cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/37914432
Environs KImberley is asking us to send a submission (pre-filled) to the EPA.
Federal public comment is now open on the Kimberley’s first large-scale AI data centre proposal. It's thought that this AI data centre, if approved, will be used to help train AI models internationally.
Located 100 km south of Broome on iconic pindan country, and just 15 km south-east of Bidyadanga, Gingerah Energy’s 'Meridien' proposal has a monstrous footprint, around 3.3 times larger than Sydney Harbour.
The proposal is a joint venture between Fugro Exploration Pty Ltd, a primarily Dutch-owned company, and Longreach Renewable Energies Pty Ltd. Its parent company, Longreach Capital Investment Pty Ltd, owns Theia Energy, a company that has previously applied to the WA EPA to undertake fracking in the Kimberley.
The proposal lies within known habitat for threatened species, including the Greater Bilby and Blue-tongue Skink and raises serious concerns about impacts on migratory birds and water resources.
Please take action: We are calling for the referral to be rejected under s76 of the EPBC Act due to insufficient information in the referral documentation presented by the proponent. There’s not enough information about impacts to migratory birds, impacts from groundwater extraction and where the gas for the proposed 1,500 MW gas-fired power station would come from. One of the companies involved with this proposal owns Theia Energy Pty Ltd which applied to do fracking in the Kimberley and then withdrew the proposal.
Once the company provides the required information, the proposal should be assessed under the EPBC Act at the highest level.
