Western Downs residents fear being left behind as $32b data centre looms

A proposed $32 billion data centre on the outskirts of Dalby has sparked fears among Western Downs residents that they will be steamrolled in the push to embrace the artificial intelligence boom.

Dalby antiques dealer Ross Thornton, surrounded by history, is worried about the future and is calling for a public meeting amid concerns that residents will not have a say in the project. "People don't know enough about it," he said. "They're scared of the unknown."

The 70-year-old has lived through the rapid industrialisation of the country town before, when the coal seam gas industry swept through more than a decade ago. "It caused a boom-bust cycle and no-one wants that," he said. "[We want to know] what's the impact going to be … and any of the pros and cons relating to it."

A petition to parliament opposing the Western Downs Digital Park has gained more than 21,000 signatures — more than any petition currently open in Queensland. Angela Prenzler, who has been promoting the petition, said: "We know that when big business comes in, the locals don't have a say."

The Dalby resident expressed scepticism about the developer's plans to predominantly use rain and recycled water for its operations. "We are always in drought," Ms Prenzler said. She added that the online petition was gaining traction, including in other country areas. "They know it could happen in their regional town too," Ms Prenzler said.

Dalby businessman Doug Machin feels conflicted about the project. "You never knock back development," he said, then added it would be challenging to source the suggested 1,500 jobs required to build the data centre. "If you went to most businesses and farmers, we just don't seem to be able to get the [workers]."

The Queensland government has confirmed it will be taking over from local governments as the "responsible assessor and coordinator" of data centre applications in a yet to be released planning framework. The government said it would "mirror its reforms to renewable energy development" to ensure a consistent and transparent framework across the state.

Western Downs Mayor Andrew Smith said he had been assured the project in his region would remain under his council's purview — but it may be out of the council's hands. Singapore-based developer Zerra DC has applied for "prescribed project" status, which means Queensland's coordinator-general could step in and fast-track approvals to prevent "unnecessary delays". Cr Smith is not concerned. "We've had good conversations with the state. We're confident in our ability to assess large scale development," he said.

Chinchilla resident Shay Dougall, who earned her doctorate researching the impacts of the coal seam gas industrialisation of the Western Downs, says history should guide decision-making. "The lesson we've learned through the experience of hosting such intense industrialisation in an agricultural area is to try and require these sorts of projects to have up-front risk assessment," she said. Dr Dougall added that any planning pathways for the artificial intelligence industry would need to reflect its unique demands rather than "fold in" to existing renewable energy reforms.

"Importantly, the people expected to live with this must have a consequential part in that decision-making," she said. "I think we need to go back to the drawing board and get really crystal clear about what it is exactly the things are that we're considering to take on as a nation, then make some really wicked decisions about … what are we willing to accept."