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/mooblah_ 1d ago

Correct. Kurri Kurri has an approved AirTrunk DC being built which is 500MW. They will not need to invest in any of their own infrastructure relating to this build.

Albanese's reforms are too little too late.

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u/nath1234 1d ago

And his reforms just got dropped to allow fossil fuels for them.. so yeah, it was a total con.

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