Locals protest against proposed AI data centre in Adelaide Hills
Community rallies against the potential AI data centre have drawn support from opposition parties, with locals saying they will use all legal means to stop an application.
A 1,200MW AI data centre proposed for the Adelaide Hills has sparked protests from local residents. Quantum DC, the company behind the facility, has postponed two community consultation sessions due to safety concerns. Instead, locals gathered in Tungkillo and Mannum for rallies and meetings, opposing the construction on land use, water supplies, and noise/light pollution impacts.
Quantum DC claims it will not submit a development application until November, after conducting community consultation. The project would occupy 120 hectares, roughly a third of Adelaide's CBD, and be larger than SpaceX's Colossus campus. Planning Minister Nick Champion stated that any data centre application must pass through a rigorous planning system, but government members did not attend Saturday's Mannum meeting.
While Liberal Party, Greens, and One Nation members support the local push, they differ on how to address data centres in South Australia, with One Nation's Carlos Quaremba advocating for a risk-versus-reward approach and a potential tri-party alliance.
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