Residents in Makarewa, New Zealand, are raising alarms over the planned NZ$3.5bn datacentre set to be built by Singapore's Datagrid. Scheduled to begin construction this year and operational by 2028, the facility is expected to significantly impact local resources, particularly electricity and water usage.
Local Community Voices Concerns Over Datacentre Impact
The datacentre, which will serve global AI and cloud providers, is projected to become New Zealand's second-largest electricity consumer, using 280MW of power. Locals are worried about the potential for increased electricity bills, noise pollution, and the environmental consequences of such a large-scale operation. Kelly Blomfield, chair of the Southland Sustainable Resource coalition, expressed that the community feels uninformed about the project's details, stating, "I think that most people’s actual concern is that we don’t find out anything until it’s done."
Datagrid has also indicated plans to build a high-speed internet cable between Invercargill and Australia, which they assert will create around 1,200 jobs during construction and 50 permanent positions once operational. However, economic geographer Angus Dowell warned of potential long-term drawbacks, noting, "[The centres] provide short term economic benefits in the form of construction, but they’re very, very low employers long term."
Environmental Concerns and Community Sentiment
As discussions surrounding the datacentre progress, residents like Amanda, who wished to remain anonymous, are increasingly alarmed by the project's implications. She expressed concerns over the facility's potential reliance on 84 diesel generators during power shortages and the impact of continuous noise and light on local farms and wildlife.
