Data centres are among the most technically demanding development types to navigate through the planning and approvals process. Their operational characteristics, low staff numbers, high power demand, complex loading requirements, and stringent access controls, do not map neatly onto standard traffic engineering frameworks.
Over several years, ptc. has built a strong track record in this sector, delivering expert engineering services across Development Applications (DAs), State Significant Development Applications (SSDAs), and construction and occupation stages for data centre projects in Australia.
A sector with distinct planning challenges
Data centres generate relatively modest traffic volumes for their footprint, but they present planning challenges that require a tailored approach. Parking demand is typically well below what generic planning controls would suggest. Access and loading arrangements must account for oversized delivery vehicles and high-security operational requirements.
Getting the transport strategy right from the outset reduces the risk of consent conditions that are difficult to comply with, or approval delays caused by under-specified access and loading arrangements. It also protects the feasibility of the project by ensuring parking and access design reflects how the facility will actually operate.
What shapes good traffic advice for data centres
Across these projects, a number of consistent themes have shaped our approach to traffic engineering for data centres.
- Parking rates need to reflect actual operational demand. Data centres employ relatively few people per square metre and generate minimal visitor traffic. Applying standard commercial parking rates typically overstates demand and wastes buildable area. Our approach involves analysing facility characteristics, drawing on utilisation data from comparable facilities, and making a well-reasoned case to the consent authority.
- Sustainable transport strategies are increasingly supporting approval outcomes. Sites with strong public transport access create a genuine opportunity to minimise car parking and strengthen the transport chapter of the SSDA.
- Construction-phase traffic management requires careful sequencing, particularly on live sites. Where a facility is partially operational while construction continues the interface between delivery vehicles, construction traffic, and staff access needs to be planned for explicitly, not treated as a detail to resolve later.
- Loading dock design can be a critical element. Data centres receive large deliveries of equipment, including server racks, generators, and cabling. Swept path analysis and clear dock management planning are essential to demonstrating that access can be safely and efficiently accommodated within the site.
ptc. has supported clients at every stage of the data centre development lifecycle, from feasibility and DA through to construction and occupation. If you are planning a data centre project and want to understand the traffic and transport requirements early, we are happy to talk through your project.
Our data centre experience
ptc. has worked on data centre projects for operators and developers across metropolitan NSW, engaging at multiple stages of the development lifecycle. The following projects illustrate the range of work we have delivered.
Julius Avenue Data Centre, North Ryde – $1.58 billion SSDA
In August 2025, ISPT lodged a State Significant Development Application for a $1.58 billion data centre at Julius Avenue, North Ryde. ptc. was engaged by Logic Project Co to deliver traffic engineering services for the SSDA.
Scope: preparation of a Transport Impact Assessment with SIDRA traffic modelling across three intersections, parking design advice, swept path analysis, a Preliminary CTMP, and a Green Travel Plan. Read more >
DigiCo SYD1, Ultimo – $605 million expansion
ptc. was engaged by DigiCo and Census Advisory to support the State Significant Development Application (SSDA), which received approval in December 2025.
Scope: preparation of a Transport Impact Assessment, a Green Travel Plan, and a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), and provision of concept design advice for parking and vehicular access, including swept path analysis. Read more >
NEXTDC S3 Sydney, Artarmon – multi-stage engagement
The S3 Sydney Data Centre is an eight-storey facility in Artarmon that accommodates approximately 4,000 m² of office space and 27,000 m² of data halls, supported by a basement car park and an at-grade loading dock. ptc. was engaged by NEXTDC across two stages of the project over a number of years.
During our first engagement, our scope included: traffic and parking assessment and preparation of CTMPs, and a Green Travel Plan.
In 2022, we were re-engaged to support a proposed modification converting 2,000 m² of data hall space to office use, accommodating an additional 200 staff on site. Our scope at this stage included Detailed Design, a Due Diligence Traffic Assessment, updates to the existing Loading Dock Management Plan, and Transport Impact Assessment, as well as Construction Certificate and Occupation Certificate services. Read more >
ESR Data Centre Macquarie Park
In 2023, ptc. was engaged by ESR to support with traffic engineering advice the SSDA for the construction of a new data centre at Macquarie Park.
Scope: provision of design advice, preparation of a Transport Impact Assessment, a preliminary CTMP, and a Green Travel Plan.
Digital Realty SYD14 and SYD15, Erskine Park
In 2019, ptc. was engaged by Greenbox Architecture on behalf of Digital Realty to support the DA and construction stages for SYD14 at Lockwood Road, Erskine Park.
Scope: DA Stage – undertaking parking analysis and design, preparation of a Traffic Impact Assessment. Construction Stage – preparation of a CTMP, and Construction Certificate and Occupation Certificate services.
In 2021, we returned to the same precinct for SYD15, a new data centre at the eastern end of Lockwood Road.
Scope: preparation of a Transport Impact Assessment, a Preliminary CTMP, and a Preliminary Green Travel Plan.
Equinix SY9, Rosehill
ptc. was engaged by Greenbox Architecture in 2019 to provide traffic consultancy services for the Equinix SY9 Development Application, submitted to the City of Parramatta
Scope: undertaking parking analysis and design, preparation of a Traffic Impact Assessment, and a Green Travel Plan.