Plans for a proposed AI data centre at the former Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri smelter site have taken a step forward.
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has issued the project’s Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) after receiving a scoping report for the proposed Kurri Kurri Data Centre.
The report was lodged by planning consultancy ADW Johnson Pty Ltd.
The proposed development would be built on Hart Road, Loxford, and operate as a 540-megawatt data centre supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services.
As the proposal is being assessed as State Significant Development, the proponent must now prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The EIS will assess potential impacts including traffic, noise, flooding, biodiversity and visual amenity before a development application is placed on public exhibition.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said he had heard from many residents about the proposal.
“I’ve had plenty of local residents contact me about plans for a huge AI data centre at Kurri,” he said.
“The final plans are still being worked through, but a concept image has now been released.”
Mr Repacholi said the project would also require upgrades to nearby road infrastructure.
“The project would also require the construction and practical completion of north-facing ramps at the Hunter Expressway and Hart Road Interchange,” he said.
“Because this will be assessed as a State Significant Development, locals will have the opportunity to have their say through the NSW Planning Portal.
“I’ll keep the community updated and share the details as soon as submissions open.”
According to the scoping report, the development would include a two-storey data centre with a gross floor area of about 44,220 square metres.
The site would also include two substations, a switchyard, backup generators, cooling infrastructure and 160 parking spaces.
The project is expected to create about 500 jobs during construction and 250 ongoing full-time jobs once operational.
Construction is expected to take about 14 months.
The proposal forms part of the broader redevelopment of the former Hydro Aluminium site, which has been earmarked for future industrial and employment uses following remediation.
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