Construction starts on Microsoft’s third 'hyperscale’ data centre in Melbourne
BESIX Watpac awarded contract to build next-gen data centre
BESIX Watpac has broken ground on the Garden Drive Microsoft Data Centre, with a site blessing and sod turning hosted on the 5th of December to celebrate the start of construction.
Located in Tullamarine, the Garden Drive Microsoft Data Centre is one of three new-generation data centres currently under construction in Melbourne, Victoria to meet the growing digital demands of Australian communities.
BESIX Watpac was awarded the contract to build the facility in August 2022 and commenced groundworks in October. General Manager Victoria and South Australia Simon Ballard said Garden Drive would be the third consecutive data centre built by BESIX Watpac in the past five years.
“Data centres are highly complex infrastructure assets, and our team brings the specialist construction skills necessary to build what Microsoft needs to meet the growing digital demands of Australian communities,” Mr Ballard said.
The Garden Drive Microsoft Data Centre is being constructed on a brownfield industrial site close to Melbourne Airport and is a two-level data centre. This scope of works also includes site establishment for future phases, ancillary services and administration, and landscaping works.
On Monday, 5th December, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Elder, Uncle Ringo Terrick, blessed the site with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with echoes of the didgeridoo played in the background by Paul Kelly. The proceedings were signed by Auslan interpreter Wendy Bailey.
Local Industry, government bodies, community organisations and social enterprises came together to celebrate.
Special guests at the ground-breaking event included representatives from Hume City Council, AusNet Services, Aurecon, Turner & Townsend, Kangan Institute TAFE - Indigenous Education Centre, Jobs Victoria, Industry Capability Network, Department of Justice and Community Safety, Deaf Children Australia, Mighty Serious, Social Traders, Jesuit Social Services and Apprenticeships Victoria.
For more information and construction updates visit Garden Drive datacentre construction overview - Microsoft Local.
Uncle Ringo Terrick performing the smoking ceremony for Microsoft, BESIX Watpac teams and special guests - Hume City Council, AusNet Services, Aurecon, Turner & Townsend, Kangan Institute TAFE - Indigenous Education Centre, Jobs Victoria, Industry Capability Network, Department of Justice and Community Safety, Deaf Children Australia, Mighty Serious, Social Traders, Jesuit Social Services and Apprenticeships Victoria.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Elder, Uncle Ringo Terrick
Didgeridoo played in the background by Paul Kelly
Didgeridoo player Paul Kelly with Microsoft DCD Director, Melbourne Mark Jackson and BESIX Watpac Social Procurement Manager Tina Eastman
Hume City Council Mayor Joseph Haweil addresses the audience and discusses the economic significance of the project
BESIX Watpac hosts successful 2025 NSW Subcontractor Event
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