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Greens demand halt on AI data centres as thousands sign petition

The Greens say a petition calling for a moratorium on AI data centres has drawn more than 4,200 signatures in under a week, reflecting widespread community concern.

David Killick
@davidjkillick
2 min read
June 29, 2026 - 3:06PM

Strong support for a petition calling for a moratorium on artificial intelligence data centres showed the community was concerned by a number of proposals underway or being considered, the Greens say.

The party’s Science and Information Technology spokeswoman Tabatha Badger said the petition had attracted more than 4,200 signatures in under a week.

“This is an unprecedented number by Tasmanian Parliamentary petition standards,” she said.

“Tasmanians were not consulted before the Liberals rushed in to supporting the unregulated expansion of AI data facilities in the state.

“The implications of the expansion of data factories in Tasmania is still unclear, with their large energy and water consumption of particular concern. Questions around waste management and thermal impacts are also unanswered.”

Ms Badger said a trio of proposals by Singaporean company Firmus would require 440MW of electricity, making the start-up the state’s biggest energy consumer.

By contrast with other major industrial power clients, she said, they would result in relatively few long term jobs.

“The interests of Tasmanians should be protected above those of big private tech companies,” she said.

“The Greens and thousands of community members are calling for an immediate moratorium on AI data facilities in the state until guardrails are in place.

“With so many questions remaining unanswered about the impact on the environment and communities of AI data facilities, we need a moratorium until there are guardrails to protect Tasmanian people and our public resources.”

Minister for Planning Kerry Vincent said the new data centres presented both opportunities and challenges.

“How great it is for a business to be investing $2.7bn into Tasmania, that’s just staggering numbers,” he said.

“It is a new industry and it does take a bit to get your head around what data centers are and their requirements and everything.

“It great that 4000 people have stood up and signed a petition for us all to sit back and think about and work through the different processes.

“They have to apply for planning permission like anybody else.

“They have to go through the different levels of departments to make sure that everything is secure for them, and that’s why we have these processes in place.

“What’s also great is that 4000 people had the confidence to put their name on a petition who would like to have more discussion and more information on it, and that’s what we’re here to do as a government: talk to those people and understand it and explain things much better.”

Huh?? I mean the hungry hungry wall is some great meme'ing, but how do you build a massive cement wall and not know why??

Pretty wild story. The video drags it out a bit, certainly didn't need to be a two part story but still worth a watch. Dude was trapped in a cold water rapid for twenty four hours!

Hello! First timer for Dark Mofo here, very keen to get amongst it. Curious to hear what are the don't-miss events or any other tips! I already have tickets to the Night Mass, Baroness, and Imperial Triumphant.

The City of Hobart are hosting a ‘Street to Stage’ fundraising show this weekend for talented local homeless musicians to show off their skills. All funds raised on Saturday will go to Health with Dignity, enabling Hobartians in extreme need to access GP appointments for free.

In short: An emergency department nurse says staff are still traumatised after a doctor was stabbed at a hospital in Tasmania's north-west, but he says the incident is "just the tip of the iceberg"

Won't pay bus drivers more but will bitch about no one wanting to work. 10/10 better economic management.

"It will be an economic game changer for our whole state, and truly supercharge Hobart.

Where are the numbers, Mason? If we had the numbers then maybe people would be able to tell if it's in their best interests. The more you hide this shit away under "commercial confidence" the more people won't trust you.

A feel good story to break the monotony of Liberal shitfuckery. Sometimes Tas Liberals can do good things.

"we're taking the politics out of planning decisions"

Oh, fuck off.

The amalgamations are now voluntary with the councils negotiating between themselves. I think this solution suits us better because everything is smaller in Tassie.

Buckle up Hobart, it's going to be one wild night.

Actual list. 22 overall but the only Oceanic destination that made the shortlist. Whoo! Can't wait for the increased tourist numbers and continuing short-stay boom.

Absolute disgrace no doubt caused by the severe lack of beds at the RHH. Rushing people out the door when they have no transport available.

More of the same problems plaguing the country. Yet nothing is going to be done about it aside from providing subsidies that go straight to the parasites.

The mountain has claimed another victim. The place catches so many off guard because it's 15mins from the CBD and you can drive straight to the top. But the weather can turn on a dime and you're very exposed up there.

"Last week, the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, yet again.

Tasmania's second-largest hospital being on the receiving end of a damning assessment by one of the state's coroners has become a depressingly familiar phenomenon.

This time the LGH earnt the ire of Coroner Simon Cooper for "substandard" medical records that potentially compromised a patient's treatment.

It's the latest in a long list of withering critiques of the hospital, including from staff working within it.

A look back at coronial findings handed down since 2017 reveals eight of them have been critical of the LGH."

Even the cost of living crisis has hit hoons.

They're finally getting around to removing the grave robber's statue. It's been talked about for years and I didn't think it would really happen. Today is a good day.

Melbourne may have won last year but Tas is coming for you again this year.

8,000 is now considered "massive" apparently. When we have a 20k capacity stadium just across the river. The AFL gaslighting isn't going to end anytime soon I see.

Normally you'd expect something more substantial to base a beach closure off but this is Hobart.