00:02This cattle feedlot, 250 kilometres west of Brisbane, is earmarked for a major transformation.
00:10The energy industry came knocking. We saw opportunity as a region.
00:15A Singapore-based developer wants to build the country's largest starter centre here at Wombo.
00:20Worth an estimated $30 billion, the developer says it won't use drinking water to operate.
00:27With well-established local power stations already dotting the landscape,
00:32Southern Queensland wants in on the lucrative industry.
00:36We need to be looking ahead at what's going to sustain this region.
00:41Farmer and anti-gas campaigner Lisa Balmain lives nearby at Cecil Plains.
00:46She's not opposed to data centres, but wants guardrails in place.
00:50What is the long-term legacy benefits for the communities that are being expected to absorb those impacts?
00:59The federal government pushed for a renewables-only approach to operate the centres.
01:04But Queensland's Premier fought to also use coal or gas, insisting increased production will keep power prices down.
01:12Not everyone is convinced.
01:14We need to embrace these industries of the future, but we've got to make sure they're not powered by industries
01:19of last century.
01:20In this drought-prone part of Queensland, water is precious.
01:24In anticipation of future proposals, the Toowoomba Council has banned the use of drinking water for data centres.
01:31It's going to make sure that our drinking water prioritises humans over machines.
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