How to choose a data centre site in Queensland.

Choose a Queensland data centre site by locking power and connection timing first, then screening flood, planning, environment, water/cooling and access, and only then measuring the preferred parcel on the ground. Terrastack (Brisbane) builds this workflow for Australia.

1. Lock the electrical requirement

Define target capacity (MW), redundancy, timing and whether the site is more likely to connect at distribution or transmission voltage. In the NEM, connection work runs through the connecting Network Service Provider with AEMO involvement on the prescribed process. Source: AEMO transmission and distribution connections process overview.

2. Identify the right Queensland network pathway

For high-voltage transmission in Queensland, start with Powerlink's connection process. Source: Powerlink Connect to our network. For distribution connections in south-east Queensland (Energex) or regional Queensland (Ergon Energy Network), follow the large customer connection pathway when the connection falls in CAC/ICC or similar classes. Energex's Large Customer Connections standard describes large commercial premises where total requested capacity is greater than 1,000 kVA (1 MVA) as a typical large-customer case. Sources: Energex large customer electricity connections; STNW3522 Standard for Large Customer Connections.

3. Screen flood and overland flow early

Use FloodCheck Queensland for regional flood studies, historic floodlines and floodplain context, then obtain property-level advice from the local council. FloodCheck states it should not be used alone to determine flood potential at property level. Also see the Queensland Government FloodCheck page: FloodCheck Queensland application.

4. Check planning, environment and land constraints

Confirm zoning, overlays, strategic land-use intent, environmental registers, bushfire and cultural heritage constraints with the relevant planning scheme and state mapping. Treat every parcel as site-specific. Planning outcomes are unverified until confirmed with the assessment manager for that land.

5. Test water, cooling and access assumptions

Cooling design drives water and power behaviour. Screen nearby water constraints and confirm with the relevant water authority. Check road access, fibre routes and neighbouring sensitive uses. Do not publish unverified water yields; measure or obtain authority figures for the parcel.

6. Rank, then measure

Rank candidates on constraint fit and delivery risk. Remote public data tells you where to investigate. On the preferred site, use drones and ground sensors to establish what is actually there. See drone site survey for data centres and grid connection for data centres in Queensland.

How Terrastack helps

Terrastack consolidates public site intelligence across Australia and delivers measured site packs on shortlisted land. Landowners can request a free land audit. Contact Terrastack.

Sources linked above: AEMO, Powerlink, Energex/Energy Queensland, FloodCheck Queensland / Queensland Government. Capacity demand context on the Terrastack home page cites Data Centres Australia and DC Byte (April 2026). This page is general information, not advice.