Data Centre Proposals Face Court Challenge in Moss Vale
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 5:19 pm – 21 Oct 2026, 1:48 pm AEST
A court hearing is underway in Moss Vale, New South Wales, examining the cumulative impacts of proposed gas-fired data centre projects. Community members are challenging the approval of multiple projects, citing concerns about environmental and water impacts.
What happened
- In Moss Vale, New South Wales, a court is assessing the appeal by Nakar Property against a council refusal for a 16-megawatt gas-fired power plant and battery storage system intended to power data centres.
- Community members, including Dane Shanahan and Gabby Kent, are arguing that the fragmented planning decisions regarding the proposed gas plants fail to consider the overall impact on the region.
- Concerns were raised about the potential impact on Gundungurra traditional lands, specifically a waterway, and the possibility of carcinogen emissions from the power plants affecting Warragamba Dam’s water supply.
- Supporters of the data centres argue they are necessary for artificial intelligence technology growth and job creation.
- A shorter-term ban on data center construction was passed in Memphis, Tennessee, following protests and concerns about the impact of SpaceXAI’s data center developments, including methane gas turbine operations, and a related lawsuit from the NAACP.
Original reporting
- ABC: Cumulative impacts of data centre gas plants overlooked, court hears
2026-10-20T07:19:51+00:00 - CBS News: Memphis fails to pass 1-year data center moratorium, instead opting for a shorter-term ban
2026-10-21T03:48:00+00:00