AI Archives - Buderim Today

Large concrete pillars are now pushing skyward along South Sea Islander Way — the unmistakeable early signs of the Sunshine Coast’s first dedicated AI data centre in the heart of Maroochydore, and what Sunshine Coast Council has called the region’s biggest-ever private commercial investment.

The $200 million facility, known as SC2, is being built by data centre operator NextDC at 10 South Sea Islander Way in the Maroochydore CBD. It is designed as a five-storey structure with a capacity of 6 megawatts, on a 3,710 square metre plot. The site sits alongside NextDC’s existing SC1 centre, which has been operational since 2021 and already serves as host to the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network cable landing station.

Council has described SC2 as an “AI factory” — purpose-built infrastructure aimed at expanding digital capability across sectors including aerospace, geospatial intelligence and biomedical research. For locals watching the Maroochydore CBD rapidly evolve from a former golf course site into a full-scale urban centre, the development marks another striking chapter in the area’s transformation.

Water-wise by design

One of the most talked-about aspects of SC2 is its approach to cooling — a critical issue given how much water traditional AI data centres consume. According to an Environmental and Energy Study Institute article cited in reporting on the project, a large AI facility can use up to nearly 19 million litres of water per day, while even a medium-sized centre may consume the equivalent of what roughly 1,000 households use in a year.

SC2 will take a markedly different path. NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie has explained that the new centre will use closed-loop, liquid direct-to-chip cooling, where water is sealed within the system, circulates directly over computer chips to draw away heat, and is then recirculated rather than lost to evaporation. Any water top-ups required will draw from recycled sources rather than the region’s drinking water supply — a significant departure from conventional data centre practice.

NextDC’s SC1 centre has already earned recognition as one of the most water-efficient data facilities in the country, thanks to its use of rainwater-fed cooling towers and high-efficiency chillers. Scroggie has indicated that the AI workloads SC2 is designed to handle demand a more advanced approach still, and that the sealed system will result in minimal ongoing water consumption.

Jobs and opportunity

Beyond the physical infrastructure, SC2 is expected to generate lasting employment on the Sunshine Coast once operational. Scroggie has pointed to direct roles for engineers, technicians and operations staff, as well as broader knock-on opportunities for cloud providers, network operators, cybersecurity businesses, software firms and start-ups drawn to the region by the availability of world-class digital infrastructure.

NextDC has committed $200 million to expand its digital footprint in Queensland with SC2, and the CEO has said the facility will help local and national organisations make the most of AI and further strengthen the Sunshine Coast’s standing as a key hub for Australia’s digital economy.

A rapidly changing neighbourhood

The SC2 site is not the only thing reshaping this stretch of Maroochydore. The surrounding CBD precinct is in the midst of a broader transformation, with an $82.9 million state government funding commitment aimed at unlocking the development of more than 1,800 apartments in the eastern precinct of the Maroochydore City Centre, as part of the $142.7 million project to support ongoing CBD development.

That kind of residential growth — alongside commercial towers, hospitality venues and transport planning — means SC2 is being built into a neighbourhood that will look considerably different again by the time it opens its doors.For a region that has quietly been positioning itself as a serious player in digital connectivity — with international submarine cables already landing at Maroochydore, and Google using the SC1 facility to support the Tabua trans-Pacific cable landing expected in 2026 — the arrival of a dedicated AI data centre feels less like a surprise and more like the next logical step.

Published 21-April-2026

Researchers from the Buderim-adjacent University of the Sunshine Coast recently travelled to outback Queensland. There, they used four-legged robots to herd sheep at a local high school, sparking discussion about technology’s role alongside traditional working dogs.

The demonstration took place last month, March 2025, at St George State High School, bringing advanced technology face-to-face with rural life.

Robot Dogs Demonstrated in St George

*Photo Credit:* *St George State High School/ Facebook*

The University of the Sunshine Coast team brought Unitree Go2 robots to the school’s agricultural plot as part of a youth summit activity. These four-legged machines, capable of walking, jumping, and shaking, were tested on the school’s livestock.

With a top speed of 18 kilometres per hour and a battery lasting around two hours, the robots successfully moved small groups of sheep within the yards. However, students and staff noted that the robots lacked the appealing appearance of their furry counterparts.

Working Dog Expert Questions Robot Role

While the technology impressed onlookers, experienced Dirranbandi grazier and top working dog trainer Tom Perkins expressed doubts about robots replacing kelpies soon. Mr Perkins found using robots for livestock interesting, noting that technology in other agricultural areas had advanced while the livestock side had lagged. However, he firmly believed robots could not replace working dogs entirely.

Mr Perkins pointed out that working dogs possess intelligence and can think for themselves, unlike robots which require constant remote control. He questioned how a robot would handle the demanding physical work and vast distances covered by dogs in paddocks, especially when moving sheep in yards. Further challenges, he suggested, include the high cost of robots compared to dogs (even good ones), their durability on rough terrain, and how they would fare if charged by annoyed cattle or sheep.

Another factor Mr Perkins highlighted was the companionship dogs provide, especially when working alone. He also observed a recent increase in the use and value of working dogs, partly due to difficulties finding farm staff. One person with good dogs can often do the work of several people. While acknowledging that robots might suit specific, smaller tasks, he maintained he would stick with his dogs for larger operations.

School Sees Educational Opportunity

The robot demonstration was a valuable educational tool for St George State High School. Caitlin Crowe, the school’s Head of the Department for Agriculture, Technology, and Arts, explained that the university visit aimed to show students the future possibilities in agriculture. She said the students were highly engaged and understood that agriculture involves diverse roles, including engineering and mechatronics (a field combining mechanics and electronics).

Ms Crowe stated that the school, recognised as an agricultural school of excellence, focuses on innovative pathways. Following the demonstration, the school now plans to purchase its robot dogs. These robots would be used in the agricultural program and the digital technologies curriculum, where students could learn to code them for voice commands and apply these skills practically on the school’s ag plot.

Published Date 24-April-2025

Tag: AI

First Sunshine Coast AI Data Centre Takes Shape in Maroochydore CBD