Firmus Technologies Seeks to Expand Operations in Tasmania

Firmus Technologies is seeking to expand its operations in Tasmania, with plans to build three new data centres in the state. The Tasmanian Greens have set up a parliamentary inquiry to examine what, if any, economic benefit AI data centres will bring to the state, amid rising community concern over their construction and operation. The inquiry has a broad mandate, considering factors from protecting public resources and the environment to ensuring Tasmanians receive tangible benefits from all AI and data facilities constructed.

An expert says Tasmania's guiding principle on data centres should be that they ultimately leave communities measurably better off. Firmus has sought to allay community concerns over power usage at its proposed sites. Submissions to the inquiry are open until September 21.