Housing delivery still more important than data centres

HOUSING needs to be the main priority despite a government move to create data centres around Australia, according to a peak industry body,

The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the prime minister’s acknowledgement that housing must remain a central consideration as Australia expands its digital infrastructure and data centre capacity.

“While data centres may play an important role in Australia’s economic future, governments must not lose sight of the country’s most urgent challenge – delivering enough homes for a growing population,” Simon Croft, HIA chief executive industry and policy, said.

“Australia needs both homes and digital infrastructure but the rapid expansion of new data centres should not come at the expense of boosting supply of new housing.

“We are already seeing growing competition for land, electricity, water and infrastructure at a time when governments are struggling to deliver the housing supply needed to improve affordability.”

Croft said examples are already emerging where housing projects are being displaced by data centre developments.

“There are examples in states such as Victoria and NSW where land previously earmarked for housing is being fast-tracked for data centre development,” he said.

“The preferential planning treatment afforded to some data centre projects should also be called out. While we have no objection to this type of development, housing should be afforded the same urgency.

“Under fast-track planning mechanisms, it is entirely conceivable that a data centre spanning many hectares could be approved faster than a single home.

“Families looking for a home should not find themselves behind data centres in the queue for land, energy connections or essential infrastructure.”

HIA said the issue is particularly acute in growth corridors and regional hubs, where housing developments are already facing delays due to infrastructure constraints.

The association also called for greater scrutiny of the significant energy and water demands associated with large-scale data centre developments and how those impacts are managed alongside community and housing needs.

“We welcome the prime minister’s comments about the importance of data centres doing the heavy lifting when it comes to their electricity and water use,” Croft said.

“And we strongly encourage the Federal Government to push this principle forward and ensure national cabinet supports it in both words and actions.’

Over recent decades, the cost of housing has been ratcheted up by successive changes to building and energy efficiency requirements, designed to reduce household water and energy consumption.

“At the same time, a single large-scale data centre can consume resources equivalent to tens of thousands of homes,” Croft said.

“Unless these impacts are properly managed and offset, there is a real risk that households will face even greater pressure to reduce consumption through additional costs and regulatory requirements.”

Croft added Australia should embrace the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, including their growing application within the residential building industry.

“AI is proving to be a valuable productivity-enhancing tool for many parts of the building sector and Australia should be at the forefront of adopting these technologies,” he said.

“But we must not move forward without asking important questions and establishing sensible boundaries to ensure the nation’s housing needs are not compromised.

“HIA is urging governments to ensure planning, infrastructure and investment decisions support a balanced approach that delivers both housing and economic growth, without compromising Australia’s ability to provide enough homes for its growing population.”