Arabic version: خضر تسمانيا يطلقون تحقيقاً بشأن مراكز بيانات الذكاء الاصطناعي

According to ABC News, a Tasmanian parliamentary committee has been established to examine the construction and operation of AI data centres, with the Greens seeking to determine what, if any, economic benefit the industry will bring to the state. The inquiry will consider protections for public resources and the environment, as well as ways to ensure Tasmanians receive tangible benefits from new facilities.

The scrutiny follows community concerns about Firmus Technologies’ expansion plans. The company is constructing a $2.1 billion AI factory at St Leonards in Launceston and has lodged development applications for sites at Bell Bay and Wesley Vale. Concerns have included noise, water and energy use, and a lack of consultation.

Greens technology spokesperson Tabatha Badger said the inquiry should examine how laws may need to change across planning, construction and operation. She said it could consider parliamentary oversight of some resource allocation, greater transparency over facilities’ resource use and the jobs they create, and potential guardrails before the industry expands further. The Greens also want approvals paused until laws catch up, but the Tasmanian government has said it will not consider a moratorium.

Business, Industry and Resources Minister Felix Ellis told parliament the government would release its statement of expectations for AI data centres during the current 100 days. He said large centres can involve high energy use and, depending on technology, significant water use, and that operators should pay their way for water and energy. Western Sydney University researcher Ehsan Noroozinejad said renewable electricity was not unlimited and data centres should bring new capacity, pay full infrastructure costs and leave communities measurably better off. Submissions close on September 21, and the inquiry’s recommendations will not be binding.