Guildford Association Inc

23/05/2026

AFTER overwhelming community opposition, the much-criticised Hazelmere data centre application has been withdrawn by Sydney-based data centre company GreenSquareDC.

Read the full story - https://echonewspaper.com.au/news/hazelmere-data-centre-application-withdrawn/

15/05/2026

✨✨We have just received written confirmation that the Data Centre application has now formerly been WITHDRAWN. ✨✨

We regret all the confusion created by the deletion of the Member for Hasluck's post. She has advised a "re post" will be up shortly. We can now relax - at least briefly. Thank you again for the wide community support this protest has enjoyed.
Christine Hughes

15/05/2026

✨✨EDIT - withdrawal of data centre now confirmed! See comments✨✨

‼️FURTHER UPDATE ON DATA CENTRE (DC) PROPOSAL ‼️

Yesterday as many of you will have read Tania Lawrence, the Member for Hasluck advised that following her representations to Greensquare, the DC applicants, she had been advised their application to DAP for approval would be withdrawn.

Late yesterday and without explanation, Ms Lawrence's post was deleted which has caused considerable anxiety about the true status of this proposal. We will attempt to get information confirming the position ASAP - however in the meantime as DAP deputation requests must be lodged by tomorrow morning, we would urge anyone considering helping in this way to err on the side of caution and get your request in today. The battle is not yet won and we should leave no stone unturned in our fight to stop this completely unacceptable use on that site.
Christine Hughes
Chairperson

14/05/2026

HUGE AND RARE WIN FOR COMMUNITY!!

Rejecting this massive data centre took a massive community effort. 💪🏼💪🏼
Thanks to the 1829 people who sent in objections, those who rallied and contacted politicians.
Well done to all! 👏👏👏
Brilliant outcome for the school next door, the riverine environment, the cultural heritage sites, local residents and future plans for restoring the river.
Let’s hope we see no more applications for data centres in inappropriate locations.

This is a win for our community.

Over the last few months, many concerned members of our community contacted me about the proposed data centre in Hazelmere.

They raised environmental concerns, particularly water use and noise pollution emanating from the data centre and its impact on the river precinct, local residents and students at the Helena River Waldorf School.

I engaged the City of Swan, WA State Ministers for Water, Energy, and Environment, outlining the concerns of my constituents.

I wrote to members of our community encouraging them to engage with the City of Swan’s consultation process.

The proponent's advice to me that they are withdrawing its application is welcome.

This is a significant win for our community.

Securing data centres and AI infrastructure will strengthen our security, support our startups and researchers. It must however be done sustainably and underpinned by a strong social licence.

10/05/2026

UPDATE on Hazelmere Data Centre Proposal

This development is set for determination by the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (MODAP) on Tuesday 19 May 2026 commencing 9.30am at the City of Swan Council Chambers at Midland Town Hall, with public seating being restricted to 60 people.

As many of you know, this and similar applications are no longer determined by elected councillors – despite the fact we purportedly live in a representative democracy – and the local response is formally provided by the Manager of Statutory Planning at City of Swan. His Responsible Authority Report (RAR) was released on Friday. A link to the full document can be found at;

https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/docs/default-source/daps/agenda---no-141---city-of-swan.pdf?sfvrsn=d3b6d18e_1

Some of the significant issues raised include;

1. 1829 submissions of objection were lodged, the highest ever received by C of S.

2. The RAR recommends refusal of the application, however, this is limited to refusal on the grounds of unacceptable adverse impact of high and constant noise from power generators on site. The C of S was either unpersuaded by, or as it acknowledged in some areas, unable to competently address some concerns raised by the proposal.

While the recommendation of refusal is welcomed, its limit to noise may well be something the applicant can purport to overcome, so we cannot be confident DAP or an appeal would support the refusal.

3. The glaring issue is power demand and the installation of 88 diesel generators (with fuel storage and delivery frequency etc unresolved) with the applicant asserting “power outages resulting in reliance on generators being rare” and “its intention to contemplate a new substation on site in the future” and “it may attempt to purchase renewable sources of power namely wind and solar”.

A lot of wing and prayer in those suggestions of mitigation!

4. Given the Federal and State Governments’ commitment to a reduction in carbon emissions, and fast tracking renewables to meet sustainability targets, it is incomprehensible that you would approve a new development inherently contradictory to those objectives.

5. Impact on the environment/wildlife/the river remains largely unchallenged, and potential bushfire risks largely managed by reduction of vegetation is at odds with Perth’s desperate need to restore canopy cover to the metropolitan area.

6. The applicant asserts this “State of the Art IT facility” will provide significant local benefit, jobs, and make us “…an attractive and accommodating destination for investment”. Frankly it could be sited anywhere in the world and do that: (with a guaranteed power supply) – that’s the nature of the Cloud. This necessary facility should be sited on already cleared land, large enough to supply its own renewable energy sources – given its expected life of some 50 years it would be madness to approve something reliant on diesel generators, or on site electricity sub-stations in the future.

Finally, congratulations to the community for such committed action to reject this proposal alongside a school, a river and on land of heritage significance to First Nations Peoples.

The DAP hearing does permit deputations of up to 3 minutes per person and we would urge you to consider having your say on whatever part of the proposal you wish to comment on. The DAP deputation form needs to be completed and lodged by 16 May 2026 – and can be just dot points. The form can be found a -

https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/docs/default-source/daps-docs-website/deputation-request-form.docx?sfvrsn=35918ddd_46

- and should be emailed to DAP at [email protected]

Your attendance at the hearing would be really valued.

Christine Hughes
Chairperson

08/05/2026

Former Labor MP and current GA executive member Matt Hughes speaks out on the proposed Hazelmere data centre.

05/05/2026

Echo Newspaper story about the plans for the historic Guildford Post Office. To be decided by Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (MODAP).
See plans on Swan Engage and make submission by May 11, 2026.
https://swanengage.swan.wa.gov.au/da-4042026-restaurant-guildford-post-office

03/05/2026

The proposed data centre in Hazelmere is amongst those included in this report on the impact of these facilities on communities.

Residents say massive, noisy AI factories with unknown environmental impacts are being rushed into development right next to their homes

02/05/2026

Thanks to all those who attended or took part in last week’s ANZAC service in Stirling Square. Twelve-year-old Elijah, together with GA member Samantha, lay wreaths on behalf of the GA. Thanks to the Eastern Regional RSL Sub Branch - Bassendean and St Matthews Guildford WA and singer Josephine Ellis for leading us in the NZ and Australian National Anthems. And a special thanks to the Swan Guildford Historical Society Inc - SGHS for their continuing tradition of a marvellous morning tea.

Lest We Forget.

10/12/2025

INVITATION
🎄Christmas function and opportunity to learn more about the City of Swan’s proposed tree protection policy.