Laverton

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

CDC’s Laverton campus is located on Leakes Road, Laverton North, within an established industrial area in Melbourne’s west. The location is well suited to large-scale digital infrastructure, with access to the services, connectivity and transport networks needed to support the campus. Locating the development within an established industrial precinct also helps minimise potential impacts on surrounding residential communities.

Every CDC development goes through a full planning assessment, including opportunities for community members to have their say.

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 Laverton data centre campus is a purpose-designed, long-term facility that combines modern infrastructure with landscaping and site treatments to create a secure, functional and aesthetically pleasing facility within the established industrial precinct.

The campus is being developed in stages and will comprise multiple data centre buildings housing critical data and technology systems. The site will also include the supporting infrastructure required for secure and reliable operations, including cooling systems, backup power and other essential services. 

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.

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.

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 to our data centres.

If you or someone you know are interested in a career with CDC, please visit Careers

We understand that noise can be an important consideration for communities and have made it a key focus in the design development process to date.

The site layout has been carefully configured to locate noise-generating equipment away from the nearest 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.

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 increase. This is 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, CDC's Laverton data centre will 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. Through a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy, CDC is working towards its commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030.

CDC will pay for all proposed energy connections, upgrades and usage.

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.

We need to test our generators periodically to make sure they work as intended. This is required by law for critical infrastructure. Actual emergency use is uncommon and brief.

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

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.

All proposed upgrades and energy usage will be paid for by CDC.

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.

CDC's Laverton data centre has been designed to minimise water use using this technology. 

Beyond cooling, water use at the Laverton 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 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.

Once operational, CDC's Laverton 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 activity in the industrial precinct and the important role data centres play in supporting the digital economy.

We want to hear from the Laverton 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. 

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 community@cdc.com.