The Victorian Greens are demanding Labor force data centre corporations to compensate residents affected by existing data centres for noise, pollution and property values, as Cabinet meets today to consider restrictions on the industry.
The Greens have written to Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Minister Anthony Carbines laying out urgent demands to protect communities from Labor’s reckless data centre rush:
-Establish a Data Centre Impact Levy, paid by data centre operators, to compensate residents affected by existing facilities, including for any loss of value to their properties.
-Implement an immediate moratorium on new AI data centre approvals and construction until comprehensive, enforceable safeguards are legislated.
-Prohibit new AI data centres in Melbourne’s green wedges and other land of significant agricultural or environmental value.
-Use revenue from the levy to fund broader community and environmental repair in areas carrying the costs of the data centre boom.
-Require full public disclosure of proposed facilities’ energy, water and land requirements, assessment of cumulative impacts and genuine community consultation before any approval.
The Greens believe that there is serious doubt about whether hyperscale AI data centres have a place at all in Victoria, and the above is the bare minimum Labor should agree to.
As stated by Victorian Greens AI and data centres spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“Data centre corporations and the global tech giants stand to make billions in profit, while Victorian families bear the costs- noise, pollution and falling property values.
“If these corporations damage people’s homes, health or quality of life, they must be forced to compensate them in full.
“West Footscray residents could face up to $141 million in community costs, while NEXTDC floated a remuneration package worth up to $112 million for their CEO. That tells you everything about who is benefiting from Labor’s data centre rush.
“Cabinet has an opportunity today to finally put communities ahead of tech-bro billionaires. Anything short of compensation, a moratorium and proper exclusion zones will be another capitulation to the data centre lobby.
“Labor MPs say they support affected communities, but when the Greens gave them the opportunity to stop the frenzy, every one of them voted it down.
“Labor can reign in the data centre giants now- or answer to communities at the election. The Greens will make sure this issue is on the ballot”.
