Arabic version: جورج تاون توافق على مركز بيانات للذكاء الاصطناعي تابع لشركة فيرموس

According to ABC News, George Town Council has approved Firmus Technologies’ proposed 288-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre at the former Gunns pulp mill site at Long Reach, in northern Tasmania. Six of the seven councillors present voted for the development in the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone, while Winston Archer voted against it.

The decision followed substantial public opposition. Council received 349 submissions on the proposal, and an electronic petition carrying nearly 6,000 signatures urged councillors to reject it. About 80 people also protested outside the council building before the vote, raising concerns about power and water use, pollution and environmental effects.

Council planners had recommended approval with conditions, saying some issues raised by residents were outside the matters the planning scheme allowed the council to consider. People who made representations to the council can appeal the decision through the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 14 days.

Firmus must meet several conditions before and after construction. It must submit a new bushfire and emergency management plan before building starts, after incorrectly listing 128 diesel generators rather than 276. The generators may be used only during an unscheduled mains-power interruption, for inspection, testing or maintenance, or during a genuine emergency. The council also set a 24-hour annual combined limit on operating more than one diesel generator simultaneously.

The company must conduct a noise survey within 60 days of operations beginning and provide an air-quality assessment within 12 months. Firmus said approval was an important milestone and that the project is expected to create more than 380 construction jobs and support more than 115 permanent local roles once operational. The approval would make Firmus Tasmania’s largest power user, ahead of major industrial users including Bell Bay Aluminium.