{
  "id": 18455835,
  "title": "Data centre plan could bring water into Queensland, minister says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/data-centre-plan-could-bring-water-into-queensland-minister-says",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-06T06:04:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-06/data-centre-oil-exploration-qld-water-sources-ann-leahy/107355512"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Queensland Water Minister Ann Leahy announced that the rapid industrial expansion in Western Downs could attract private investment in major infrastructure projects. She highlighted that Murray-Darling Basin buybacks have reduced water availability for industry and agriculture in the region. The Crisafulli government is exploring options to secure new water supplies to support industrial growth in Western Downs. The proposed $32 billion data centre, oil and gas exploration in Taroom Trough, and agriculture and feedlot industry have garnered support from the Crisafulli government. To expand these projects, new water sources must be identified, and Leahy mentioned the potential for investment in the Nathan Dam, a long-discussed $3.4 billion project. Leahy blamed the federal government for taking water away from the region through buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin, making it difficult for industries to trade water back. The Western Downs Mayor emphasized that Nathan Dam near Taroom is the most critical water project in modern Queensland history. Zerra DC, the developer behind the proposed data centre, claims its operations will be water-neutral through air-cooling technology, rainwater harvesting, and recycled water from nearby coal-seam gas projects. However, environmental expert Michael Vardon raised concerns about indirect water usage due to fossil fuel reliance at the site, which could be equivalent to a quarter of the state's energy usage. The proposed data centre is planned to connect to a major substation, three gas-fired power plants, and utilize solar, wind, and battery storage systems. Despite concerns from protesters about the speed of the AI boom and the lack of proper regulations, Zerra DC remains confident in the industry's growth potential.",
  "summary": "Queensland Water Minister Ann Leahy says rapid industrial growth in the Western Downs could help drive private investment in major water infrastructure projects, including the long-discussed Nathan Dam project.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}