Australian councils caught off‑guard by $2 bn AI data centre projects

Singapore‑based Firmus Technologies is planning a $2.1 billion artificial‑intelligence factory in the Launceston suburb of St Leonards, Tasmania. At the same time, the firm has proposed a large‑scale AI facility on farmland near the River Murray at Tailem Bend, South Australia. In Victoria, developers Resi Ventures and X2M announced a data‑centre and renewable‑energy precinct at Miners Rest near Ballarat via an Australian Securities Exchange filing, but the City of Ballarat confirmed no planning application had been lodged.

Local councils in the three states say they received little or no warning about the projects. Officials and residents learned of the developments from market announcements, leaked documents and late public meetings, raising concerns about water use, agricultural land and the possibility of bypassing standard local‑planning processes. Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves and Coorong District Council acting mayor Jonathan Pietzsch emphasised the need for greater transparency and community engagement.