Firmus Technologies has pulled a reference to using Tasmania’s irrigation network for its proposed Wesley Vale AI factory after being questioned about the plan.
The company briefly stated on the frequently asked questions page for the proposed site that it would likely use Tasmanian Irrigation because TasWater does not service the area.
The line was removed after the company was questioned about it.
Tasmanian Irrigation, the state-owned company that manages irrigation schemes for farmers, said it had made no commitment.
“Tasmanian Irrigation has given no undertaking to Firmus,” a spokesperson said.
“Our legislative framework is set up to enable the supply of water for agriculture and for hydrogen production.”
“Any application for water from industries outside of this would require consideration by the Tasmanian government and engagement with the community, including our customers.”
Innovation, Science and Digital Economy Minister Felix Ellis said the government had not received a proposal.
“If we receive a proposal, we’ll work through that in the usual way,” Ellis said.
He said a draft statement of expectations for data centres and AI infrastructure would be released for public consultation within 100 days.
Firmus told the ABC the information had been published inadvertently.
“We have updated our Wesley Vale FAQs on our website to correct some internal information that was inadvertently published,” the company said.
“We are focused on providing the Tasmanian community with clear and accurate information.”
Greens MP Tabatha Badger said the episode showed why a parliamentary inquiry was needed, arguing companies were providing only “half the details”.
“Tasmanians have been outraged at the absolute lack of any detail in terms of what’s happening with AI and data centre infrastructure across our state,” she said.
“AI and data facilities are an enormous strain on public resources, be it energy or water.”
“We should be able to see, with full transparency, exactly where these centres are going to be getting these public resources from, how much they’re going to be paying for it and what those deals look like.”
Badger said farmers must retain priority access to water and called on the state government to say whether it would approve irrigation water being supplied to an AI facility.
Separately, a decision on Firmus’s Bell Bay proposal has been delayed and will no longer go before the George Town Council on July 28.
The council extended the assessment period, with the company’s support, after receiving significant public feedback.
The application will be considered at a later meeting.
