22 September 2026
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC), the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, has pushed the NSW Government to step up on data centre regulation after the Victorian Government released their Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan.
The Plan aims to protect neighbourhoods from unsustainable data centres.
"Victorian data centres now must comply with minimum standards,” said Dr Brad Smith, Policy and Advocacy Director for NCC.
"Victoria's mandatory rules will protect energy and water supplies, and make sure noisy, polluting data centres don't open up right next to schools and homes.
"The question is, why are NSW standards optional?
"Why is Premier Minns allowing inappropriate data centre developments to industrialise residential communities, push up power prices, and drain our water supplies?
"In NSW, data centres like the three proposals in Lane Cove risk flooding homes and nature habitat with noise, diesel, and light pollution.
"We're calling on all parties and candidates to commit to mandatory rules for data centres in NSW.”
ENDS
Background:
https://djsir.vic.gov.au/priorities-and-initiatives/ai-mission-statement/sustainable-data-centre-action-plan
Contact details:
Media contact: Anna Greer
Ph: (02) 7208 9482
E: [email protected]
