Datacentres located within residential precincts across Victoria will face a prohibition under new regulations introduced by the state government. The rules, which also require facilities to source their power from renewable energy and make contributions to the surrounding community, were approved by cabinet on Monday.
Premier Ben Carroll is scheduled to unveil the government’s sustainable datacentre action plan on Tuesday. The measures aim to address concerns regarding the placement of these large-scale facilities near homes, schools, and childcare centres.
Is this actually enforceable? I’d love to believe it, but we’ve seen similar promises fizzle out before the next election cycle rolls around.
Good to see renewable energy being mandated. We need these facilities for the economy, but they absolutely cannot come at the cost of the environment.
I wonder how much the community contribution tax will actually cost developers. Hoping it’s a real fee and not just a token donation.
Finally, some common sense! Keeping massive industrial sites away from our homes and schools is exactly what this government should have done sooner.