PETITION: Stop the Data Drain

Some of you may want to sign and share this petition from GetUp.

Big tech is racing to build massive data centres across Australia and there are no national rules governing how they do it. There are already 162 operating, with another 90 in the pipeline - including some of the largest in the world.

Data centres use huge amounts of water and energy, pushing up power bills and threatening to wipe out years of emissions progress. Power prices could increase by up to 26% while they're on track to take up to a quarter of Sydney's within a decade.

Right now, the rollout is being fast-tracked through state planning systems that shut out councils and residents. The community gets the noise, the strain and the higher bills, with no say in what's built on its doorstep.

Done right, the data centre boom doesn't have to cost Australians. With the right national framework, we can protect our water and environment, keep power bills down and make sure Australians share in the benefits..

We need to pause new approvals, establish nationally consistent standards. Let's make sure that when global tech companies come to build here, it's on Australia's terms and for Australia's benefit.