Macquarie Data Centres, part of ASX-listed Macquarie Technology Group, has exercised its option to purchase a light industrial zoned development site with an area of about 34,200 square meters between Talavera Road and the M2 motorway, Macquarie Park for A$240 million.
Completion of the purchase is subject to standard settlement procedures and is expected to occur over the coming weeks.
Macquarie Data Centres intends to construct an engineering and technology campus co-located within a ~200MW data centre campus in Macquarie Park, in Sydney’s North Zone (AZ1).
The company’s designs are subject to obtaining planning and other approvals, and will be refined based on customer requirements, power approvals.
The intention is that the proposed facility’s design incorporates advanced air-cooling, closed-loop technology for its primary heat rejection, minimising operational water consumption, while also being designed to support high-density direct-to-chip liquid and air cooling within the data halls.
The new campus will support research, technology and learning opportunities in conjunction with Macquarie University.
The company intends to continue its successful campus-style approach with initial construction estimated to be completed in late calendar year 2029, subject to planning and other approvals.
The campus will build on Macquarie Technology Group’s recently announced partnership with Macquarie University and will provide practical, hands-on opportunities for students and researchers to utilise the latest data centre, cyber security, AI, and cloud technologies at the new Macquarie Park campus. This will create pathways for students and academics to have direct experience in technology and engineering in collaboration with industry.
The campus sits within a dedicated high-tech industrial zone, in one of Sydney’s most fibre-rich technology corridors in Macquarie Park, Australia’s Silicon Valley.
With the campus in its design stage, there is opportunity for existing and prospective customers to collaborate early on to potentially incorporate their design specifications.
Macquarie is planning to provide significant community benefits to the local area through the proposed creation of a more than one-acre sized park, within the campus by converting part of the neglected industrial site (subject to obtaining the requisite approvals).
The multi-generational park is intended to include recreational and community-use areas, designed to bring together different generations of families and friends. It is also proposed to feature a large community garden for City of Ryde residents.
In addition, the proposed new park is intended to have a new outdoor art gallery designed to showcase the creative talent of the local community, Macquarie University students and faculty, history of the local community and connection to the country.
“Alongside the 200MW of Australian-owned and operated data centre this will deliver to Sydney’s north zone, the proposed campus will also deliver lasting benefit to the local community,” said David Hirst, CEO of Macquarie Data Centres
“In partnership with Macquarie University, students and researchers will gain hands-on access to the latest data centre, cyber security and cloud technologies. It will also provide a more than one-acre sized intergenerational community park for City of Ryde residents,” said Hirst.
