Melbourne‑based Quantum DC intends to build the Tungkillo Compute and Energy Hub on a 220‑hectare site at 312 Collins Road, 55 km east of Adelaide, combining a hyperscale data centre with dedicated power infrastructure.

The development would include a gas‑fired reserve generator, two new substations linked to an existing 275 kV line, and a 1,200 MW computing capacity, with the first stage slated for operation in 2028 and full completion by 2031.

Local residents and farmers have organised opposition, citing potential impacts on the nearby River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve, where artificial lighting could degrade the region’s night‑sky quality.

Quantum DC notes the site lies more than five kilometres outside the reserve’s boundary, but community groups argue that proximity still demands careful light‑pollution mitigation.

Noise from cooling equipment, generators and substations is another concern, with residents fearing continuous sound could affect homes, livestock and wildlife.

Quantum DC says specialist assessments of noise and vibration will be carried out before a formal development application is lodged.

The plan earmarks 120 ha for buildings and infrastructure while leaving 100 ha for grazing, yet farmers question the suitability of large‑scale industrial activity on agricultural land and its effect on pollinators and landscape character.

Water use is a further point of debate; the centre would operate a closed‑loop cooling system consuming about 20 megalitres per year, with 150–250 megalitres needed during construction, sourced mainly from roof‑collected rainwater and supplemental commercial deliveries.

The developer asserts the project will not draw water directly from the River Murray nor connect permanently to SA Water’s mains, aiming to mitigate conventional water‑intensive cooling concerns.

Energy supply will rely on contracted wind and solar generation for about 80 % of demand, supplemented by on‑site gas‑fired turbines providing roughly 400 MW of firming capacity, raising questions about emissions and long‑term fossil fuel use.

As of 28 October 2026, the South Australian government had not received a formal development application; Quantum DC is pursuing approval via the Essential Infrastructure/Crown assessment pathway, which includes public notification, technical review and a decision by the Minister for Planning.

The developer has held two drop‑in community sessions on 29 and 31 October to gather feedback, promising to incorporate comments into an engagement report submitted with the eventual application.