Australian firm drops US$842 million Sydney data centre plan after public fury

Goodman Group, an Australian industrial property developer, scrapped its $1.2bn Project Mars data center plan in Lane Cove, Sydney, citing evolving federal and state policies and significant community opposition. The project, proposed in March 2025, aimed for a 90-megawatt facility near residential areas and within 160 meters of a school. In August, the NSW government introduced a "fast-track" framework to assess data center applications within 75 days if they meet certain principles, including minimal environmental impact and community costs. However, growing public concerns over noise pollution, energy consumption, and proximity to residential areas led to 374 public submissions, with only nine in favor of the project. Following these developments and community feedback, Goodman decided not to proceed with the development application due to regulatory changes and local resistance.