Datacentre giant accused of using AI while lobbying for Victorian minister’s support for hyperscale factory

Victorian Employment Minister Melissa Horne accused NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie of using AI to write a letter seeking support for the M3 datacentre expansion in Footscray. The project involves 10 hectares, 225 MW capacity, and 24/7 operation; some homes are 15 meters from the site boundary.

• NextDC seeks faster approval for M3 datacentre expansion to 10 hectares and 225 MW
• Horne declined to support the project and pointed to factual errors in the letter
• Some homes are located 15 meters from the datacentre boundary
• NextDC hired former Labor adviser Ken McAlpine for lobbying