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‘Secret Plans’: Community Questions New AI Data Hub

The Mercury

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A Tasmanian community has raised concerns over an undisclosed AI data centre proposal for a former paper mill site that could make Firmus the state’s largest electricity consumer. The latest:

Summary

Local residents in Tasmania have voiced significant concern over a proposed AI data center at a former paper mill site in Wesley Vale, citing a lack of transparency regarding the project's scale. The facility, proposed by Firmus, could potentially become the state’s largest electricity consumer, highlighting the massive physical and energy infrastructure requirements of modern frontier AI. While primarily a local development story, it underscores the growing pressure on national infrastructure and energy security driven by global AI capability expansion and suggests future regulatory friction points for Australian AI investment.

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‘Secret plans’: Community questions new AI data hubA Tasmanian community has raised concerns over an undisclosed AI data centre proposal for a former paper mill site that could make Firmus the state’s largest electricity consumer. The latest: EOFY Sale on now Unlock this story and more with your subscription Full Digital Access What’s included Unlimited articles on app & web Subscriber-exclusive newsletters A digital version of Today’s Paper A refreshed puzzle experience SuperCoach Plus stats & analysis while playing Full digital access to the Herald Sun included Pay As You Go No lock-in contract $4 for 4 weeksThen $32 charged every 4 weeks.* *Read the fine print Full Digital Access $4 charged for a duration of 4 weeks, after which it automatically renews at $32 charged every 4 weeks. Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. Not in conjunction with any other offer. New customers only. Prices after any early discounted periods may be varied as per full Terms and Conditions. See www.themercury.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. LIMITED TIME OFFER EOFY Offer Less than 45c a day for your first year $3 a week for the first 12 months($156 min. cost) charged as $12 every 4 weeks. Then $20 charged every 4 weeks.* *Read the fine print Full Digital Access 12 Month Plan costs $156 (min. cost) for the first 12 months, charged as $12 every 4 weeks. This automatically renews after the first 12 months to be charged as $20 (min. cost) every 4 weeks. Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. No cancellations during the first 12 months. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Prices after the first 12 months may be varied as per full Terms and Conditions. See www.themercury.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. Subscribe Other subscription options Print + Digital Subscriptions Corporate Subscriptions Your Selection: $0 Your Selection – Change selection Today’s Total $0 Read the fine print Terms and Conditions Sorry, we are unable to process your request at this time. Please try again later.