The City of Whittlesea has called for a moratorium on data centre approvals until new Victorian Government planning reforms are finalised and built into planning schemes. The council resolved the position at its meeting on 20 October 2026. It will write to the Victorian Premier and ministers seeking greater transparency, stronger planning controls and meaningful consultation. The council also opposes the State Government's use of the Development Facilitation Program to approve a data centre at 525 McDonalds Road, South Morang, and wants a hold on the current application at 165 Williamsons Road, South Morang.
Whittlesea council has called for a moratorium on data centre approvals. At its October 20 meeting, councillor Jarrod Lappin moved the motion, which also expresses disapproval of the state government's use of the developer facilitation program. The program approved a data centre at McDonalds Road, South Morang, which council had objected to in 2024. Mayor Lawrie Cox said he was absolutely disgusted with the planning minister's process. Hume and Melton councils are also calling for a moratorium, and Whittlesea has urged other councils to follow suit. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny was contacted for comment.
The Northern Territory Labor opposition now supports a moratorium on hyper-scale data centres, weeks after saying one was not needed. Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said the pause should last until July 1 next year, with review findings released before it ends. Independent MLA Justine Davis moved a broader motion for a moratorium on all AI data centre developments, backed by petitions with 15,000 signatures. The Country Liberal Party government used its majority to remove the moratorium and inquiry provisions from the motion. Business Minister Robyn Cahill said a moratorium would send a bad message to investors.
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The Central Coast Greens have repeated the federal party's call for a moratorium on AI data centres. They say the pause should begin now, before the proposed Wyong data centre goes ahead.
Opposition to data centers is growing across the United States, and candidates from both major parties are using the issue in midterm campaigns. In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown has accused Republican Senator Jon Husted of welcoming data centers to the state and driving up energy bills. Many House and governor races also feature data centers in campaign advertising. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a hyperscale moratorium in July. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has moved to put a de facto moratorium on permits.
