AI data centres and water conservation is a big topic in Australia. In particular in Queensland.
Lia Cragnolini is petitioning the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.
The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that Queensland is becoming a carbon haven. Petitioners note the Premier’s July 2026 refusal to mandate green power, which the Climate Council warns could raise wholesale prices by 14 per cent.
Specific grievances include:
- the Maroochydore AI Centre bypassing federal standards via planning loopholes;
- billion-dollar Cloncurry projects stalled by grid incapacity, threatening existing supply; and
- the lack of bans on evaporative cooling, endangering the Great Artesian Basin and SEQ water grids.
