THE City of Swan is calling for community feedback for a proposed three-storey data centre to be built at Hazelmere.

The city received an application to use Lots 14 and 15 Stirling Crescent, Hazelmere for the data centre and is seeking public consultation by Friday, March 20.

The three-storey facility will be 23.5m high with a floor area of 14,883sqm and a 2.4m high black galvanised steel fence running around the perimeter of the site.

Hazelmere resident Randal Swick said he was unhappy with the process and lack of time given by the city for community consultation.

“When I first checked the website link there was only limited information available and although there is now more detailed information there the cut off time for feedback is very short,” Mr Swick said.

“Residents need time to go through this information, to seek professional advice and to do research.

“This is not possible with such a short cut-off date.”

He said he was also concerned about where the water would come from for such a large facility, as data centres were notorious for their high water and energy use.

“Data centres generate a lot of heat through their exhaust stacks and therefore require extensive cooling,” Mr Swick said.

The data centre proposal follows the recent approval by the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (MODAP) to develop two other lots in Stirling Crescent for storage and transport depot purposes despite fierce community opposition as reported in Hazelmere lot applications approved by DAP.

Trillion Trees chief executive officer Mark Hullett said their organisation, which is also located in Stirling Crescent, had a range of concerns about the impacts of the development on the environment, local amenity, traffic, pollution and safety.

“This area of Hazelmere is currently rural and residential, with many established trees and the Helena River providing habitat for wildlife and canopy to cool our suburbs in a warming climate,” he said.

“There is also a wide range of threatened and protected wildlife including snake necked turtles and black cockatoos here that rely on the natural landscape for survival.”

He said the junction of Stirling Crescent and Amherst Road was narrow and located on the outside of an elbow.

“It is not possible for heavy vehicles servicing the data centre to safely navigate the junction without crossing the centre line, putting small vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists at grave risk.

“There is no footpath on this part of Stirling Crescent and the road is narrow, so any increase in traffic would also put our vulnerable volunteers and students from the Helena River Waldorf School at great risk as they walk or cycle.”

A Helena River Waldorf School spokesperson said they were particularly concerned about the proposal for numerous onsite generators.

“These generators may produce significant noise, emissions, and heavy vehicle movements during testing or operation.

“These are impacts that could affect the health, wellbeing, and learning environment of young children.”

He said that a facility of this scale and industrial nature sat very uneasily alongside a school environment, where children require calm, safe, and healthy surroundings in order to learn and develop.

“The City of Swan has treated the school with absolute disregard in terms of any of the recent planning applications,” the spokesperson said.

“There has been no consideration at all of the impact on the school and the children in our community,” he said.

To give feedback go to the associated Swan Engage page.