Australian company Sharon AI buys former Visy paper mill site at Ettamogah
An AI company confirms it has purchased a large paper mill site in Ettamogah, north of Albury, but is yet to disclose why.
Australian AI firm Sharon AI acquired the former Visy paper mill site in Ettamogah, north of Albury. Local residents are worried about the potential transformation of the site into an industrial facility. Sharon AI, headquartered in Sydney and New York, is a high-operating computing company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and equipment rentals.
The company plans to consult with the community, but has not disclosed its future plans for the site. Albury residents, concerned about the environmental impact and the health of local flora and fauna, have expressed their concerns. The town is home to one existing data centre, situated near Albury Airport. The NSW government has introduced measures to encourage data centre developers to adhere to new guidelines, focusing on energy usage, water usage, and local amenity.
Albury Mayor Kevin Mack stated that any development would be evaluated through regular planning procedures. The Australian Energy Market Operator reported that data centres consume about 3% of Australia's electricity, a figure forecast to rise to 13% by 2035. Experts suggest that early community engagement and transparency are crucial to addressing local concerns.
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