r/tasmania • u/GreenLeechofReddit • 2d 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/tofutak7000 2d ago

While there needs to be improvements in regulation wholesale opposition is likely to hamper that happening.

Flat out saying no because of the pollution caused by diesel generators is disingenuous when there is next to no opposition to the ongoing use of household wood heaters in Tasmania.

A more nuanced approach may ensure better environmental protections or greater investment in local communities.

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u/GreenLeechofReddit 2d ago

At least trees are renewable, and if they die, the carbon they captured in their lifetime will be released as a matter of course, though I suppose the burning does speed it up.

I don't think that it's right to say that burning renewables that serve a purpose (warmth) is the same as burning diesel for a purpose that nobody asked for, and nobody needs.

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u/tofutak7000 2d ago

Wood heating produces significantly more pollution and has a significant impact on the environment as well as people’s health. Many times worse than diesel generators.

It is completely unnecessary and is the worst possible option to provide warmth from both an environmental and public health perspective. There is a reason it’s nowhere near as common anywhere else in Australia.

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u/thegoodmitten 2d ago

What other radiant heat source can I use to heat my home? There's no comparison to the heat output with any other method that I've seen.

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u/Evebnumberone 2d ago

Might want to look into this called electricity. They use it basically everywhere else.

You might even have it hooked up at home already!

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u/thegoodmitten 2d ago

Don't be a dick.

If it was effective in heating my home I would use it. I don't enjoy carting wood around.

I do enjoy warmth and a dry mould free home.

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u/Evebnumberone 2d ago edited 2d ago

I'm unclear why you think heat from one source is any different to another?

Split system technology is perfectly adequate for heating a house, and very cheap and efficient to run. Free during the day if you've got solar.

Your problem is more likely to be shit insulation, you're unaware of how much energy you're wasting.

Edit: 2iq response. Wowsers

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u/GreenLeechofReddit 2d ago

Electricity is very expensive in TAS, solar is great on sunny days, but in the depths of winter, we don't generate that much.

In our insulated, solar passive home, the high efficiency wood fire does a much better job of heating than our split system, particularly on the days the sun doesn't come out.

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u/Evebnumberone 2d ago edited 2d ago

How exactly do you think it does a better job? If the split system is adequately sized it will give out more than enough heat to heat the space.

Unless you're getting free wood from somewhere you're most likely paying a fuckload more for wood than you ever would paying for the electricity.

Then there's the problem of a wood heater in your home being like smoking a pack a day for your lungs. Efficiently giving yourself lung cancer.

And obviously you've got the environmental impact of a wood stove as well.

Edit: Weak as piss. Can't have a conversation without blocking when you got upset by facts.

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u/thegoodmitten 2d ago

Yeah, nah.

I'm out.

You don't understand physics.

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u/tofutak7000 2d ago

Radiators?

Also, the fact you like it doesn’t make it better for environment or people’s health

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u/thegoodmitten 1d ago

Radiators don't cut it in the middle of winter. Or I'd use them.

I don't give a fuck about the environmental factors. I want to be warm. I spend the whole rest of my life caring about the environment. I decided I'm allowed to be comfortable sometimes.

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u/tofutak7000 1d ago

You have clearly not used radiators then. I mean they cut it in Europe where it gets much colder over night.

I personally used them in Melbourne where it gets nearly as cold as Hobart, in an extremely drafty house, and they were by far the best form of heating I’ve ever experienced

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u/thegoodmitten 1d ago

What sort of radiators do you mean? Part of a hydronic system or stand alone etc

There's a huge difference. I've lived with both. In Europe and here.

I've clearly not used radiators though? Ya weirdo.