Hunter shifts from coal to data centres as region seeks new jobs
Data centres in the Hunter could eventually consume as much electricity as households in NSW and Victoria combined.
For decades the Hunter thrived on coal mining and power stations that shaped its landscape and economy. Now the region is shifting toward data centres.
Energy-hungry facilities could draw as much electricity from Australia's grid in ten years as households in NSW and Victoria use today. A data centre is proposed for part of the old Kurri Kurri smelter site.
The developer, AirTrunk, aspires to land a global user. The NSW government issued data-centre guidelines in August.
But locals are asking hard questions. How many steady, well-paid jobs will data centres really create?
Will they crowd out other industries, or draw new ones in? And will the Hunter, once again, find its countryside transformed by the latest boom?
- AirTrunk
- Developer name
- Old Kurri Kurri smelter
- Data centre site
- August
- Guidelines issued
Why it mattersThe Hunter's future jobs and landscape depend on whether data centres deliver real employment and growth. Or will they become another heavy industry that leaves the region transformed?
AustraliaNSW's Hunter region faces a critical choice about its post-coal future. Data centres could create jobs or simply consume land and power while enriching outsiders, much as coal did.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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