News
18 July, 2026
Berry wins praise for Data Centre stance
Member for Whitlam Carol Berrry has been praised for speaking out against the proposed Data Centre in Douglas Road, Moss Vale.
Member for Whitlam Carol Berrry has been praised for speaking out against the proposed Data Centre in Douglas Road, Moss Vale.
Mrs Berry issued a statement yesterday (Friday) thanking everyone who had been in contact with her office with their concerns about the Data Centre proposal.
“I share those concerns,” she said.
In particular she said she was concerned the proposed centre “does not align with the Federal Government’s priorities in supporting the transition to renewable energy” given that it will be powered by a large purpose-built, gas-fired power plant.
She said she had been in contact with the Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Tim Ayres and NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully to voice her own opposition to the proposal and to “share the concerns of the community”.
Wingecarribee Shire councillor Heather Champion said it was “great to see” Mrs Berry take up the issue while others hit social media to encourage other elected representatives – at every level of government – to follow her lead.
“This has never been simply a climate debate,” one opponent wrote.
“It is about protecting the character of the Southern Highlands, respecting the people who have invested their lives here and making sure that industrial development occurs in appropriate locations.”
Data centres are facing a wave of opposition across the country but applications are showing no sign of slowing down despite the controversy.
Essential Energy has reportedly identified Marulan and Yass as possible locations for data centre development.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week announced the Federal Government would legislate new standards for Data Centres, setting out clear rules relating to energy, water and where they are built.
Each centre typically uses between five million and 40 million litres of water per day.
Mrs Berry said the Government would require that large data centres put as much energy back into the grid as they take out to help underwrite renewable rollout.
“We are working with states, territories market bodies to embed these expectations across planning and approval systems,” she said.
A Development Application for 16-megawatt power plant on the Douglas Road site was lodged with council in September last year.
It is currently the subject of proceedings in the Land and Environment Court after being knocked back by the Southern Region Planning Panel.
However there is also a State Significant Development proposal for the same site seeking approval for a 19-hall facility capable of producing more than 650 megawatts of power – potentially making it one of the biggest in the NSW.
--------------
Subscribe to The Southern Wire Newsletter for free at the link below.
https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/1986abc6-c89e-4781-9db2-cf35c9dd71e4
If you value independent local journalism across the Highlands, Tablelands and Wollondilly, please click the link below to support us to ensure we remain paywall free.
Read More: Southern Highlands