COMMUNITY & INFRASTRUCTURE · SOUTH MORANG, MELBOURNE
Whittlesea seeks pause on data centre decisions pending planning reforms
Published · Cenlocal summary
The council has asked the Victorian Government to hold further local data-centre applications while proposed state planning reforms are developed and consulted on.
Whittlesea Council has called for a pause on data-centre approvals until proposed Victorian planning reforms are finalised and incorporated into planning schemes. The council announced its position on 23 October 2026, following its 20 October meeting.
The resolution seeks stronger planning controls, transparency and consultation with councils and communities. It asks the council to write to the Premier and the planning and artificial-intelligence ministers and raises concerns including infrastructure, resources, biodiversity and community health and safety.
The council also opposed use of the Development Facilitation Program to approve a data centre at 525 McDonalds Road, South Morang. It sought a hold on further local applications, including 165 Williamsons Road. This is a council advocacy position: the announcement does not itself suspend the state approval process or decide the outcome of those applications.
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This is an original Cenlocal summary. Cenlocal is not the original reporter; facts are attributed to the sources below.
