NEXTDC opens pioneering data centre in Darwin with Vocus

Data centre provider NEXTDC has officially launched a new data centre facility in Darwin.

This development has been achieved in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government and Vocus. The introduction of this new data centre underscores NEXTDC's commitment to the economic advancement of technological capabilities within the region.

Named D1, the centre is engineered to provide robust digital infrastructure for data-heavy industries such as mining and telecommunications. The facility has a projected capacity of 7MW and is expected to offer crucial digital frameworks that will unlock new opportunities for the Northern Territory. "NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie highlighted the significance of D1, stating, ‘This facility will enable organisations operating in the Northern Territory to embrace digital innovation and compete in new and dynamic growth markets across the APAC region.’

The D1 Darwin centre offers high-speed and secure networking infrastructure to link the Northern Territory with the broader Asia-Pacific region. The data centre aims to play a vital role in supporting the rapid advancement of technology innovation, particularly through Artificial Intelligence (AI). The centre provides secure, low latency access to a national partner ecosystem that connects the region to global cloud platforms, telecommunication providers, and digital service providers. ‘This facility will play a pivotal role in accelerated computing and represents the next step towards achieving national digital equity for the Northern Territory,’ added Mr Scroggie.

One of the key advantages of the new facility is its location. It is situated close to Darwin's Central Business District (CBD) and has direct access to major subsea cable infrastructure. This strategic location allows for real-time responsiveness to operational and mission-critical requirements across sectors such as government, mining, resources, and defence industries. Northern Territory Chief Minister, Eva Lawler, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, ‘Northern Territory business and government will be able to significantly boost the capability of their current digital footprint, actively supporting our Digital Territory Action Plan to enable all Territorians to reach their potential and thrive in a digital economy.’

NEXTDC’s partnership with Vocus also brings important enhancements to the D1 facility. Vocus has integrated its Terabit Territory fibre network within the data centre, providing necessary high-capacity, low-latency networking for resilient digital infrastructure and mission-critical operations in Darwin. Vocus CEO Ellie Sweeney commented: ‘Connecting to the Vocus Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable (DJSC) submarine system will unlock Darwin as a major new digital hub for the Asia-Pacific, delivering unparalleled redundancy and reliability to the region.’

Several organisations have also joined as Foundational Partners in the Digital Development Program at D1 Darwin, aiming to expand and connect the Northern Territory's digital economy to critical infrastructure and a nationwide ecosystem of service providers and global cloud platforms. These partners include Aussie Broadband, GSL Networks and NetVault.

The technical specifications of the new facility include a 7MW target capacity, 3,000m² of technical IT space, 100% uptime, 1,000 rack capacity and 2,000m² of mission-critical space (MCX).

The launch of the D1 Darwin data centre marks a significant milestone for the Northern Territory’s digital economy and provides a robust foundation for future digital growth in one of the world's most remote regions.