Webinar - Data Centres on our Doorstep: Unpacking Data Centre Development in the ACT Region

Canberra’s Chief Minister has been rolling out the welcome mat for data centre developers, calling the city a ‘best-in-class location’ for the industry. But what does that mean for our water, our power grid, our bushland and our community? 

Join Conservation Council Executive Director Dr Simon Copland and John Smith, one of the founders of the People’s Climate Assembly, to unpack what the rapid expansion of data centres means for our environment, climate and community.

Our speakers will dig into the issues that matter most, including:

• Water impacts

• Energy impacts

• Land use considerations

• Biodiversity impacts

Our speakers will also present the Conservation Council ACT Region’s new discussion paper on data centre development in the ACT. The paper calls for an urgent moratorium on data centres until a strong new legal framework are in place at both the ACT and Commonwealth levels.

Whether you’re a concerned local, a community group member or just curious about what’s being built in our backyard, come along, ask questions and be part of the conversation. 

About the Speakers:

John Smith, People’s Climate Assembly: John has written submissions for the Peoples Climate Assembly (PCA) on AI Data Centres and is concerned with not only their environmental impact, but the broader issues surrounding AI and the roll out of data centres in Australia.

John is a member of the Board of the Conservation Council, a representative for Extinction Rebellion ACT and is one of the founders of the PCA, and a member of Rising Tide and Canberra Climate Activists. He is Treasurer of XR ACT and PCA. John represents the PCA on the Council’s Climate Working Group and convenes the CANA Ecosystems & Climate Working Group.

John has a public service background mainly in the Department of Environment working in diverse areas including Kakadu National Park, the Natural Heritage Trust, the Forests TaskForce and HRD. He has a BA (Sydney) and an Associate Diploma in National Parks Management from RMIHE (now CSU).

Dr Simon Copland, Executive Director - Conservation Council ACT Region: Simon was raised in Canberra and has been passionate about the environment for his entire life. He has a long history in the Australian climate movement. Most recently he was the Executive Director at Pedal Power ACT where he led campaigns to boost active travel investment in the territory. He worked for 350.org Australia, where he helped organise a climate tour of Pacific Islanders to Australia, which included a blockade of the Newcastle Coal Port. Simon also has a PhD through the Australian National University.