Western Downs, Queensland, Australia, 24 August 2026 – A proposed data centre in regional Queensland is forcing investors and policymakers to weigh the growth of artificial-intelligence infrastructure against the practical limits of water, power and community capacity. The Western Downs Digital Park would be Australia’s largest facility of its kind if approved, with a proposed investment value of A$31.9 billion.
Singapore-based developer Zerra DC has earmarked a 725.5-hectare site near Dalby, about 250 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. The land currently includes a 24,000-head feedlot. Its location near major regional power stations is an advantage for a hyperscale project, but the scale of the development is also driving questions about energy consumption, water security and the effect on surrounding communities.
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