Hume City Council passes motion calling for a moratorium on approvals for new data centres and expansions of existing data centres until a Victorian Parliamentary Joint Select Committee Inquiry into Data Centres has been completed.
10 Councillors for, none against
Motion passed August 10, 2026
That Council:
2.1 Writes to the Premier of Victoria, the Minister for Planning, the Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, and the Minister for Jobs, Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, requesting that the Victorian Government:
2.1.1 Introduce a moratorium on approvals for new data centres and expansions of existing data centres until a Victorian Parliamentary Joint Select Committee Inquiry into Data Centres has been completed. The Inquiry should include comprehensive public hearings and invite evidence from scientific experts, community organisations, Traditional Owners, local residents, local governments, industry representatives and relevant government agencies to consider the cumulative environmental, social and economic impacts of data centres and recommend an appropriate regulatory framework and other initiatives identified through the inquiry process.
2.1.2 Actively participate in the Australian Government’s development of national standards, regulatory frameworks and policy settings relating to artificial intelligence and associated digital infrastructure, ensuring alignment between national and Victorian regulatory responses.
2.1.3 Establish a joint State and Local Government Taskforce to develop planning, environmental and infrastructure policy responses for the siting and operation of data centres, including the preparation of planning scheme amendments for public consultation and implementation through regulation and/or legislation following completion of the proposed Parliamentary Inquiry.
2.1.4 Ensure the work of the Taskforce includes consideration of:
(a) Cumulative and place-based strategic assessments; electricity network capacity and energy demand; water supply, water security and catchment health; biodiversityand ecosystem impacts; land use planning and agricultural land protection; clustering and precinct-based development; community amenity and social impacts; economic benefits, including local jobs and skills development; and any additional matters identified through research, consultation and stakeholder engagement.
2.1.5 Immediately release the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan and all supporting research informing its development.
2.2 Notes the significant and growing community interest in the development and expansion of data centres, including concerns raised by residents, community organisations and environmental groups regarding their cumulative impacts.
2.3 Notes community interest in a public information session to provide independent information on data centre development, planning processes, environmental impacts, energy demand, water use and economic outcomes.
2.4 Resolves to provide appropriate in-kind support for a public information session on data centres, subject to Council’s usual policies and procedures.
2.5 That any future planning development applications for new Data Centres or the expansion of existing ones be brought to the attention of all councillors.