A proposed hyperscale data centre in Boorloo / Perth's east is facing escalating opposition, with Aboriginal leaders and community groups warning the development could threaten a culturally significant river system and set a troubling precedent for future infrastructure projects.
The facility, planned for Hazelmere in the City of Swan, would be built near Mandoon Bilya, the Noongar name for the Helena River.
The site holds deep cultural and environmental significance for local Aboriginal communities, including the Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association, which is leading calls for the proposal to be reconsidered.
Opposition to the project has led to the 'Save Mandoon Bilya' campaign, bringing together Aboriginal organisations, environmental groups, a local school and residents.
While the campaign acknowledged the importance of data centres and AI infrastructure, opponents argue the proposed location is fundamentally inappropriate.
At the centre of the dispute is the potential impact on Aboriginal heritage.
Mandoon Bilya is recognised not only as an ecological asset but a site of longstanding cultural connection.
Community representatives said industrial development along the river corridor risked damaging these, particularly given the scale of the proposed facility.
The development could become WA's biggest data centre, with plans for a 23m tall, 120-megawatt operation running continuously via dozens of cooling units.
This level of industrial intensity could impact the surrounding environment, including a conservation-category wetland, the Helena River Waldorf School and a major native plant nursery operated by Trillion Trees Australia.
'Raises serious concerns about how Aboriginal heritage is being valued'
Trillion Trees Australia fundraising coordinator, Kate Herren, said the proposal reflected a broader failure to adequately consider Aboriginal heritage in planning decisions.
"This is a culturally significant river system that has sustained communities for generations," Ms Herren said.
"Placing a project of this scale in such a sensitive location raises serious concerns about how Aboriginal heritage is being valued and protected."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association (@bibbul_ngarma)
The campaign also raised concerns about a lack of proper consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders, with more meaningful engagement urged.
This would align with the federal government's recently announced data centre and AI framework, which committed to putting "the needs of the Australian people first", a principle the campaign said must include recognition of First Nations perspectives in land use decisions.
Continuous noise, heat output and increased resource demand
The project's proximity to Mandoon Bilya was concerning, with some estimates placing it within 40m of the waterway, while residential areas and a school were nearby.
Residents said the development could introduce continuous noise, heat output and increased resource demand, while also potentially risking the river's floodplain and surrounding ecosystems.
Alternative locations within Hazelmere's established industrial precinct would be better suited to the large-scale development, critics said, thus avoiding encroachment on culturally and environmentally sensitive land.
"This is not just about one data centre," a campaign spokesperson said.
"It's about ensuring that culturally significant landscapes like Mandoon Bilya are respected and protected for future generations."
The City of Swan, which was currently assessing the proposal, was contacted for comment.
