BREAKING: Hume Council has just announced a significant policy shift aimed at regulating the rapid proliferation of data centres in the municipality. During a critical council meeting on August 25, officials endorsed a motion to develop a draft policy framework that will govern data centre applications, marking Hume as the first council in Victoria to take such decisive action.
Councillor Kurt raised alarms over the environmental toll and infrastructure strain caused by these facilities, describing them as a “wicked problem” due to their substantial consumption of resources with minimal community benefits. “They are huge in scale, consuming massive amounts of water and electricity whilst offering little back to the community in terms of jobs,” he stated.
The urgency of this policy stems from ongoing challenges in Tullamarine, where the NextDC facility has exacerbated parking shortages and diminished community amenities. Similar issues are now emerging in Craigieburn and expanding areas, where developers are pursuing new data centre projects, raising concerns about further pressure on local water and power supplies.
Recent reports from across Australia have highlighted the alarming water consumption of data centres, with some projects prioritized over essential housing developments. Hume Council fears that without stringent regulations, the needs of its rapidly growing population may be overlooked.
Many data centre proposals are currently assessed directly at a ministerial level, bypassing local council oversight and limiting community engagement. “They send their projects straight to the minister for approval, often in new precinct structure plans where they can bypass council and communities with little scrutiny,” Cr Kurt emphasized.
As part of the new initiative, council officers will prepare a comprehensive briefing note addressing critical issues such as water usage, energy demands, and environmental impacts. They will also explore advocacy opportunities with state and federal authorities to push for stronger regulations and planning controls.
Residents and local businesses are urged to stay informed as Hume Council takes these pivotal steps in managing the impacts of data centre growth. The council’s proactive approach aims to balance technological advancement with the community’s needs, ensuring that local voices are heard in future developments.
Next steps: Hume Council plans to engage in discussions with state and federal authorities to secure stronger regulations, emphasizing the importance of sustainable growth that benefits the community. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
