EOI extended for NQ Regional Data Centre operator
Date published: 30 March 2017
The search for an investment and operating partner in the North Queensland Regional Data Centre (NQRDC) has been extended as a result of impacts from Cyclone Debbie.
Townsville City Council and James Cook University are partners in the project and announced today that the expressions of interest period would now close on 10am AEST April 7.
Mayor Jenny Hill and Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding have both been instrumental in setting the vision for North Queensland as a digital innovator.
Cr Hill said the impacts of Cyclone Debbie had also been felt across the business community.
“The events of the past week have had a major impact right across the community, including data operators, and we want to ensure all interested parties have had every opportunity to make a submission,” Cr Hill said.
“In the interest of fairness, the deadline for submissions has been extended from March 29 to Friday, April 7.”
The data centre will be a key piece of economic and digital infrastructure that will support both council’s future data centre needs and provide high quality services in the local community for other users, including JCU and prospectively State Government agencies, Defence and local businesses.
Council’s existing data centre is nearing its end of life (2019) and combining this demand with other key users in the local area will underpin this significant investment in local digital capability.
James Cook University has similarly identified a need for a data centre.
Following development of an initial business case to confirm viability, the key requirement moving forward would be a highly capable and experienced data centre operator.
While the NQRDC project is being progressed in full partnership between JCU and TCC, the administration of the EOI documentation will be managed by council to simplify administrative processes.
