Hazelmere, Western Australia

A data centre is a building that houses powerful computers called servers. These servers store, process and manage the digital information behind everyday services, including online banking, shopping, government services and emergency systems.

CDC only builds in areas that are already zoned for industrial or similar use: we don't build in residential neighbourhoods.

We choose locations based on several practical factors:

• Access to major power infrastructure
• Availability of high-speed internet connections
• Appropriate zoning under local and state planning rules
• Ability to employ local workforce
• Ability to use local businesses in the supply chain
• Ability to partner with local TAFE and vocational education providers for building future workforce
• Ability to be a good neighbour to surrounding properties

We have selected the site within the established industrial precinct off Bushmead Road as it complements the existing industrial land uses. It also provides access to the infrastructure needed to support construction and operation. 

Locating the facility within an industrial area, on land already owned by CDC, helps minimise potential impacts on surrounding communities and the environment while making efficient use of existing services and transport connections.

We know that what a building looks like matters to neighbours, and we take this seriously.

CDC data centres are designed to be good-looking, long-lasting neighbours. Here's what that means in practice:

• Quality materials: We use materials that look good and age well over time - these facilities are built to last 50+ years
• Landscaping: We plant trees and native vegetation around our sites to soften the visual impact and blend with the local environment
• Professional design: We work with qualified architects and urban designers to make sure each facility fits its local context
• Visual amenity: our buildings are designed to blend into the surrounding landscape and enhance it, while remaining relatively discreet. We don’t use striking colours, lighting or other “branding” elements.

The Hazelmere data centre will be a purpose-designed, long-term facility that combines high-quality materials, thoughtful landscaping and modern infrastructure to create a secure and functional site.

It will consist of two new four-storey buildings that will house critical data and technology systems. The data centre will also include supporting infrastructure such as backup generators, cooling systems and other essential services required to maintain reliable operations. In addition, the site will have on-site car parking and office facilities to support day-to-day operations and management of the data centre.

An artist’s impression of the Hazelmere data centre is provided under the project resources section below.

While some aspects of the design are established, we welcome feedback from the community to help inform future stages of design development and ensure local views continue to be reflected.

Before we build, we work with planning authorities and community members on how the building looks. We want our facilities to be something the community can be comfortable with, and proud of.

CDC facilities create jobs during both construction and ongoing operations.

• During construction: A typical CDC facility provides work for hundreds of tradespeople and construction workers over the building period.
• Ongoing operations: Once running, our facilities employ people in roles including trades, facility maintenance, security, engineering, and IT services. These are long-term, skilled positions.
• Local spending: CDC is committed to using local suppliers and contractors where available. We also bring ongoing economic activity to the area through things like accommodation, catering, and professional services.

According to economic modelling commissioned by CDC, the entire Hazelmere campus would support approximately: 

• 425 jobs across the WA supply chain throughout its construction.
• 220 ongoing jobs in WA when the campus is fully operational.
• $270 million of value added across the WA economy during construction.
• $55 million/year of value added to the WA economy once the campus is fully operational.

CDC is actively recruiting people for well-paid and secure jobs for our data centre operations. Our preference is to always employ people who are local members of the communities to our data centres.

If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in a career with CDC visit Careers

We understand that noise can be an important consideration for communities and have made it a key focus in the design of the proposed Hazelmere data centre.

We have carefully thought through the site layout and located noise-generating equipment away from the any residential areas. We have also incorporated smart acoustic design measures to minimise potential impacts. As a result, noise generated from the facility once operational, is expected to be comparable to typical suburban background noise levels for the closest residents on Mary Street.

To develop our sites and receive necessary approvals, CDC must meet stringent noise management standards and we usually go well beyond that.

We have taken deliberate steps to ensure the Hazelmere community is protected from noise by installing acoustic treatments to reduce remaining noise significantly. In practice this means that any noise from the site will be comparable to normal residential night-time background noise.

We will continue to meet all relevant statutory noise requirements. Ongoing monitoring and management measures will ensure noise levels remain within approved limits and that the facility continues to operate responsibly within the local community.

CDC is required to have traffic management plans approved as part of our consenting process.

During construction, people and vehicle movements will increase. This will be managed through traffic plans, set routes and safety controls. 

Once operational, traffic to our sites is comparatively low relative to other industrial uses.

Once operational, the Hazelmere data centre will primarily use electricity to power its critical digital infrastructure.

Most of the electricity in a data centre goes to our customers to keep the digital services we all rely on running safely and reliably - things like banking, healthcare, government services, emergency systems, and everyday online tools.

A small amount of electricity is used to keep our security, cooling and control systems online.

CDC’s approach is to use electricity as efficiently as possible, while matching electricity used for our operations with renewable energy.

The Hazelmere site has been designed to accommodate future energy needs, including space for a new electricity substation. Proposed upgrades and energy usage will be paid for by CDC and will help to maintain the reliability of the local network. Through a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy, CDC is working towards its commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030.

Just like hospitals, airports, and emergency services, our data centres are equipped with emergency stand-by diesel generators. 

Because our generators run so infrequently, emissions are minimal. We comply with all regulatory air quality requirements, and our generator systems are designed to minimise both noise and emissions.

These generators are not used to power our facilities day-to-day. They are our emergency backup, a safety net to make sure the critical services our customers run (like banking and healthcare systems, emergency and government services) stay online if there's ever a power outage.

We test our generators periodically to make sure they work when needed (this is required by law for critical infrastructure). Given the energy grid is reliable, actual emergency use is uncommon and brief.

CDC connects to the grid at a transmission level and does not interact with the local grid that powers homes and businesses.

In order to connect to the transmission, we pay for and build our own dedicated infrastructure that we then share with the grid operators. We only connect to the grid where there is enough spare capacity so we don’t compete with other users for power.

Once connected, our electricity use is very steady and predictable, unlike other industrial operations that have big spikes in demand. This actually helps the electricity grid remain stable and can lower prices for consumers as we cover a large portion of the existing infrastructure costs.

• CDC pays for all our own electricity infrastructure - including any upgrades needed to connect to the grid. We don't pass these costs on to local households or businesses.
• Our predictable energy use helps network operators plan better and invest more efficiently.
• The fixed costs of running the electricity network get spread across more users, and CDC covers a large portion of that, which may mean lower charges per household.

We work closely with energy regulators and network operators to make sure our connections benefit, rather than burden, the communities where we operate.

You may have read that data centres can use very large amounts of water. This is true for many facilities around the world.

CDC's technology is fundamentally different to the average data centre. Our cooling system is a sealed, closed-loop system. We fill it once when we build the facility and then recirculate it continuously for the life of the data centre. We don't draw water from local supplies on an ongoing basis.

This is different to many data centres that use water to cool their equipment, evaporating it in very large quantities and continuously drawing from local supplies.

The Hazelmere data centre has been designed to minimise water use using this technology. 

Beyond cooling, water use at the Hazelmere data centre will be limited to everyday purposes such as amenities, landscaping and building management, with much of this demand being met through rainwater collected onsite.

We believe in being open, transparent and connected with the communities in which we operate. We will listen to local feedback, share updates on progress and work collaboratively with the Hazelmere community as the project develops.

We are also committed to supporting stronger communities through partnerships with local organisations that make a meaningful difference. We have a history of supporting local initiatives and community groups, including recently partnering with Mission Australia’s Wattle House in Maddington to provide emergency relief for those experiencing homelessness.

We look forward to working with the Hazelmere community to identify future opportunities that support local priorities.

The Hazelmere data centre will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Data centre facilities require continuous operation to ensure uninterrupted digital infrastructure services. The site will maintain round-the-clock operational capability, including security, monitoring and essential facility management functions.

While the facility will operate continuously, staffing will vary throughout the day. Most activity will occur during standard business hours, and overnight operations will be limited to essential personnel. Vehicle movements will also generally occur during daytime hours, with after-hours access managed and limited to essential maintenance or emergency activities.

The 24/7 operating model is consistent with the role of the Hazelmere industrial precinct and the important role data centres play in supporting the digital economy.

We want to hear from the Hazelmere community. 

We recognise that a new data centre can raise questions about what the project will mean for the local area. We’re committed to providing clear information, listening to local perspectives and keeping the community informed as the project progresses.

There are a number of ways to learn more about the project, ask questions and provide feedback.

We will soon be out in the community, meeting with local stakeholders and hosting a series of information sessions. 

We will post information about those sessions here.

You can also have your say through the planning process. 

CDC will soon lodge a Development Application for the project, which will then be assessed through the State’s independent Development Assessment Panel process. As part of this process, the community will soon have an opportunity to review technical documents, learn more about the project and provide formal feedback during the public comment period.

We will share information about the public comment period, including dates and how to make a submission, when the comment period opens.

You don't need to wait to get in touch. If you have a question or would like to talk to us about the project, you can contact the project team at any time via hazelmere@cdc.com

We welcome questions, feedback and perspectives from the Hazelmere community as the project progresses.

CDC Hazelmere Community Update September 2026