George Town council backs 288-MW AI data centre at former Gunns mill site

At a Tuesday meeting, George Town council members voted 6-1 in favour of Firmus Technologies' proposal to construct a 288-megawatt AI data centre on the former Gunns pulp mill property at Long Reach, within the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone. The council reviewed 349 written submissions and an electronic petition signed by almost 6,000 residents who opposed the project. Council planners advised approval with a suite of conditions, including a noise survey, an air-quality assessment, and a revised bushfire and emergency plan after a reporting error on diesel generators.

Firmus must limit diesel generator use to emergencies and unscheduled grid failures, and operate a combined yearly limit on simultaneous generators. The approval adds to Firmus's existing 104-megawatt facility in St Leonards and a pending 52-megawatt application at Wesley Vale, positioning the company as Tasmania's top power user, ahead of major industrial players such as Bell Bay Aluminium. Local protesters, including teenagers and long-time residents, voiced concerns over water consumption, energy security and potential environmental damage.