Arabic version: سكان داروين يطالبون بتجميد إنشاء مراكز البيانات

According to ABC News, dozens of Darwin residents voiced strong opposition and “extreme concern” over planned data centres in the Northern Territory at a community meeting held by Independent Member for Johnston Justine Davis. More than 60 people attended, with many calling for a moratorium until new regulations are in place.

Residents raised concerns about water use, noise and the prospect of gas-powered energy for the industry. Harvey Jupp said data centres worked for big technology corporations and did not create long-term jobs for communities. He said he feared multiple centres could emerge in the NT and damage the environment.

The NT government says 12 data centre developers are eyeing the territory. Trade, Business and Asian Relations Minister Robyn Cahill said last month that she wanted the Territory to become “the data centre capital of the globe”, powered by gas from the Beetaloo Basin. A spokesperson said Cahill could not comment on a possible moratorium because she was overseas.

Next DC is building a second small data centre in central Darwin. The territory government has also backed a $40 billion proposal by a Beetaloo Energy subsidiary for a hyper-scale AI data centre at Weddell, on Darwin’s outskirts. Nearby resident and Litchfield councillor Pauline Cass said she was worried about potential noise and water consumption, noting rural residents relied heavily on groundwater and bore water.

Environment Centre NT senior climate campaigner Bree Ahrens called for minimum standards before the sector expands further, including an exclusion for fracked gas and free, prior and informed consent from traditional owners. Accela Research chief executive Shu Ling said opposition to data centres was growing globally and that clear guardrails were needed before the industry advanced too far.