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The Municipal Association of Victoria, which represents every council in the Australian state, passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on approving new or expanded data centers until a full planning and environmental framework exists, ABC News reported Friday.
Eight councils brought motions, including Melbourne and Geelong.
The association objected to a state program that lets data-center companies apply directly to the planning minister, bypassing councils, and pointed to NextDC's purchase of 169 hectares at Lovely Banks in Geelong, land earmarked for more than 2,000 homes.
The timing limits what it can change.
Victoria's government enters caretaker mode in early November ahead of a state election, and its September rules already ban data centers near homes and schools and require them to bring their own renewable power.
All 79 of Victoria's councils call for a halt to new data centers
The Municipal Association of Victoria, which represents every council in the Australian state, passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on approving new or expanded data centers until a full planning and environmental framework exists, ABC News reported Friday. Eight councils brought motions, including Melbourne and Geelong. The association objected to a state program that lets data-center companies apply directly to the planning minister, bypassing councils, and pointed to NextDC's purchase of 169 hectares at Lovely Banks in Geelong, land earmarked for more than 2,000 homes.
The timing limits what it can change. Victoria's government enters caretaker mode in early November ahead of a state election, and its September rules already ban data centers near homes and schools and require them to bring their own renewable power. SourcesB
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This story ran in the Afternoon Brief of October 31st 2026.