The Coast’s evolution into a digital and commercial hub looks set to continue after a proposal was submitted to develop a major new data centre facility.
Technology infrastructure company NEXTDC Limited has submitted plans for a five-level facility that would accommodate data halls and ancillary offices, breakout spaces, front-of-house facilities and standby power generators.
The proposed development at 10 South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore, would adjoin the existing NEXTDC data centre facility, known as SC1, and be co-located with the international submarine cable landing station.
The application was lodged with Economic Development Queensland because the 3711sqm site is within the Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area.
A town planning report by Ethos Urban on behalf of NEXTDC says the new facility, to be known as SC2, would benefit from the submarine cable.
“The cable places the Sunshine Coast on the international business map as a leading investment destination for commerce and industry for the world’s biggest data users and those looking for a location with superior telecommunications and data infrastructure,” it says.
“The proposed data centre is an important next step in helping to realise this ambition and providing the critical infrastructure that is required to meet the growing demands of the rapidly growing city centre and economic growth within an increasingly digital world.”
The report says data centres are the newest form of critical infrastructure for modern-day economies that rely on digital connectivity, speed and security.
“Data centres are on a rapid growth trajectory as demand continues to surge, initiated by companies migrating data storage from on-premises to the cloud, and further propelled by advances in cloud computing and the meteoric rise of AI,” it says.
The proposal includes provision for 20 car parking spaces.
The report says the design of the building, which would reach 26.22m, would be “contextually responsive” and act as a transition between the taller developments of the city centre and the low-rise residential buildings to the east.
“The building’s height provides a sensitive and responsive transition from the lots along Maud Street, which have a reduced building height allowance, to increased building heights of anticipated and existing developments, such as the Corso Residences to the west and the rest of the PDA,” it states.
Related story: Coast selected for new subsea cable landing point
NEXTDC is an ASX 100-listed technology company based in Brisbane and has 13 data centres across Australia.
The application is for a development permit for material change of use for a research and technology industry with ancillary uses.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
