State level oversight needed for major data centres, council candidate argues
A former Nationals candidate argues big data centres should be assessed at state level due to energy, water and environmental impacts.
Carl Cooper is a Rowella sheep farmer running for West Tamar Council mayor and a former Bass candidate. Big projects like the proposed Firmus data centre at Bell Bay are too big for local councils to handle, Cooper says, and should be assessed at state level.
Such projects involve energy supply and water access, and raise environmental concerns beyond standard planning approvals. Cooper stood for Bass in the 2025 state election.
The council candidate told the Examiner that community leaders and the company failed to handle local concerns properly. Cooper says he is not anti-business but wants better processes and clearer council talk on major developments.
- Carl Cooper
- Candidate
- Councillor and mayor of West Tamar Council
- Position sought
- Firmus data centre at Bell Bay
- Project name
- Nationals candidate for Bass, 2025
- Previous election
Why it mattersHow big infrastructure projects get approved shapes whether local communities can influence major developments that change their region.
AustraliaThis affects Tasmania's data centre expansion plans and how states weigh local concerns against major projects that need energy and water.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
