Latrobe resident fears Firmus Wesley Vale data centre noise
A Latrobe mother with a son at Andrews Creek Primary School told the state inquiry she would have to move if the planned centre's hum reached her home.
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A resident of Latrobe in Tasmania’s north-west told a state government inquiry on Wednesday 11 November that she fears noise from a planned AI data centre at Wesley Vale, The Advocate reported. The hearing, held in Devonport, drew more than 20 attendees, and extra chairs had to be brought into the room.
Why it matters
The inquiry into artificial intelligence data centres is hearing from both the companies and the neighbours. At Devonport, the evidence came from a resident who lives near the Wesley Vale site.
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Latrobe resident Zoe McFarlane, formerly of Western Australia, told the committee that she and her son moved to the area a little over a year ago. Her son attends Andrews Creek Primary School, about 1.5 kilometres from the development site.
Ms McFarlane raised concerns about noise and amenity if the centre goes ahead. According to The Advocate, she compared the constant hum of such a facility to tinnitus, citing reports and studies from the University of Sydney and from overseas developments. She said that if there was that noise impact, she would have to move and find a different school or pay for private schooling.
She also told the committee, in the words The Advocate recorded: “Imagine that, all the time.”
Her complaint was not only about sound. She said she was disappointed by the lack of community consultation over the choice of site, and criticised what she saw as a shortage of information and engagement. In her view, consultation should have started before the site was selected.
The numbers
The Advocate reports that Firmus has previously said external noise from the data centre should not exceed 31 decibels, which the outlet likens to a soft whisper in a library. Ms McFarlane told the inquiry that the company’s assurances on noise and resource use were not comforting because they had not been independently tested.
The proposal is for a 52-megawatt data centre, which is pending major project approval from the state government, according to The Advocate. Separately, Latrobe Council approved a research and development centre from Firmus last week, as we reported on the approval.
On consultation, The Advocate notes that Firmus ran a webinar online in July, plus two community sessions in person across July and August, and provides an email address for questions.
What’s next
The data centre itself still needs major project approval from the state government. The inquiry continues: at an earlier hearing on 10 November it took evidence from Firmus co-chief executive Tim Rosenfield and its energy manager, Paul Grzinic.
The Advocate’s report does not say what the committee will do with the Latrobe evidence or when the inquiry is due to report.
Quick answers
What is the latest on Firmus?
A Latrobe mother with a son at Andrews Creek Primary School told the state inquiry she would have to move if the planned centre's hum reached her home.
What are the key numbers in this story?
noise limit: 31 dB; data centre: 52 MW; school distance: 1.5 km.
Where does this information come from?
This story cites The Advocate. Every source is linked on the page.
Sources
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