Latrobe Council inspects work at AI data center site in Australia — ABC News Australia
Latrobe Council in Australia is inspecting work at the site of Firmus Technologies’ future artificial intelligence data center in Wesley Vale. The municipality said some of the work may go beyond the approved forestry works plan, while the application to build the 52-megawatt facility has not yet received a final decision.
As ABC News Australia reports, the council postponed consideration of Firmus’ application and asked the Tasmanian government to assess the project as a major project. Latrobe Mayor Peter Freshney said the company had agreed to stop work while the council carries out further checks.
Concerns over the scale of earthworks
According to Freshney, the approved plan permits tree felling, stump removal, mulching and weed control. At the same time, he said, the council is observing earthworks on a scale that is likely not covered by that plan. Temporary structures, soil embankments and gravel were also spotted at the site.
The mayor stressed that authorities seek to determine whether the work was illegal. If it is confirmed that it was carried out outside the permitted plan, the council may issue an order to stop it.
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Firmus Technologies said the work is part of general site maintenance and is unrelated to the construction application. A company representative said planning approval was not required for these activities and that the work would continue for approximately four weeks. Major work on the broader project, Firmus said, will not begin until all necessary permits are obtained.
Tasmanian government’s consideration of the project
Latrobe Council is asking Tasmania’s Planning Minister, Kerry Vincent, to consider the data center project as a major project. Local councils and residents have expressed concern that current planning rules do not allow AI data centers to be properly assessed. During consideration of another Firmus data center in Long Reach, planners at Georgetown Council said issues of electricity and water consumption were outside their authority.
Vincent told Wesley Vale residents that he is considering the council’s request. According to him, because the request was initiated by the council rather than Firmus, the government still needs additional information. Once a full major project proposal is submitted, further consultations are to be held, including a 28-day period for public comments.
Firmus also announced plans to build a separate research and development facility in Wesley Vale to test energy storage systems and power management technologies. This project will undergo a separate approval process.
