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

NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. Datacentre giant accused of using AI while lobbying for Victorian minister's support for hyperscale factory Exclusive: Correspondence requests state MP Melissa Horne to lobby on NextDC's behalf - but contains alleged AI-created errors Tue 15 Sep 2026 11.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 15 Sep 2026 11.02 EDT The Victorian jobs minister has accused one of Australia's largest datacentre companies of using artificial intelligence while requesting she lobby her colleague to approve a massive expansion of its "hyperscale AI factory". Correspondence between Victorian cabinet minister Melissa Horne and the chief executive of ASX-listed company NextDC, Craig Scroggie, reveals increasing sensitivity to community concerns about datacentres before the state election. NextDC has lodged an application with the state government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares, drawing 225MW of power and running 24/7.