Firmus Technologies faces a December 15 deadline to submit a complete major project proposal for its $2.1-billion 52MW data centre in Wesley Vale, Tasmania, or risk having the application withdrawn. The state’s major projects planning process grants the developer 90 days to provide documentation to determine if the project qualifies for assessment. The deadline arises after Firmus withdrew a planned $30-million ASX listing on October 9, citing market volatility and prevailing conditions. The float had targeted a $44 billion valuation but encountered weak investor demand and concerns about debt levels and IPO details.
Project Details and Location
The proposed data centre would occupy approximately 3 hectares at 174 and 226 Mill Road, on the former APPM/PaperlinX pulp and paper mill site, which operated from 1969 until 2010. The facility includes a 3,502-square-metre building with a 2,689-square-metre data hall and 793 square metres of administration space. It features 40 diesel backup generators for grid outages, technical infrastructure, cooling systems, water storage, and internal roads. The cooling system would use 448 kilolitres of water annually from on-site rainwater, with dry cooling employed on most days.
The proposal cites independent noise modelling predicting levels up to 31 decibels beyond the site boundary for 1 per cent of the year. Construction would employ about 70 local workers, with over 20 full-time positions in the initial operational stage. The site connects to existing electricity transmission infrastructure, including the Wesley Vale substation. Firmus claims upgrades would support a second 26MW connection.
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Community Opposition and Regulatory Challenges
Local groups have raised concerns about water security and noise impacts, joining a national wave of opposition to data centres. Latrobe Council referred the proposal to the Planning Minister without a completed major project proposal, pending formal documentation. The company faced investigations into whether site works exceeded an approved forest practices plan, which it claimed were general site maintenance not requiring planning approval.
Firmus’s broader Tasmanian pipeline includes a 104MW AI facility at St Leonards in Launceston and an approved 288MW development at Bell Bay. Hydro Tasmania is reviewing a request for a long-term energy arrangement to support the combined 444MW demand, with a decision expected by year-end.
Consequences of Missed Deadline
Legislation prohibits resubmitting the same or substantially similar application to council for two years. Alternatively, if the minister determines the project should not be declared a major project, it would return to the original council assessment process.