NSW to Fast-Track Data Centres Despite Community Concerns
Topic: AI
Data centres are a big issue for communities in NSW.
In short:
The NSW government will assess data centre applications within 75 days if builders follow new rules.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says data centre builders will pay for new clean energy.
Some community groups do not want data centres near their homes.
A new government plan helps data centre builders who follow the rules.
Builders must meet environmental and efficiency standards and pay for extra water and energy.
They must also help local communities and invest in new industries.
The state government will assess their applications quickly.
19 more data centres are being built in NSW.
'We need to replace old energy sources'
There are over 60 data centres in NSW, and 19 more are planned.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey worked on the new rules for over a year.
The new policy ensures data centres use renewable energy and do not harm the environment.
Data centre builders will pay for new clean energy.
Daniel Mookhey announced the new plan on Monday.
The government wants to replace old energy sources with clean power.
Minister Penny Sharpe says applications will be assessed strictly.
Data centres will use a lot of energy by 2030.
Penny Sharpe says the guidelines consider the environment.
The framework helps builders who follow the rules.
Builders who do not follow the rules might have their plans rejected.
Treasurer Mookhey says builders who do not comply will take a risk.
Data centres face opposition
A group of students and community organisers protested data centres in Western Sydney.
Gokulan Gopal spoke at the protest, asking about water and power for new data centres.
Gokulan Gopal questions the impact of data centres on the community.
He asked about water, power, waste, and backups for data centres.
Sophie Shanaaz opposes data centres in Western Sydney.
She says data centres use too many resources and are not well regulated.
She lives near a data centre and wants more regulation.
Treasurer Mookhey knows about community concerns.
He says the new rules will address these concerns.
Data centres must bring power, not take it.
Builders who do not follow the rules might have their plans rejected.
Water usage is addressed in the guidelines
Data centre builders must sign contracts with renewable energy providers.
This will reduce household bills.
Data centres use a lot of water.
The guidelines set water usage standards and encourage investment in water infrastructure.
Sydney is experiencing a data centre boom.
The framework includes a water pricing review.
A new Office of AI will be established to coordinate government investment.
The new framework and Office of AI start on Monday.
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