More than 4,000 Tasmanians have signed petitions opposing AI data centres, as plans to expand the power-hungry industry progress.
Much of the concern is focused on a proposed Firmus Technologies data centre at Bell Bay, near George Town in Tasmania’s north, on the former Gunns pulp mill site.
A Change.org petition opposing the project has attracted more than 3,500 signatures.
A separate House of Assembly e-petition calling for a moratorium on all unfinished AI facilities has just over 500 signatures.
Residents say they are worried about how much power and water the centres will use and that they have had little say in the process.
The Bell Bay site would use up to 288 megawatts of power.
That would make it Tasmania’s second-largest power user, behind the Bell Bay aluminium smelter, which draws 335 megawatts and employs more than 550 people.
Firmus is also building a $2 billion centre at St Leonards, near Launceston.
Together, the two sites would use close to 15% of Tasmania’s current grid capacity, unless more power is generated.
Asked on Tuesday about the lack of consultation, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Firmus needed to do more.
“This is a huge opportunity for Tasmania,” he said.
“It brings in investment and jobs, a new industry and an industry that is paying top dollar for Tasmania’s power, which benefits Tasmanians.”
The Greens have called for a parliamentary inquiry into AI and data centres in Tasmania and tabled a motion requesting one last week.
Greens MP Tabatha Badger said the government’s planned “expectations” for the industry did not go far enough.
“The rapid pace of AI and data facility expansion is unprecedented and it is essential that the groundwork is done now to ensure Tasmanians and Tasmania’s best interests are protected ahead of those of overseas big tech billionaires,” she said.
The state’s peak technology body has also called for clear rules.
“AI currently has a trust issue and gaining trust means being transparent at every step, including how the infrastructure itself is first constructed,” TasICT chief executive Russell Kelly said.
“Clear expectations from the state government will help proponents, councils and communities understand what responsible AI infrastructure should look like in Tasmania and how we can benefit.”
Firmus has agreed to extend consultation by 14 days after more than 120 people attended a public meeting in Exeter.
The George Town Council is expected to consider the application in August.
