Data centres are facing a growing backlash, and the Northern Territory (NT) is at the forefront of this debate. With plans for a wave of data centres in the region, residents are raising concerns about water use, noise, and gas-powered energy. The NT government's ambitious goal of becoming the 'data centre capital of the globe' has sparked fear and anxiety among locals, who worry about the environmental impact and lack of long-term benefits for their communities.
One resident, Harvey Jupp, expresses his concerns about the rapid expansion of data centres, stating that they extract vast amounts of resources and export data without creating long-term jobs. He fears that the NT's environment will be destroyed if these centres become a reality. The very nature of data centres, requiring massive computing power, land, and water, has raised red flags. The Beetaloo Basin's gas, which the NT government promotes as a power source, is a major point of contention.
Pauline Cass, a nearby resident and Litchfield councillor, shares Jupp's concerns. She worries about the noise, water consumption, and pollution that these data centres might bring. Cass highlights the potential strain on groundwater and bore water in the rural areas, emphasizing the need for clear benefits to the local community. The federal government's pledge to require data centres to run on renewable energy is seen as a potential solution, but residents still question the NT government's promotion of gas from the Beetaloo Basin.
The meeting also brought to light the unknowns surrounding data centres and their operations. Bree Ahrens, a senior climate campaigner, calls for minimum standards to be established before the industry expands further. She emphasizes the need for clear exclusions for fracked gas and informed consent from traditional owners. The growing global backlash against data centres, as noted by Accela Research's Shu Ling, further underscores the urgency of addressing these concerns.
As the debate continues, the NT government faces a challenging task. It must balance the economic benefits of the data centre industry with the environmental and social concerns of its residents. The call for a moratorium on data centres is growing, and the government's response will shape the future of the region's relationship with this controversial technology.
