Western Australia’s digital infrastructure has just taken another major step forward, with global contractor Multiplex topping out Stage Two of NEXTDC’s P1 Perth data centre, a key milestone in the tech giant’s $110 million expansion in Malaga.
The project is one of the most technically complex data centre builds underway in the country, doubling the current IT capacity of P1 Perth and strengthening Australia’s position in the global cloud, commerce and AI race.
Located at 4 Millrose Drive, north of Perth’s CBD, the five-level facility is the fifth NEXTDC data centre delivered by Multiplex nationwide. This long-term partnership now represents more than 500MW of IT capacity constructed across Australia, underscoring both companies’ role in supporting the nation’s fast-evolving digital economy.
With the building now reaching its highest point, Multiplex will begin the next phase of works, including major fit-out across the new plantrooms, offices and data halls. Practical completion of Stage Two is scheduled for Quarter 3, 2026.
A Highly Technical Build in a Live, Sensitive Environment
Unlike typical commercial construction, data centres demand precision, redundancy and resilience. Stage Two of P1 Perth has carried extra complexity due to its proximity to the live, operational Stage One facility.
Multiplex’s Western Australia Regional Managing Director, Chris Palandri, said the milestone reflects the builder’s depth of expertise in delivering high-specification, mission-critical projects.
“We are proud to reach this exciting milestone and help NEXTDC deliver a critical expansion of Australia’s digital infrastructure. The technical nature of this project has required meticulous construction. It reflects our experience delivering intricate projects in live, sensitive environments and our ability to mobilise our specialist workforce,” Mr Palandri said.
Stage Two has had 95 workers onsite daily, accumulating 154,055 hours so far.
The expansion will ultimately include two additional data halls and extended central plant and services infrastructure to support NEXTDC’s continually growing digital footprint in WA.
Largest Satellite Antenna Array in Western Australia
As part of Stage Two, Multiplex installed what is now the largest satellite antenna array in Western Australia, significantly expanding NEXTDC’s connectivity capabilities.
This installation cements P1 Perth as a critical hub in the state’s telecommunications and cloud services landscape, enabling higher bandwidth, broader network reach and improved resilience for enterprise and government customers.
A Sustainability-Led Build
With data centres among the most energy and resource-intensive assets in the built environment, sustainability has been a major focus throughout the project.
Key initiatives include:
Electric crane operations
Multiplex deployed an electric crane to reduce noise, emissions and onsite fuel usage.
Green concrete
The use of low-carbon concrete mixes has led to a 65 percent reduction in embodied carbon compared to conventional cement.
Prefabrication for efficiency
Prefabricated risers, header pipework and reinforcement cages are cutting waste, improving build quality and reducing onsite congestion.
Local procurement shift
Multiplex opted for locally manufactured aluminium and precast panels, easing supply chain risk and supporting WA industry.
Water efficiency design
P1 Perth has been engineered to achieve a minimum 5-Star WELS water rating, reducing long-term resource use.
These measures align with NEXTDC’s broader sustainability commitments and reflect a growing trend in data centre construction: balancing rapid digital growth with responsible environmental practice.
Social Inclusion and Industry Development
Beyond sustainability, Multiplex has embedded social value initiatives into delivery of Stage Two.
A major component has been engaging Rigsafe, a 100 percent Indigenous-owned rigging business, as a key onsite partner.
The construction workforce has also benefited from structured upskilling and career progression:
- Local trainees have gained exposure to advanced mechanical and electrical environments.
- Apprentices within subcontractor teams have been promoted through performance-based opportunities.
- High-tech construction processes have provided pathways into emerging industry specialisations.
For WA’s workforce, these are more than numbers – they are skills that directly feed into the state’s growing pipeline of infrastructure and digital economy projects.
A Strategic Project for WA’s Digital Future
Data demand in Western Australia is accelerating rapidly. AI workloads, cloud migration, defence sector projects and the state’s booming resources industry are all increasing the need for safe, resilient and scalable digital infrastructure.
The P1 Perth expansion delivers:
- Greater capacity for cloud and enterprise data
- Improved resilience for government and mission-critical systems
- Enhanced connectivity for businesses servicing mining and energy operations
- Futureproofing for AI and high-performance computing growth
For builders, engineers, and suppliers in the construction sector, the project highlights ongoing demand for highly technical builds across Australia from data centres to advanced manufacturing, health precincts and energy assets.
Multiplex’s work on P1 Perth sits alongside other major NEXTDC facilities delivered nationally, including S2 Sydney in Macquarie Park, Stages One and Two of S3 Sydney in Artarmon, and the expansion now underway at B2 Brisbane in Fortitude Valley.
As Australia’s digital economy continues to scale, these projects are becoming essential infrastructure – as fundamental as roads, rail and water.
What’s Next
With the structure now topped out, the focus shifts to the meticulous interior fit-out that defines high-grade data centre performance. This includes:
- Mechanical plant installation
- Electrical systems integration
- Fire protection and security systems
- Data hall cabling and commissioning
- Final testing and reliability verification
Stage Two remains on track for completion in Q3 2026, strengthening Western Australia’s position as a national and international digital gateway.
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