In the latest episode of our Powering Change mini-series, Ashurst’s Bree Miechel is joined by special guest Simon McFadden, a digital infrastructure expert at Aurecon. Together, they discuss how data centres – often referred to as “the factories of the digital age” – are evolving to keep pace with demand in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond.

Simon reveals the inside story of Aurecon’s extensive work across the data development lifecycle and explains why proximity to urban hubs, skilled labour, and supply chains remain vital, even as conversations around rural, renewables-linked data centres attract attention. He also tackles pressing issues such as water scarcity, artificial intelligence and regulation, and weighs up the relative merits of utility-scale batteries and modular nuclear reactors.

To listen to this episode, and to subscribe to future episodes, search for “Ashurst Business Agenda” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about the issues covered in this episode, read Ashurst’s latest Powering Change report. And to read an ongoing series of Ashurst insights on data centres visit this web page.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

In the latest episode of our Powering Change mini-series, Ashurst&rsquo;s <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ashurst.com%2Fen%2Fpeople%2Fbree-miechel%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMichelle.Meng%40ashurst.com%7C2a2ecf87b7574f6368f108dd9d78b73d%7C0bb6abcca4cb4fe29b52d3ab6bae9014%7C0%7C0%7C638839864001402811%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5yQe9NpDzsJn%2BE6HonVJ20WmtpOaR%2Fu6bOQnnxfOsKw%3D&amp;reserved=0">Bree Miechel</a> is joined by special guest Simon McFadden, a digital infrastructure expert at Aurecon. Together, they discuss how data centres &ndash; often referred to as &ldquo;the factories of the digital age&rdquo; &ndash; are evolving to keep pace with demand in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Simon reveals the inside story of Aurecon&rsquo;s extensive work across the data development lifecycle and explains why proximity to urban hubs, skilled labour, and supply chains remain vital, even as conversations around rural, renewables-linked data centres attract attention. He also tackles pressing issues such as water scarcity, artificial intelligence and regulation, and weighs up the relative merits of utility-scale batteries and modular nuclear reactors.
To listen to this episode, and to subscribe to future episodes, search for &ldquo;Ashurst Business Agenda&rdquo; on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about the issues covered in this episode, read <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ashurst.com%2Fen%2Fpowering-change-a-new-era-for-the-energy-transition%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpodcast%26utm_medium%3Depisode%26utm_campaign%3DPoweringChange25%26utm_content%3Dpodcast_data_centres&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMichelle.Meng%40ashurst.com%7C2a2ecf87b7574f6368f108dd9d78b73d%7C0bb6abcca4cb4fe29b52d3ab6bae9014%7C0%7C0%7C638839864001417766%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=we5tmAcRidJRAvDK6NVd9oUwK2oeMNf9lxC%2FxcXutOg%3D&amp;reserved=0">Ashurst&rsquo;s latest Powering Change</a> report. And to read an ongoing series of Ashurst insights on data centres <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ashurst.com%2Fen%2Finsights%2Fdata-centres-article-series%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMichelle.Meng%40ashurst.com%7C2a2ecf87b7574f6368f108dd9d78b73d%7C0bb6abcca4cb4fe29b52d3ab6bae9014%7C0%7C0%7C638839864001432695%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=B8g5oeVZ049PM8nNzo7OXUbVkdNxnId40LQykM%2B494g%3D&amp;reserved=0">visit this web page</a>.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

2025 is shaping up to be a momentous year for business leaders and those who advise them. Across every sector, powerful forces of change will challenge organisations  and create opportunities like never before.
This is a time of economic and political change…
…a time of digital transformation and energy transition…
and a time of rapidly shifting expectations  from consumers, shareholders and employees.

So, amidst all this change, what are the strategic priorities on the global business agenda? How are the best leaders uncovering opportunities for growth and creating value?  

To find out, listen to our podcast: AshurstBusiness Agenda.

Join us, as we tap into Ashurst’s deep industry knowledge and wide network to speak with thought leaders and experts from across the globe. We’ll be covering the key trends and opportunities emerging from advances in data and technology, the energy transition and the changing dynamics impacting banking and finance, real estate & infrastructure and much more.

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode, subscribe to Business Agenda now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your wherever you listen to your podcasts.

2025 is shaping up to be a momentous year for business leaders and those who advise them. Across every sector, powerful forces of change will challenge organisations &nbsp;and create opportunities like never before.
<ul>
<li>This is a time of economic and political change&hellip;</li>
<li>&hellip;a time of digital transformation and energy transition&hellip;</li>
<li>and a time of rapidly shifting expectations &nbsp;from consumers, shareholders and employees.</li>
</ul>
So, amidst all this change, what are the strategic priorities on the global business agenda? How are the best leaders uncovering opportunities for growth and creating value? &nbsp;
To find out, listen to our podcast: Ashurst Business Agenda.
Join us, as we tap into Ashurst&rsquo;s deep industry knowledge and wide network to speak with thought leaders and experts from across the globe. We&rsquo;ll be covering the key trends and opportunities emerging from advances in data and technology, the energy transition and the changing dynamics impacting banking and finance, real estate &amp; infrastructure and much more.
To ensure you don&rsquo;t miss a single episode, subscribe to Business Agenda now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Ashurst Business Agenda Podcast

Ashurst Business Agenda

How can Australia balance its growing appetite for data with its energy transition targets? In this episode we call out the challenges and explore several solutions. 

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