Community opposes proposed data centre near dark sky reserve

A tight-knit regional community fears its rolling hill landscape and dark sky reputation are at risk of being tarnished if a proposed hyper-scale data centre goes ahead. 

Melbourne-based developer Quantum DC wants to develop the Tungkillo Compute and Energy Hub on a 220-hectare parcel of land at Tungkillo, about 55 kilometres east of Adelaide.

Tungkillo is a small town just within the borders of the Australian-first River Murray Dark Sky Reserve, an internationally accredited area protected from light pollution.

Resident Magdalene Lippett said locals were worried the planned 1,200-megawatt development would infringe on the beauty of the area and its unique dark sky feature. 

"When you go out on a fine night, it feels like you could reach up into the skies and pull down a star if you wanted to," she said.

"It's so clear and beautiful out here, and we really want to protect that."

Mid Murray Council Mayor Simone Bailey said she shared some concerns about the proposed location, but was waiting until a community session, being held later this week, before forming an official stance on the project. 

"I have concerns, particularly about the location, but it would be irresponsible of me to make a judgement without knowing everything," she said.

Quantum DC said it chose the Tungkillo site due to its proximity to existing energy infrastructure and other renewable energy projects under construction.

When asked to clarify the exact location, a company spokesperson told the ABC it was positioned more than 5 kilometres outside the dark sky reserve.

Consultation before formal application

The state government said it had not yet received any formal development application or documentation for a data centre at Tungkillo.

A spokesperson said this would be required before any planning and development processes could proceed. 

"These processes require a proponent to demonstrate how it would manage energy, water, cooling and any impact on surrounding areas," the spokesperson said.

Quantum DC chief executive Alby Tomassi said the company wanted to consult locally through two community drop-in sessions before submitting a formal application. 

"We must understand the concerns of the community, how we can be of benefit, and how we coexist with the community for the next 30 years and beyond," he said. 

"Specialist studies on traffic, noise, air quality, lighting, water, flora and fauna, Aboriginal heritage and bushfire are underway to identify measures to avoid, minimise or manage potential impacts. 

"Their findings will inform the final design and will be publicly available with the application." 

For Ms Lippett, the impacts of noise and light were central to her concerns. 

"[Our area] is rolling valleys and hills and you can hear generators starting three hills across on any given day," she said. 

"The sound from these things would travel. We are worried about the sound coming into our homes, disturbing our animals."

Quantum DC said the hub would be a significant piece of digital energy infrastructure for South Australia if approved and would create hundreds of jobs during construction and ongoing operation.