• Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the ACT will not pause responsible data-centre development while national standards are being finalised
  • Developers can continue through ACT planning, but the federal framework may still change what large projects must deliver

The fact

The Australian Capital Territory will keep assessing new data-centre projects while the federal government works on national rules for large facilities. Chief Minister Andrew Barr rejected calls for a temporary pause, saying the ACT's existing planning, environmental and utility rules are already broadly in line with the proposed national approach.

New data centres will continue to be reviewed one project at a time through the ACT's existing planning system. Current rules allow them in industrial and service areas, and in some broadacre locations outside urban areas, as long as they receive the required approvals. The ACT government says Canberra already has about 15 data centres. More development is proposed in Beard, with a possible expansion in Hume. The federal standards are expected to become law in early 2027.

The assessment

Keeping approvals open means developers can keep moving projects through the ACT planning process while the federal government finishes writing the new national rules. They do not have to wait for those rules before submitting or progressing an application.

The uncertainty comes later. Australia has not yet said exactly which projects will be covered, when the new rules will start or whether projects already in planning or construction will have to comply. Some developers may therefore need to change their power, water or operating plans after local review has already begun.

For BTW readers, the ACT is letting planning continue while the national rules are still being finalised. That avoids a blanket pause, but developers will not know the full requirements until the federal standards are published.

What to watch

Watch for the federal government to define the size threshold, commencement date and transition rules for projects already in planning or construction. Proposed developments in Beard and Hume could provide early tests of how ACT approvals interact with the national standards. Any requirement to revise power, water or operating plans would show where the two frameworks differ.