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Victoria’s 150-metre buffer AI datacentre rules face backlash

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 2:25 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Australian federal and state governments are drafting stricter AI datacentre rules after community backlash.
Victoria approved rules creating a 150-metre buffer, requiring community consultation and renewable-energy sourcing for new datacentres.
Two state inquiries and one federal inquiry are probing datacentre impacts on power, water and local residents.
Assistant Technology Minister Andrew Charlton said most economic rents flow offshore and urged providers to grant Australian startups compute access.

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Story summary

Australian federal and state governments are drafting stricter AI datacentre rules after community backlash.
Victoria approved rules creating a 150-metre buffer, requiring community consultation and renewable-energy sourcing for new datacentres.
Two state inquiries and one federal inquiry are probing datacentre impacts on power, water and local residents.
Assistant Technology Minister Andrew Charlton said most economic rents flow offshore and urged providers to grant Australian startups compute access.