Tasmanian council approves 288MW AI datacentre amid community opposition and federal regulatory plans
Consensus Summary
Tasmania’s George Town Council approved a 288-megawatt AI datacentre by Firmus Technologies at Long Reach, near Bell Bay, despite strong community opposition and nearly 6,000 petition signatures. The 6-1 vote came after over 300 public submissions raised concerns about energy use, AI impacts, and environmental risks, though the council ruled these were outside its planning authority. The decision follows federal plans by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to legislate a nationally consistent regulatory framework for large datacentres from early next year, which some locals argue should delay local approvals. Meanwhile, Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority issued its first-ever objection to a datacentre, opposing a 366MW project in Melbourne’s north. Firmus, which is also building a 104MW datacentre in Launceston and has plans for a 52MW site in Wesley Vale, welcomed the approval and will now proceed with design and construction, subject to conditions including noise assessments and diesel generator restrictions. Protesters, including long-term residents and young activists, vowed to appeal the decision, arguing local councils lack the expertise to assess such projects.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- George Town Council voted 6-1 to approve Firmus Technologies' 288MW AI datacentre at Long Reach, near Bell Bay, on Tuesday
- A petition calling to stop the datacentre had nearly 6,000 signatures
- More than 300 people wrote submissions on the application to the council
- People who raised objections to the proposal will have 14 days from Tuesday to appeal against the decision
- Firmus is currently building a 104-megawatt AI datacentre in the Launceston suburb of St Leonards, slated to begin operating early next year
- The Australian Energy Market Operator reported 225 datacentres in development across the country
- Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority issued its first objection to a datacentre in the state, opposing Zerra DC’s 366MW, $1.1bn campus at Campbellfield
- The council imposed a 24-hour combined yearly limit on the simultaneous operation of more than one diesel generator
- The council stipulated diesel generators must only operate during unscheduled failures, maintenance, or emergencies
- Anthony Albanese announced after national cabinet that the government would legislate from early next year a nationally consistent regulatory framework for large datacentres
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The day before Albanese secured agreement with states and territories to develop national datacentre standards, George Town Council voted on the datacentre
- Councillor Heather Ashley called it 'probably one of my hardest decisions while I’ve been on council in the last four years'
- The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for a moratorium on new AI datacentres until the rules are in place
- A spokesperson for Firmus said the project would now progress through design, procurement, and construction planning
- The council’s agenda document noted concerns about AI and 'commonwealth regulation' were outside its scope
- George Town mayor Greg Kieser stated the council’s role is limited to determining if the proposal is compliant with planning codes
- Planning officers recommended an updated noise emissions assessment and a noise verification survey within 60 days of commencing operation
- Firmus incorrectly reported the number of diesel generators as 128 instead of 276, requiring a new bushfire and emergency management plan
- Ayla Heawood, 15, protested outside the council building, saying residents have a right to know about water and power usage
- Katherine Collins, who has lived in George Town for 25 years, believes decisions should be made by the state government, not local councils
- Firmus has submitted a development application for a 52-megawatt AI datacentre at Wesley Vale in Tasmania’s north-west
- About 80 people gathered outside the George Town Council building ahead of the vote to protest the datacentre
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states the petition had nearly 6,000 signatures, while the ABC states it had more than 5,000 signatures
- The Guardian says the council voted 6-1, but the ABC lists the voting councillors as Greg Kieser, Greg Dawson, Heather Ashley, Simone Lowe, Winston Mason, and Jason Orr (6 votes) with Winston Archer dissenting (1 vote), which aligns with 6-1
- The Guardian mentions a petition with nearly 6,000 signatures, while the ABC mentions a petition with more than 5,000 signatures and 349 submissions, but the Guardian states more than 300 submissions
Source Articles
‘Reluctant’ approval for Tasmanian datacentre sets marker for national battle
Concerns over planning process as George Town council gives go-ahead for 288MW AI factory despite opposition from locals Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The day before Anthony Albanese secured agreement with states and territories to develop national datacentre standards , a small council in Tasmania was grappling with the existing regulations in the face of strong community opposition to a new AI factory planned for its town. The George Town council voted 6-1 to app
Firmus AI data centre gets tick from planners ahead of council vote
Council planners have recommended that councillors approve a proposed 288-megawatt AI data centre at the site of the former Gunns Pulp Mill.
AI data centre proposal approved by Tasmanian council
Firmus Technologies' proposed 288-megawatt AI data centre near Long Reach in Tasmania's north has received council approval.
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