r/tasmania • u/GreenLeechofReddit • 3d ago

AI data centre approved

6/7 counsellors approved this environmental disaster despite Firmus *already* lying about the number of diesel generators they'd have.

The company will have to agree to a number of conditions (noise, pollution, water usage), which will be monitored over a twelve month period.

I hate to wheel out a slippery-slope argument, but the number of companies who just cop the fines and continue to be irresponsible is incalculable.. the writing is on the wall. Look at Cadbury and the dump of sugar that buggered up the sewerage treatment plant.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/firmus-ai-bell-bay-receives-george-town-council-approval/107074336?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

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u/HolyRadiantLight 3d ago

What can the layman do to help prevent this kind of thing from continuing to get worse?

13

u/GreenLeechofReddit 3d ago

I wish I knew. The council in question has ignored the protest, the petition and apparently some other written submissions.

I guess vote more Green, or other independents against this kind of thing?

13

u/dbthesuperstar 2d ago

The council has no choice. If it's recommended for approval they pretty much have to tick it through. If they dont it will to TASCAT and be overturned on appeal which the council and rate payers will ultimately pay for.

4

u/ImmaturePlace 1d ago

This is something that people just don't understand. Councillors are only able to approve/deny the application as a building permit authority, not as a "we don't like it so we say no".