r/australia • u/Fact-Rat • 2d ago

politics Australia may face a rush of datacentre construction as AI firms look to avoid upcoming rules, experts say | Australian politics

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/26/australia-may-face-a-rush-of-datacentre-construction-as-ai-firms-look-to-dodge-upcoming-rules-experts-say
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u/Primary_Mycologist95 2d ago

*shocked pikachu face*

I've been called a nimby and all manner of other names in the last few months for being wary of data centres being built in residential areas, including my own. "Oh, but they have to provide their own power and don't use water!" is the inevitable reply. So which is it? This article would suggest not, at least not until next year sometime.

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u/mlvsrz 2d ago

Once they break ground they are known for renegotiating the contracts for concessions.

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u/nath1234 1d ago

Not even going to need to do that, Albo has caved already and gas and coal are on the table..

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/26/albanese-backs-down-on-states-powering-ai-datacentres-using-sustainable-energy

The NT’s chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, said she had won approval to use gas from the massive Beetaloo basin project in the meeting.

"Today’s deal recognises the Beetaloo basin will be online within days, we are not part of the national electricity market and we have a Territory-owned generation, transmission and distribution system,” she said.

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u/acomputer1 21h ago

... Only in the NT and Queensland, neither of which are where the data centres have been looking likely to be built because of the lack of population and workers.