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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.

AI data centre proposal approved by Tasmanian council

Tasmania's George Town council has approved a plan for an $288 million AI data centre at the former Gunns pulp mill site in Long Reach, despite strong community opposition. Out of seven present councillors, six voted in favor of the 288-megawatt development, proposed by Firmus Technologies. The project faces numerous conditions, including a noise survey within 60 days, an air quality assessment within 12 months, and a new bushfire and emergency management plan before commencing construction.

Firmus will also be bound to operate its diesel generators only under specific circumstances and limit simultaneous operation to one generator at a time. The council received 349 public submissions and nearly 6,000 signatures on an electronic petition urging a project rejection.

Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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