Western Downs Regional Council is taking public submissions on the Western Downs Digital Park, a giant AI data centre proposed for 1933 Dalby-Kogan Road, Kogan. This is the community's formal chance to have a say, and it closes on Wednesday 11 November 2026.

Why your submission matters

• We've been left out of the big questions. The application doesn't say where the water will come from, how much groundwater could be taken from the Great Artesian Basin area, or how much diesel the project will burn. Many matters are left until after approval, when the community no longer has a say.

• No one has asked what this means for our towns. There is no social impact assessment, even with a 1,500-bed workers' camp, 4 to 6 years of construction and up to 403 heavy vehicle movements a day on our roads.

• There are no rules for AI or data centres yet. Australia has no binding AI law, and national data centre standards aren't expected until 2027. The application doesn't say what the computing is for, who controls it, or how anyone other than the operator could switch it off.

• The developer wants to take the decision out of local hands. It is seeking Prescribed Project status. If the State's Coordinator-General steps in, the decision cannot be appealed.

• A submission protects your rights. People who make a properly made submission during the submission period can appeal Council's decision in the Planning and Environment Court. If you wrote to Council before 22 October, send this as well to protect your appeal rights.

Council must consider every properly made submission. A large number of local voices shows Council and the State that this community expects to be part of the decision.

Fill in your details, add a line about yourself, check the letter says what you think, and press send. Your submission goes straight to Council by email.