Data centre gas plant consultation skipped after legal threat, staffer says
The NSW Department of Planning has admitted it made an error when it skipped consultation with key agencies regarding a proposal for a major gas plant to power data centres.
The NSW Department of Planning (DPHI) has failed to consult key agencies before setting assessment requirements for a proposed 675-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Moss Vale, which would power a data centre campus. This decision came after a senior planning official received an email stating that the developer threatened legal action, prompting the department to skip consultation.
Greens MP Sue Higginson expressed shock at the revelation, calling it "massive cause for concern" and indicating a potential problem with the planning system being easily coerced. The proposed plant, one of the largest in NSW, would run a data centre campus. The NSW government has since admitted the mistake and promised to consult agencies during the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement and when the development application is lodged.
However, critics argue that this approach is tokenistic and undermines community trust in the planning system.
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.
