AI data centres to self-administer funds in Tasmanian community deal
Tasmanian data centre proponents would self-administer their own community benefit funds under a proposal from the state government.
Tasmania's AI data centre deal will require companies to fund community benefit funds. Businesses must pay $3,000 per megawatt of contracted energy annually. Each data centre would operate its own fund, governed by local people and representatives. Premier Jeremy Rockliff outlined these expectations on Friday, emphasizing transparent governance and public reporting.
For Firmus, the largest AI data centre company, a 104MW facility would contribute $312,000 per year. The state government plans a single fund with local oversight, to be reviewed in six months. Critics question whether these companies will genuinely invest in community needs, citing concerns about energy and water sources for the AI data factories.
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