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https://theconversation.com/the-fight-over-ai-data-centres-is-becoming-australias-next-indigenous-policy-challenge-289623>
"In July 2026, more than 200 community members gathered at Mandoon Bilya
(Helena River) in Perth’s eastern suburbs. They planted more than 3,000 native
flora as part of a wetland restoration project. The hopeful scene was a stark
contrast to what the river might have become.
Until recently, Mandoon Bilya was the proposed site of a hyperscale artificial
intelligence (AI) data centre. It was scheduled to be one of Australia’s
biggest. Aboriginal groups, environmental activists and local community groups
successfully opposed the development.
Instead of a 120-megawatt AI facility, the area is now focused on ecological
restoration and protecting Country. Community groups are working to realise new
visions of the river’s future.
Yet the Mandoon Bilya opposition is about more than one defeated development
proposal. As AI drives demand for new facilities, data centres are expected to
proliferate across Australia.
The campaign highlights an urgent policy challenge. Policymakers have focused
on regulating AI technologies. Yet Aboriginal communities have had little say
in AI infrastructure planning.
This includes participating in decisions about the resources and infrastructure
on which AI technologies depend. Decisions made now could shape Indigenous
relations with the government around AI for years to come."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
