Sod turning to launch DCI data centre project

The sod turning ceremony for the ADL02 facility is a significant milestone in DCI’s vision to support South Australia becoming a new digital infrastructure hub capable of retaining and attracting critical ICT loads.

BESIX Watpac’s South Australia Manager Al Crosby says the contract is highly significant for the company in South Australia.

“This project speaks to our strategy to bring our engineering-led, multidisciplinary approach to data centres, defence and other secure facilities,” Al said.

DCI’s Malcolm Roe said “ADL02 is the first of its kind in South Australia – we have committed $70 million to this facility which will provide mission-critical support to some of the state’s priority growth sectors, offering the highest levels of security so they can conduct business with certainty, using local infrastructure.

“South Australia has been successful in attracting global defence, space, high-tech and creative industries. In fact, this state is home to the nation’s defence industrial complex – a world class precinct. Industries like Defence go hand in hand with digital infrastructure, which in turn makes this state a critical data centre region and supports a thriving digital infrastructure ecosystem,” Mr Roe said.

SA Premier Steven Marshall congratulated DCI for its significant investment in South Australia, saying it will support the state in accelerating its growth state agenda and creating jobs.

“South Australia currently has more people employed in the State than ever before and investment such as this from DCI is going to help us sustain and create even more jobs – particularly in the IT and Cyber space.

“Data centre investment attracts IT workloads to our state and complements our already thriving defence industry. We also know that more revenue and jobs are created with digital infrastructure investment. This investment will stop these jobs being exported interstate,” Premier Marshall said.

The ADL02 data centre is scheduled for Practical Completion in August 2022. BESIX Watpac will be responsible for construction, installation, certification and commissioning.