The investment boom in generative artificial intelligence, spurring the rapid build of data centres across Victoria, is raising widespread concerns among affected communities and environment groups.
Labor Premier Jacinta Allan wants Victoria to lead the country in building the infrastructure that powers AI. Close to 30 such projects are being proposed, with identified sites in the western suburbs, including the old Ford site in Campbellfield.
Another planned for Plumpton would be the largest proposed data centre project in the country. At more than 350 hectares, it will require its own gas turbines to avoid tripping the state’s power grid.
The data centre expansion has damaging implications for energy systems and the climate because of their high energy and water consumption. The Climate Council of Australia said it will triple energy and water demand by 2030 and risks raising the price of wholesale electricity.
Groups are also opposed because of the lack of transparency surrounding the data centre builds. Greenpeace Australia wants a moratorium on their construction because it threatens to derail the renewable energy transition.
Fire Rescue Victoria has called for greater oversight over the significant volumes of diesel and lithium-ion batteries, which are used to run data centres.
Residents in Naarm’s northern suburbs have initiated a petition opposing the construction of a data centre in Campbellfield, citing environment and infrastructure risks.
Residents in the western suburbs have their own petition focusing on the enormous amounts of electricity and water used and the lack of longer-term local jobs; the centres are largely automated and staffed by specialists. The Star Weekly reported on June 10 that a new group had formed in the western suburbs to oppose the expansion of data centres.
Jake Delphin, an organiser of an upcoming community rally on June 13, told Green Left Radio on 3CR on June 5 that the main worry is the “lack of consultation about its impacts”.
Anasina Gray-Barberio, Greens MP for the Northern Metropolitan, told Parliament: “The north and west should not be dumping grounds for these hyperscale data centres, which will only make energy bills higher and impact water supply.”
350.org has called a community meeting on June 17. Spokesperson James Conlan told Green Left: “AI must be regulated immediately to protect workers and society from its devastating and inhumane uses.” He cited AI’s use in automated warfare, mass shootings and the distribution of sexualised images of children.
“350 Australia is calling on all states and territories to issue an immediate moratorium on data centre construction until safeguards for people, communities and the environment are legislated.”
Sue Bolton, a long-term Merri-bek councillor and Socialist Alliance candidate for Broadmeadows, told GL that the rapid expansion of AI data centres “threatens the climate and workers’ rights, and we oppose that”.
“The huge investment in AI is being driven by big tech corporations, which want to make massive profits at the expense of our planet, communities and workers’ rights.
“Corporations are using the technology to implement mass surveillance and sack workers. They are eliminating entry-level jobs, which AI can take over for less cost, and this is all being done without a nationwide discussion about the possible benefits of AI or new regulation or protections for workers.”
Bolton said technology can be used to benefit workers, including to reduce their work hours with no loss in pay. But, she said, AI is being driven by corporate greed and “workers’ rights are not being taken into account”.
[Come to the rally on June 13 to oppose the expansion of data centres.]