What people are saying about Kurri Kurri Data Centre

Main concerns

Most raised first. One comment can raise more than one concern.

1. 01

   Few lasting local jobs

   Raised in 15 of 61 comments

   Commenters dispute the proposal's figure of about 250 people working at the centre once it's running. Several who say they work in IT expect only a small maintenance and security crew after construction finishes.

   • “They don't create long terms jobs, once they're built they only need a skeleton crew to run and they will massively drive up electricity prices in the area.”

   • “When a data center is fully operational, there's very few people needed, just a skeleton crew to keep the lights on / maintenance.”

2. 02

   Power bills and grid capacity

   Raised in 15 of 61 comments

   The centre could draw around 520 MW, close to 80% of what the neighbouring Kurri Kurri gas power station can export. People ask who gets priority when supply is tight, whether Ausgrid's network can cope, and what it will do to household bills.

   • “The grid is already on its knees. Basically being held together with duct tape and paper clips.”

   • “The proposed neighbouring AI data centre could consume 520 MW. That's nearly 80% of the station's export capacity.”

3. 03

   Trust in the developer and the process

   Raised in 7 of 61 comments

   People are wary that the operator wasn't named at first, that some impacts are left to be assessed after approval, and that the $37 million community package is a sweetener. A resident who read the Environmental Impact Statement says it contains discrepancies.

   • “They said in the proposal that they were going to assess it "later" and fix it if issues arise. Not entirely convincing, TBH.”

   • “I have reviewed the EIS and have found numerous discrepancies and inconsistencies throughout, along with misleading and deceptive language.”

4. 04

   Water, heat and the environment

   Raised in 7 of 61 comments

   Commenters point to hot, dry summers in the valley and towns like Tamworth nearly running out of water. Some note the centre is meant to be air-cooled, but want water and ecological studies they can see.

   • “Tamworth has nearly run out of water on more than one occasion. From what I understand these places use an enormous amount of water.”

   • “…the heat it could generate in already hot summers in a very dry patch of the valley…”

5. 05

   Too close to homes

   Raised in 5 of 61 comments

   Many say data centres belong in heavy industrial areas well away from houses. Some feel Kurri Kurri was chosen because a small community is easier to push past.

   • “They need to be built in heavy industrial areas away from people. We have plenty of space on Australia there's no need to build them anywhere near houses.”

   • “It feels like they’ve picked an area with open space, small population to resist and low socioeconomic status to tempt with jobs.”

6. 06

   Constant noise and light

   Raised in 4 of 61 comments

   Residents expect a hum and lighting around the clock. Future stages of the Loxford housing estate would be about 3 km away, across the flood plain.

   • “Council wouldn't approve a pub/concert venue to have bands playing 24/7 (and actually employ some people). How is this any better?”

   • “Has anyone googled the noise they make continuously especially the large ones. I would not want to live anywhere near a Data Center.”

7. 07

   Profits and tax going offshore

   Raised in 3 of 61 comments

   The developer, AirTrunk, is owned by US investment firm Blackstone. Commenters doubt much of the economic benefit will stay in the region.

   • “The multinationals will shift the profit quicker than you can say "tax dodged"”

What supporters say

1. Reusing an industrial site with grid access

   Raised in 4 of 61 comments

   A minority back the project. They point out that the old smelter used as much power, the site sits beside the gas power station and existing 132 kV feeders, and the region should welcome investment.

   • “Honestly if it’s next to the gas generator probably an idea location with it being far away from residential areas and close to the 132kv feeders…”

   • “We should welcome investment into the area especially for a "waterless" data centre.”

How the community is responding

• Cessnock City Council objects

  Councillors voted unanimously to lodge a formal objection to the project, after an urgency motion at their 21 October meeting.

  News

• Submission help sessions

  Locals are running sessions at Kurri Kurri Library to help people lodge submissions on the Planning Portal, aiming for at least 100.

  Facebook

• A residents' group

  Residents Against Datacentres In Kurri Kurri And Loxford shares updates and campaign material on Facebook.

  Facebook

• A petition to stop the proposal

  A Change.org petition, “Stop the Kurri Data Centre proposal”, is being shared on X.

  X

• A community forum

  Greens MLC Abigail Boyd, who chaired the NSW parliamentary inquiry into data centres, joined locals at a forum in Kurri Kurri.

  X

• Local TV coverage

  NBN News called it a controversial project that has attracted plenty of criticism online.

  Facebook

Sources

• Kurri Kurri Data Centre convo (r/newcastle)Reddit · 98 comments
• Hunter locals – thoughts on data centres coming to the region? (r/newcastle)Reddit · 75 comments
• Newcastle Herald: $37m community package offered for the Hunter data centreTikTok · 13 comments
• NBN News: residents voice concerns about the 540 MW data centreFacebook
• A resident's review of the Environmental Impact StatementFacebook
• Submission help sessions at Kurri Kurri LibraryFacebook
• Residents Against Datacentres In Kurri Kurri And LoxfordFacebook
• Petition: Stop the Kurri Data Centre proposalX
• Community forum on the AI data centre in Kurri KurriX
• The data centre's load compared with the Kurri Kurri power stationX
• Cessnock City Council meeting, 21 October 2026 (objection motion at 1:17:18)YouTube
• Why Cessnock Council voted to lodge an objection to the Kurri Kurri data centreNews