Cape Town tribunal approves Equinix data centres despite activist objections

[Gordon_R]

Well if you don’t want to read what we post then we don’t need to read yours, hey.

There is plenty of scope to object to the building plans, which is the next step. This ruling is a land use zoning application by a golf club, not an actual construction permit. There is no rational basis for finger pointing at this stage, and final approval is not a fait accompli.

 

[rustypup]

The more coverage there is on this, the more NIMBY the protests appear

 

[Gordon_R]

As far as I'm aware, most South African datacentres are closed-loop and don't consume much water at all.

The only one I know of that did was MTN's Gallo Manor but they converted to a closed loop many system years ago.

Datacentres are built for efficiency and redundancy. I would be VERY surprised if a new build was not closed-loop.

Yes, we discussed all that in a previous thread. This one is rehashing the same irrelevant arguments that the plaintiffs failed to win.

I mentioned wastewater, because it is an almost unlimited source, that is mostly used to [irony alert] irrigate golf courses...

 

[Gordon_R]

The more coverage there is on this, the more NIMBY the protests appear

There are no (living) neighbours. That is the advantage of building in an industrial area, next to a wastewater treatment plant (and noisy airport). IMO it's a near perfect location.

 

[Nerfherder]

I stopped reading the Daily Maverick a few years ago. I have no intention of watching a video by them. Planning and development is always a compromise. It is very easy for one side to take ad-hominem potshots, so I will be disregarding your comment.

For reference, I am currently reading a lengthy book about climate change and the CoCT. It is based on a symposium, and a bit dated (2012), but gives a good overview of the incredible technical, political and legal issues involved in any kind of decision making. See: https://www.africancentreforcities....cale-impacts-mitigation-adaptation-cape-town/

Cape Town has some unique geographical features that limit spatial development. The centuries of history are filled with major controversies about water and sanitation, and development. Some things don't change...

They do state some interesting facts in the article though - so I do urge you to read\watch the video.

The bottom line is that many of the things that Cape Townians object to are being forced forward by this tribunal - with impunity.

At the very least these guys need to be rotated because they are holding on to positions longer than they are legaly allowed to.

 

[Nerfherder]

There are no (living) neighbours. That is the advantage of building in an industrial area, next to a wastewater treatment plant (and noisy airport). IMO it's a near perfect location.

So yes, I agree that this location actually does eliminate the "noisy neighbour" argument. What remains is the water and power issue... and the fact that there is no good reason to share Cape Town with 3 data centers.

 

[Brian_G]

At least the message has been put out there - we don't want your massive AI related projects. Should help narrow down the extremes

 

[Gordon_R]

So yes, I agree that this location actually does eliminate the "noisy neighbour" argument. What remains is the water and power issue... and the fact that there is no good reason to share Cape Town with 3 data centers.

Teraco Rondebosch is a ' data center' in name only. Mostly peer to peer networking and hosting. They are currently digging up the parking area to install a 50,000 liter diesel tank, but even that is small by international standards. Also nowhere near the 30,000 square meters floorspace quoted in the article.

Edit: I happened to be in the area today, so here is a hot off the press photo that you won't see elsewhere. The diesel tanks being installed at Great Westerford:

 

[Bl4d3]

Thought I'd chime in on this.
We got notice yesterday that City of Cape Town plans to build 5 x large buildings near to us.
1 x 9 story
2 x 11 story
1 x 13 story
1 x 19 story

They intend to use 2 as government buildings while the remaining 3 will be mixed use residential buildings that will create roughly 1140 affordable housing units, studio to 3 bedroom apartments and retail space on the ground level.

When residents asked officials for the reports and assessments conducted to determine the impact on electrical, water, sewerage, and traffic infrastructure, as well as the expected impact on the surrounding area, as well as if additional safety and security resources would be provided for the Bellville area due to the expected influx of several thousand people, residents were told, and I quote "Authorisation needs to be given by every department. They clearly gave it".

When residents persisted, a resident was advised "It will just say supported. We won't get access to the internal traffic reports. Its not in your area so your comments would not really count".

Public participation has started, yet the city flat out refuses to provide residents with the reports and assessments to make informed submissions.

They did the same at Stikland hospital where the CoCT is pushing through low cost housing on the hospital grounds, and at the end of the public participation process, they dismisses all objections from residents, stating that residents are laymen.

 

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Thought I'd chime in on this.
We got notice yesterday that City of Cape Town plans to build 5 x large buildings near to us.
1 x 9 story
2 x 11 story
1 x 13 story
1 x 19 story

They intend to use 2 as government buildings while the remaining 3 will be mixed use residential buildings that will create roughly 1140 affordable housing units, studio to 3 bedroom apartments and retail space on the ground level.

When residents asked officials for the reports and assessments conducted to determine the impact on electrical, water, sewerage, and traffic infrastructure, as well as the expected impact on the surrounding area, as well as if additional safety and security resources would be provided for the Bellville area due to the expected influx of several thousand people, residents were told, and I quote "Authorisation needs to be given by every department. They clearly gave it".

When residents persisted, a resident was advised "It will just say supported. We won't get access to the internal traffic reports. Its not in your area so your comments would not really count".

Public participation has started, yet the city flat out refuses to provide residents with the reports and assessments to make informed submissions.

They did the same at Stikland hospital where the CoCT is pushing through low cost housing on the hospital grounds, and at the end of the public participation process, they dismisses all objections from residents, stating that residents are laymen.

DA just as sneaky as the ANC.