Microsoft began construction for the Garden Drive datacentre in December 2022. The datacentre construction site is located on Garden Drive in Tullamarine, Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. 

Why datacentres are needed

Datacentres provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Whenever you open an app on your phone, join a virtual classroom or meeting, snap and save photos, or play a game with your friends online, you are using a datacentre. Local businesses, government, hospitals, and schools rely on datacentres every day to deliver goods and services to you.

November 2026

Generator activity at Microsoft’s Garden Drive datacentre

Microsoft operates on-site backup generators at our Garden Drive datacentre in Tullamarine. These generators support the safe and reliable operation of the datacentre and require routine testing and maintenance.

Generator testing takes place at regular intervals throughout the year, including monthly, quarterly, and annual testing. During monthly testing, generators are generally switched on individually for approximately 15 minutes each. Quarterly and annual testing may involve different testing requirements and operating periods.

Generators may also be required during construction or electrical works when the site needs to be temporarily disconnected from the electricity grid for safety reasons. These activities can require generators to operate for longer periods than routine testing. When possible, we will provide advance notice of planned construction activities that are expected to require generator operation.

During periods of generator activity, nearby neighbours may notice temporary changes in noise from the site. The timing and duration of generator operation will vary depending on the type of testing, maintenance, or works being undertaken.

Planned construction activity

Generators will be turned on intermittently to support planned construction activities on the following dates:

• 10 November
• 12 November
• 18 November

This schedule will be updated as works progress. Dates may change due to technical, operational, or construction requirements.

Managing generator activity

Microsoft manages site activities in accordance with applicable EPA Victoria environmental requirements, including requirements relating to noise and emissions. Microsoft has also completed detailed air quality modelling in accordance with EPA Victoria guidance.

Questions or concerns

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about generator activity at the site, please contact the Microsoft Community Affairs team at melDC@microsoft.com.

August 2026: Garden Drive construction update

Construction activities at our Melbourne campus continue to progress, with teams advancing fit-out works and installation activities across multiple areas of the site. Project teams remain focused on quality, safety, and coordination to support the next stages of delivery, with strong collaboration across contractors, partners, and operational stakeholders. Recent updates highlight steady progress on key infrastructure works, equipment installation, and commissioning preparation activities.

Approximately 60% of the site is now operational as a Microsoft datacentre, with the remaining areas still being fitted out under construction control. As these sites are now operational, Microsoft has direct control of those areas, and enhanced security and surveillance measures are in place. We remain committed to maintaining a safe construction environment while delivering critical digital infrastructure for the region.

February 2025: Garden Drive construction update

Construction works including the structure, roofing, and façade, along with internal car park, walkways, and landscaping surrounding the area are now complete.

Most of the essential temporary structures that were erected to aid in construction, such as scaffolding, builders’ hoists, and landing platforms, have been dismantled and cleared from the site. Crews are now focused on finalising building fit-out works.

In parallel, work on the site’s substation has commenced and is in its early stages of construction. The substation will be housed within the site boundaries and will meet all Australian and EPA guidelines and regulations.

December 2022: Breaking ground with community leaders at Melbourne datacentre sites

On December 5, 2022, Microsoft and our construction partners welcomed local community leaders to groundbreaking ceremonies at three of our Melbourne datacentre locations: Garden Drive, Cawley Road, and Woods Road. Together with our general contractors, Kapitol Group and BESIX Watpac, and our partners, AusNet Services, Aurecon, ERM, and Turner & Townsend, we honoured members of the Hume Council, Maribyrnong Council, Wyndham Council, and Invest Victoria to these three sites to mark the commencement of construction.

Wurundjeri Traditional Owners opened the groundbreaking events with Welcome to Country (Tanderrum) and Smoking Ceremonies.

The Melbourne datacentres will help provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Cloud services play an increasingly significant role in our lives—enabling remote work and learning, global collaboration, and business continuity; supporting discovery and innovation; and importantly, powering critical life and safety services. Microsoft datacentres support a wide spectrum of crucial services in Australia, from the lifesaving work of doctors and first responders to essential services like groceries and online banking.

Microsoft has operated in Australia for 39 years, and we continue to invest in the region and the ecosystem of partners and technology providers we rely on to meet the demand of delivering fast, reliable, and sustainable cloud services.

Microsoft is committed to the long-term health of the communities in which we operate and where our employees live and work.

October 2022

Microsoft will enter into the next stage of construction (earthworks) for the Garden Drive datacentre in October 2022.  This phase involves installing cabling, which will involve works in public spaces and potential disruption to roads. Detailed communications will be provided to the impacted areas.

Construction timeline

Datacentre construction will occur between October 2022, through late 2024.

Demolition of the existing buildings is now complete, and we are now commencing construction.

Together with our general contractor, BESIX Watpac, we will keep neighbours informed in advance of construction key events, including traffic mitigation plans, and will perform work within the hours detailed in our planning approval conditions.  Should there be any significant disruptions, we will notify the local community to reduce potential impacts.

Staying connected

We will keep the community up to date via our  Australia  page in our  Microsoft in Your Community blog.

For construction related questions or concerns, please contact Durham Shaw from BESIX Watpac via email at dshaw@watpac.com.au or by calling, (03) 9649 2200.

For PR-related questions contact Microsoft Media Relations .

For community related questions, contact us at MelDC@Microsoft.com .