Socialist Alliance NSW calls for moratorium on AI mega data centres

Socialist Alliance NSW said it wholeheartedly supports community calls for a moratorium on the construction of artificial intelligence mega data centres.

“The expansion of mega data centres in Australia is mostly unregulated. Many of the industrial sites slated for mega data centres are right next to residential areas,” Isaac Nellist who is standing for Socialist Alliance in Balmain, told Green Left.

There are 47 artificial intelligence (AI) mega data centres being planned in NSW, including 20 State Significant Developments and 15 key projects.

“These mega data centres mostly use excessive water and energy and are likely to destabilise local supplies. We note that the Victorian government has moved to quell legitimate community anxiety about the rapid construction of these mega data centres.

“It says it will ‘set the rules’, including that they must use their own renewable energy supply and storage, meet connection costs and network upgrades and use recycled or non-drinking water for cooling.

“But another key issue is where these constructions are sited: Victorian Labor has promised a ‘buffer’ between homes and data centres — but of only 150 metres. This will not allay community concerns about noise and other pollution.”