Anthropic anchors a proposed $32 billion data centre in Queensland.
Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company behind Claude, has signed a major agreement to occupy a proposed $32 billion data centre in Queensland’s Western Downs. Dexus confirmed the arrangement in an ASX announcement, stating that its Australian Data Centres division is collaborating with Singapore-based developer Zerra DC and Macquarie Capital on the project for Anthropic’s Australian subsidiary.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli hailed the agreement as a significant investment for the state. “This is a major win that will deliver more jobs, put more energy into Queensland’s grid and drive down power prices for Queenslanders,” Crisafulli said, according to ABC reports. He noted that the deal followed a recent meeting with Anthropic executives during a trade mission to the United States, where he highlighted the region’s energy security, available development sites, and streamlined planning-approval process. “My meeting with Anthropic was to outline why Queensland was the place to invest in, with energy security and a streamlined approval process,” he added.
Dubbed the Western Downs Digital Park, the facility would be situated at 1933 Dalby-Kogan Road, northwest of Brisbane. Upon completion, the four-building complex would provide approximately 36,000 square metres of data centre floor space per structure. The staged development is projected to take four to six years to build out. Infrastructure plans include a 540MVA substation, battery-backed power-conditioning systems, internal road networks, an operations campus, supporting electrical infrastructure, and temporary housing for up to 1,500 construction workers.
While planning is underway, the project remains unapproved. Zerra DC submitted a development application to the Western Downs Regional Council on August 17, 2026, and is currently awaiting a determination. Beyond council consent, Anthropic’s participation is contingent upon approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board.
The location was selected for its proximity to the Braemar electricity-generation precinct and associated transmission assets, which include three gas-fired power stations, a solar farm, and the Braemar substation. The proposal calls for a direct connection to the existing high-voltage network rather than the local distribution system. Technically, the data centre will rely primarily on air-cooled systems, augmented by a closed-loop liquid-cooling setup. To minimise potable water consumption, the design incorporates rainwater harvesting and treated wastewater reuse.
The proposal aligns with a broader trend of developers and institutional investors increasing capital expenditure on Australian data centres. Dexus’ involvement underscores the growing convergence of commercial real estate, energy infrastructure, and cloud-computing capacity. Unlike traditional industrial projects, hyperscale facilities demand substantial electricity supply, redundant fibre connectivity, specialised cooling, and robust backup power, making grid access a primary determinant of land value and development viability. The Western Downs site diverges from Australia’s existing data centre concentration in Sydney and Melbourne. Its regional placement offers immediate access to large-scale generation and transmission infrastructure while providing sufficient acreage to support a phased, multi-year build-out.