No ‘automatic knockback’ for non-compliant datacentres as NSW announces fast-track pathway

As the Minns government commits to assessing proposals within 75 days, community groups fear applications will be rushed through ahead of commonwealth legislation

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Communities fighting datacentres say new guidelines in New South Wales may not prevent contentious developments, as the state government has admitted a fast-track pathway will not provide an “automatic knockback” for those who do not meet environmental standards.

Under the Minns government’s new https://www.infrastructure.nsw.gov.au/expert-advice/data-centres/">datacentre guidelines, announced on Monday, the planning department will commit to assessing proposals within 75 days if datacentre builders comply with six principles, and no further information is required.