Residents are raising concerns over huge new power poles being installed across Melbourne’s west, saying the works began without any warning and have sparked fears they are connected to a nearby data centre.
A West Footscray resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told Yahoo News Australia he only discovered another pole was planned outside his home after approaching workers who had begun digging near his property.
He said the only prior notice he received was about a planned power outage, rather than the changes to the street.
“The notice was about the outage and not to notify any significant changes. There was no reference to the change of poles,” he said.
He fears they could be linked to the huge NEXTDC M3 data centre.
City of Maribyrnong Mayor Mohamed Semra said council shared residents’ concerns about the works across West Footscray, Yarraville and Tottenham.
He revealed while the infrastructure did not require a planning permit, required consent to undertake works within the road reserve was not obtained.
“We’re disappointed this occurred and are seeking advice about what options are now available to us,” Semra said.
Semra said council had received concerns about large new poles, infrastructure being installed close to homes and impacts on trees, nature strips, parking, traffic, footpaths and shared paths.
“Like many residents, council is not satisfied,” he said.
“We’re disappointed with the way some of the works have proceeded and the impact they are having on residents and our public spaces.”
The electricity network upgrades are being carried out by Zinfra on behalf of Jemena and are expected to continue progressively until the end of 2026.
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A West Footscray resident says he only discovered the works outside his home were preparations for a new power pole after questioning workers.
(Supplied)Residents question data centre link to new power poles
The works are unfolding near the massive data centre in West Footscray, one of a growing number of power-hungry facilities being built across Australia.
NEXTDC says the Indwe Street facility has capacity for up to 225MW of IT infrastructure, and the company is also pursuing an expansion of the campus onto additional land around Indwe Street and Paramount Road.
The West Footscray resident questioned why the surrounding residential streets should bear the impact.
“Where the new infrastructure to power that data centre has a huge impact on the aesthetics of a residential area, then they’re taking the piss,” he said.
The council has not confirmed the works are specifically for NEXTDC, but said it had been advised the upgrades were required to improve electricity reliability and capacity, and to support “current and future connections across Melbourne’s west”.
Yahoo News Australia has asked Jemena and NEXTDC whether the M3 facility, including its planned expansion, is one of the current or future connections being supported by the upgrades.
Neither had responded at the time of publication.
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The NextDC data centre was built just metres from residential homes.
(Yahoo News Australia)Council pushes for power lines to go underground
Semra said residents deserved clearer information about what was happening in their streets.
“You should have clear information about what is being installed, where works will happen, and how you may be affected,” he said.
The City of Maribyrnong is now raising its concerns directly with Jemena and Zinfra, and examining what options are available to reduce the impact of the works.
Semra said the council would also push for the infrastructure to be put underground.
“Ideally, this type of infrastructure would be underground, and we are asking that this be considered,” he said.
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