Blue Mountains City Council has welcomed the withdrawal of an application for a proposed data centre application in Katoomba.
The Council said the proposal generated significant community concern, with residents raising serious issues about the suitability of a large-scale data centre in the location at 41 Barton Street.
Mayor, Mark Greenhill said the withdrawal decision by the applicant was a “sensible outcome”.
“Council made its concerns clear, and the community made its concerns clear,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“This was the wrong proposal in the wrong location.
“Data centres are intensive developments. They place significant demands on power and water, and they can raise serious questions about noise, amenity, air quality, fire risk and environmental impact.
“In this case, those concerns were heightened by the site’s proximity to homes, a public school and a nearby watercourse.”
Mayor Greenhill said the withdrawal showed the importance of community voices being heard through the planning process.
“I want to thank the residents who took the time to engage with this issue and raise their concerns,” he said.
“The Blue Mountains is a city within a World Heritage Area. Any development proposed here must be appropriate to its setting, respectful of nearby residents, and properly tested against the environmental and infrastructure constraints of our city.”
Council also noted that a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into data centres is currently underway, with findings and recommendations yet to be released.
“That inquiry reflects the fact that data centres raise complex issues for communities across NSW,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“Until those issues are properly understood and addressed, a cautious approach is needed.”
The Mayor said the Council will continue to advocate for planning decisions that protect the environment, local amenity and the interests of the Blue Mountains community.
