Arabic version: طلاب ساحل الشمس يتظاهرون ضد مركز بيانات الذكاء الاصطناعي الجديد
High school and university students on the Sunshine Coast have united to protest against the construction of a $200 million AI data centre in Maroochydore. This facility, being developed by NEXTDC in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council and Google, has sparked concerns over its environmental and social impacts.
According to ABC News, the five-storey NEXTDC SC2 data centre is set to become one of 162 data centres operating across Australia, with at least 90 more planned nationwide. The students argue that the rapid expansion of such infrastructure into suburban areas necessitates stronger regulations.
The Climate Council of Australia reported that data centres consumed about 4 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024-25, equivalent to the power usage of over 700,000 homes. The protestors, led by 16-year-old Ruby Dyer, express concerns not only about the Maroochydore facility but also about the broader implications of AI on employment and environmental sustainability. Dyer emphasized the need for regulations to address these issues.
University student Kate McGeechan, who participated in the protest, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential risks of over-reliance on AI in various professions. The students are planning further actions, including a social media campaign to raise awareness about regulations concerning AI data centres.
While the Sunshine Coast Council maintains that the new facility will promote economic growth and digital resilience, it remains unclear how the environmental assessments will be handled, as the council did not respond to specific inquiries regarding this aspect.
