the proposal and the planning process, including the next steps.
“We are committed to ensuring a thorough, fair and transparent process that considers the impacts of this significant proposal and the best interests of our community.
“Data centres are a relatively new and rapidly growing land use, and councils across Australia are increasingly being asked to assess these proposals. We strongly support greater policy guidance from State and Federal governments to help ensure a consistent approach to assessing data centres and to provide greater certainty for communities, applicants and decision-makers alike.”