By https://www.facebook.com/SBSAustralia/
Publication Date: 2026-05-22 00:00:00
Short
- Numerous groups have called on the government to suspend approvals for AI data centers in Australia.
- There are questions about the amount of electricity and water the data centers use.
Community and environmental groups have joined calls to suspend data center permits in Australia while authorities determine the true impact of artificial intelligence centers.
Sydney Water also reiterated its warning that data centers could consume up to a quarter of the city’s drinking water within a decade and infrastructure investment would need to increase to meet demand.
The warnings came on Friday at the third hearing of the New South Wales government’s data center inquiry, which involved organizations including energy suppliers, local councils and business groups.
Australia has emerged as the world’s second-largest data center investment destination as tech companies look to meet demand for AI tools.
However, questions remain about their electricity and water consumption, guides the Carbon Zero Initiative’s strategy…
