Datacentre giant accused of using AI while lobbying for Victorian minister’s support for hyperscale factory
NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenNextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. Horne also declined to comment.Last month, Hall outlined her concerns about the impact of the NextDC datacentre and its expansion with the state’s artificial intelligence minister, Anthony Carbines.In April, Hall wrote to the planning minister who will ultimately approve whether NextDC’s expansion will be approved.
- ▪NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares.
- ▪Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenNextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares.
- ▪Horne also declined to comment.Last month, Hall outlined her concerns about the impact of the NextDC datacentre and its expansion with the state’s artificial intelligence minister, Anthony Carbines.In April, Hall wrote to the planning minis
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/16/datacentre-giant-accused-of-using-ai-while-lobbying-for-victorian-ministers-support-for-hyperscale-factory |
| Publication time | Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:00:54 GMT |
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NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenNextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesDatacentres - AustraliaDatacentre giant accused of using AI while lobbying for Victorian minister’s support for hyperscale factoryExclusive: Correspondence requests state MP Melissa Horne to lobby on NextDC’s behalf – but contains alleged AI-created errors Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Henry BelotTue 15 Sep 2026…
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