policy
Data Centres Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2026 sets rules for Geelong industrial land use
The bill requires new data centres to meet energy efficiency standards before approval, which applies directly to sites such as the former Ford plant and land covered by the Geelong City Deal.
How we reported this
The Victorian Parliament introduced the Data Centres Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2026 to set approval standards for large computing facilities. The legislation requires projects to demonstrate access to renewable power and water management plans before they can proceed in regional zones, including areas around Geelong.
State government records show rising applications for data infrastructure tied to national AI expansion. This timing aligns with existing commitments under the Geelong City Deal for manufacturing transition at legacy industrial sites and with Deakin University research programs that study digital technologies.
Who stands to gain and who faces limits in Geelong
Landholders and developers near the old Ford assembly site could bring forward proposals that meet the bill's renewable energy test. Local advocates note these projects would draw on the same transmission upgrades already funded for the Geelong City Deal. In contrast, smaller manufacturers without on-site renewables may find it harder to compete for grid capacity if new facilities locate nearby.
Residents in Surf Coast Shire townships linked to the same electricity network would see any approved data centre required to publish annual water and power usage reports. The legislation states that councils must consider these reports when assessing cumulative demand on local supply.
State budget papers list regional energy infrastructure allocations that include Geelong connections. Policy analysts say these figures will determine whether data centre applications can proceed without additional state spending on upgrades.
The bill is scheduled for committee review next month. Local government submissions on site suitability close on 12 August, after which the legislation returns to the lower house for final amendments.