Firmus AI data centre approved in Bell Bay, Tasmania

The George Town Council has approved a 288MW AI data centre by Firmus Technologies at Bell Bay, Tasmania. The decision has sparked significant community opposition regarding the environmental and resource impacts of the facility.

Critics and the Tasmanian Greens have raised concerns over the project's energy and water requirements, noting that Firmus will become the state's largest power user. The Bell Bay site is expected to use approximately 8.7 million litres of water annually. A petition calling for a moratorium on new AI and data facilities has garnered over 9,000 signatures.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff stated he welcomes AI investment and aims to keep the state open for business, though he noted the importance of establishing guardrails that are not too restrictive. The approval comes as the Australian federal government prepares to discuss nationwide obligations regarding the energy and water consumption of data centres.