A public meeting is being held to discuss concerns over the future of the High Country after Ōhau and Twizel were named as two potential data centre sites.
By Claire Taylor for Local Democracy Reporting
Last month, Invest New Zealand confirmed to the Otago Daily Times that Ōhau and Twizel were possible locations for new high-energy data centres, citing the area’s existing landscape as “advantageous” for development.
The zones were ‘‘indicative of areas where there is a convergence of existing grid capacity, energy infrastructure, proximity to backhaul fibre and further renewable energy development potential,’’ the spokesperson said.
Proposed solar farms in the district had also fuelled speculation that Mackenzie was being positioned for a data centre. A community event, to be held on August 12, will discuss the “future of Twizel, Ōhau and the Mackenzie.”
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Twizel Community Board chairperson Mary Murdoch shared the details of the upcoming meeting to the Twizel Community Facebook page, and said an action plan would be formed to address data centre concerns.
“Unless you have been living under a rock, you will no doubt know that Twizel and Ōhau are being looked at because of their abundance of electricity, proximity to water for cooling, and access to fibre infrastructure,” Murdoch said.
“But this is our home, our landscape, our businesses and our community.”
A Facebook group, Stop Data Centres NZ, has attracted more than 13,000 members since forming in June. Many users named Glencairn Station as a particular area of concern.
“[Glencairn Station] is surrounded by significant natural areas, under the Waitaki District Council zone, and also part of the Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve,” one user said.
A petition was organised by the group, calling for legislation that would stop or restrict the construction of data centres.
Organisers outlined several concerns they said had not been properly considered in plans for data centres.
Water use topped the list, with organisers saying data centres required significant volumes of water and warned corporate ownership could reduce transparency around water use, treatment, reuse and discharge.
“Without transparent public oversight, there can be no confidence that water resources are being managed responsibly,” they said.
A $3.5b project has been approved in Makarewa, 10 minutes north of Invercargill, with locals wanting answers. (Source: 1News)
Organisers called for mandatory public consultation and stronger oversight by the Privacy Commissioner, saying clear standards were needed for data collection, transparency and accountability.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last month told RNZ that data centres can be a net positive for the economy.
"They will create jobs, will create opportunities for us, and we do need some sensible rules," he said.
The Government planned to have common-sense rules in place ahead of increased investment in data centres, he said.
The meeting will be held at the Twizel Events Centre at 7pm on August 12.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
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