Australia urged to streamline data centre approvals

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 05:02 · Archive

Matt Kean, chair of the Climate Change Authority, has urged Australia to remove regulatory barriers to attract data centre investment from technology giants. Speaking at the Chartered Accountants Sustainability Conference in Sydney on Friday, he warned that unclear rules could deter companies from investing in Australia.

Kean said data centres represented an enormous investment opportunity for Australia. Technology firms, including artificial intelligence providers, sought to build data centres in stable democracies with access to reliable, cheap energy, and Australia could provide both. He noted that $120 billion of data centre investment was already in the pipeline, but regulations were not keeping up with demand.

He called for the federal government to introduce clear rules to give investors confidence, whilst addressing community concerns about environmental impact. This includes streamlined environmental and planning approvals, reduced compliance costs, and clear requirements around water use and renewable energy for data centres. The comments come as a parliamentary inquiry examines the potential benefits and risks of establishing artificial intelligence hubs in Australia, and as the federal government considers submissions about data centre regulations.

How it is being reported

• Australia should 'roll out red carpet' for data centresClear rules and less 'green tape' are needed to ensure tech giants don't abandon Australia and take investments elsewhere, a climate leader warns.Perth Now · 16 Oct, 04:31
• Australia should 'roll out red carpet' for data centresClear rules and less 'green tape' are needed to ensure tech giants don't abandon Australia and take investments elsewhere, a climate leader warns.The West Australian · 16 Oct, 04:31

In this story: Matt Kean · Climate Change Authority · Australia

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