The Conservation Council is advocating for a temporary ban on new data centre developments in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) until stricter regulations are established. The council is worried about the potential effects on Canberra's water supply and electricity grid. Currently, there are over a dozen data centres in the ACT, including the NEXTDC facility in Bruce. The council's director, Simon Copland, highlights the need for a pause in approvals to discuss the implications of the rapid expansion of data centres, especially given the growth of AI. The proposed second CDC Data Centre in Beard, near Canberra Airport, is a significant concern. Copland emphasizes the need for secure water supplies and suggests investing in water-efficient technologies like closed-loop cooling. The ACT Greens and other community groups support the moratorium. However, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has dismissed the idea, citing existing rigorous requirements. Nationally, the government is developing new standards for AI data centres, including water use and power supply regulations.
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