The long-awaited environmental impact statement into the $1billion data centre and power station has confirmed nearby Tuggeranong residents' worst fears that their house prices could fall.
The results of the draft study issued yesterday found property prices in nearby suburbs could drop in the short term, but the controversial project could add $26million to residents' standard of living.
The impact statement and a separate health impact assessment found noise and emissions from the Mugga Lane project would fall within acceptable levels. As the results of the two studies were released yesterday, the data centre's developer, Technical Real Estate, which has already spent $3million on the project, warned the ACT could be liable for millions of dollars in compensation if the project had to be moved.
The environmental impact statement said of house prices, ''It is possible that a short-term negative impact may be being experienced at present due to concerns of potential property purchasers.''
But the statement said in the longer term the Canberra Technology City would not be expected to have any noticeable impact on house prices in the District of Tuggeranong.
That wasn't enough to ease the minds of many potentially affected residents yesterday.
Macarthur home owner Bob Whitaker, 65, said he expected his house to lose a quarter of its value.
''I'm about to retire and I am annoyed because my largest asset is my home,'' he said. ''To see possibly 25per cent of my largest asset go because of corporate greed I'm not happy.''
The ACT Greens said yesterday they would continue to oppose the data centre being built ''on this site''.
But Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan said the party would closely review the statement and health impact study.
''What we're saying is that we are still concerned about how we arrived at this process and how we arrived at the environmental impact assessment. That is still one of our major concerns.''
Planning Minister Andrew Barr said publication of the environmental impact statement showed the planning system was independent and working well. He blamed many of the project's problems on the ACT's old planning regime which was overhauled before the election, and warned that the new minority Government could allow the opposition and cross-bench to interfere and scupper the project anyway.
‘‘I recognise that some of the issues that have been raised by the project have at the core, problems which were associated with the former system,’’ Mr Barr said.
‘‘So my plea would be that the new system be given a chance to operate before we see this sort of political interference.’’
Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the health study showed the project would not harm health and she would ensure any necessary additional research was undertaken.
But Deputy Liberal leader Brendan Smyth said the Opposition was determined the project should be moved to another site in Hume.
‘‘We have a Bill on the table which would allow the rapid transfer of this project from one site to another,’’ he said.
‘‘We can fast-track this because it is to the benefit of the people of Canberra.’’
TRE director Andrew Campbell said he had met the Greens and the Government last week and was happy to work with all parties to get the project built.
‘‘However, we’ve spent a lot of money on this and, if you think you’re just going to pick us up and move us when we’ve found the best site in Canberra to build data centres, just be aware that you’re going to be up for a compensation claim.’’
Mr Campbell said the claim could run into many millions of dollars. Mr Smyth questioned the grounds for compensation. ‘‘Is the proponent saying that the Chief Minister has promised that this would go ahead on this site and has given some sort of written undertaking to make that (the case)? I think the Chief Minister needs to come clean and tell us why compensation would be appropriate in this case.’’ But Mr Campbell said the Liberals’ claims were wrong and there were other legal grounds for compensation if the Opposition and cross-bench tried to pass laws to stop the project.