Hume City Council has welcomed a statewide call for a moratorium on new and expanded data centres, after the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) backed stronger planning and environmental protections for local communities.
Representing all 79 Victorian councils, the MAV passed a resolution calling for approvals to be paused until a comprehensive planning and environmental framework is established. Eight councils, including Hume, brought data centre motions to the MAV's October State Council.
The decision builds on Hume's leadership in August, when Council unanimously called for a statewide moratorium and an independent review of how large-scale data centres are planned, located and regulated.
The MAV's decision elevates the issue from a series of local planning disputes to a clear statewide priority. With councils now speaking collectively, Hume is calling on the State Government and all parties ahead of the Victorian election to commit to a consistent framework that protects communities while providing certainty for industry.
Hume supports innovation and responsible investment but maintains that developments of this scale must be appropriately located, properly regulated, subject to genuine community consultation and provide a tangible community benefit.
Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor, Cr Carly Moore:
"Hume has helped lead this important statewide conversation, and the MAV's decision shows that councils across Victoria share our concerns.
"This is no longer an issue facing individual communities. All 79 Victorian councils are now speaking through the MAV and calling for clear statewide rules before further data centre developments are approved.
"We support innovation, investment and jobs, but developments of this scale must be planned responsibly and provide appropriate protections for the communities expected to host them.
"The State Government should listen to the united voice of local government and pause approvals until a comprehensive planning and environmental framework is in place."
