State Government Advocacy on a Queensland Pilot to Regulate Data Centres - Location, Energy Use and Treated Wastewater Cooling - and State Funding for Council-Delivered Lifeguard Services to Reduce Coastal Drownings · 2026-09-17 Notice of Motion - Cr Lorentson - QLD Pilot to Regulate Data Centres & State Funding for Council Delivered Lifeguard Services

ATTACHMENT A — 2026 LGAQ Annual Conference — Motions template
(Missed the 2026 submission deadline — urgent regardless — retained
for Policy Executive referral)
Who is the key contact                 for   this   motion?      [email protected];
[email protected]
Submitting council: Noosa Shire Council
Supporting organisation: (blank)
Council resolution #: (blank)
Date of council resolution: (blank)
State-wide relevance?: Yes
Title of motion: Developing a model code for data centres – a Queensland pilot


Motion: That the LGAQ calls on the State Government to develop a model code for data centres,
addressing key issues such as location, water use and energy consumption.


Desired outcome sought (200 word limit):
That a model code be developed in consultation with Queensland councils to comprehensively
regulate data centres, as a pilot. The model code should include assessment benchmarks relating
to the location of data centres (to ensure appropriate co-location with other land uses), cooling (to
mitigate impacts on town water supplies and support wastewater re-use) and energy sourcing and
consumption. The model code should operate as a pilot for other water-intensive uses, helping guide
local government planning and assessment, informing potential future state-based regulation, and
aligning with the mandatory national data centre standards being developed by National Cabinet.


Background (350 word limit):
Every day, Queensland councils and water utilities treat millions of litres of wastewater to a high
standard. Much of this water is still discharged into rivers, estuaries and coastal waterways, including
ephemeral coastal creeks. These continuous flows can alter natural hydrology, affect wallum
wetlands and contribute to sand loss from beach systems that help buffer communities from ocean
inundation. Discharge near popular beaches may also present unquantified health risks. Data
centres provide an opportunity to redirect treated wastewater to productive use while reducing
pressure on town water supplies. A model code could ensure data centres contribute positively to
Queensland’s economy and environment by setting clear expectations for water use, siting and
energy demand, while remaining adaptable to individual councils’ needs and aspirations. It could
also guide the appropriate location of data centres, avoiding land use conflicts, considering amenity
impacts such as noise and heat, and potential hazards associated with fuel storage. In addition to
cooling-related water considerations, the model code should also address the significant energy
needs of data centres to ensure their demand does not adversely affect Queensland’s energy grid
or surrounding communities.


Case study/Example (350 word limit):
Noosa Shire currently discharges treated wastewater to the ocean via Burgess Creek, with historical
flows of about 8–12 megalitres per day, or more than 3,000 megalitres a year. This highlights both
the volume of wastewater still being disposed of rather than reused across many Queensland council
areas, and the opportunity to redirect it where suitable end uses and co-located infrastructure can
be identified. The urgency of this issue is already evident. The Western Downs Digital Park, a