‘Reluctant’ approval for Tasmanian datacentre sets marker for national battle

<p>Concerns over planning process as George Town council gives go-ahead for 288MW AI factory despite opposition from locals</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The day before Anthony Albanese secured agreement with states and territories to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/26/albanese-backs-down-on-states-powering-ai-datacentres-using-sustainable-energy">develop national datacentre standards</a>, a small council in Tasmania was grappling with the existing regulations in the face of strong community opposition to a new AI factory planned for its town.</p><p>The George Town council voted 6-1 to approve the plans of Australian developer Firmus to build a 288 megawatt (MW) datacentre at Long Reach, north of Launceston, but said it did so reluctantly.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/27/tasmania-datacentre-ai-standards-national-cabinet-albanese-government">Continue reading...</a>