{
  "id": 1781928,
  "title": "Tasmania inquiry to weigh costs, benefits of new AI data centres",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/tasmania-inquiry-to-weigh-costs-benefits-of-new-ai-data-centres",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-18T19:18:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/ai-data-centre-inquiry-tasmanian-greens/107050792"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry is underway to assess the costs and benefits of new AI data centres in the state. This move follows increasing community concerns regarding the construction and operation of these facilities, which are becoming more prevalent across Australia. The inquiry will examine various aspects, including the environmental impact, economic advantages, and potential drawbacks such as increased energy and water consumption.\n\nThe Tasmanian Greens, the primary driving force behind the inquiry, advocate for a guiding principle that data centres should ultimately leave communities measurably better off. They argue that existing national planning and environmental laws, while positive, are not stringent enough to regulate these large, clustered data centres. The inquiry is set to run until September 21, with submissions already open.\n\nFirmus Technologies is a leading company behind the push for new data centres in Tasmania. They are currently constructing a $2.1 billion AI factory in the suburb of St Leonards. Other developments have been proposed for Bell Bay and Wesley Vale. However, these projects have raised objections from local communities concerned about noise, water and energy use, and a lack of consultation.\n\nEhsan Noroozinejad, a principal researcher at Western Sydney University, highlights the significant electricity and water demand of data centres and the associated pressure on household bills, diesel emissions, noise, land use, and limited ongoing employment. While Australia's planning and environmental laws are not designed for such large facilities, Dr Noroozinejad believes Tasmania has a unique opportunity to become a responsible data centre destination due to its renewable energy resources.\n\nThe Greens are calling for stricter regulations and a moratorium on further approvals until these laws have caught up with the rapid expansion of the AI and data centre industry. In the meantime, the government has stated that it will not consider a moratorium, but will release its statement of expectations for AI data centres in the coming days. The inquiry's recommendations, while not binding, aim to ensure that data centres serve Tasmania and provide economic benefits for the state.",
  "summary": "With communities around the world grappling with the spread of AI data centres, the Tasmanian Greens have set up an inquiry to examine \"what, if any, economic benefit\" they will bring to the state.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tasmanian inquiry assesses costs, benefits of new AI data centres",
    "Greens advocate for better-off communities, call for stricter regulations",
    "Firmus Technologies constructing $2.1B AI factory in St Leonards"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}