Data Center Opposition Spreads Beyond the United States

The pushback against AI data centers is no longer confined to the United States. Communities in Australia, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia have begun to oppose facilities slated for construction close to their residences.

Australia's largest real estate firm, Goodman, has abandoned a data center project in the Sydney suburb of Lane Cove that would have been located roughly 20 meters from homes. The proposal encountered intense local hostility.

Communities from Australia to South Korea Voice Opposition

The developer confirmed it would not move forward with Project Mars. Goodman outlined the reasoning in correspondence.

“Goodman has carefully considered these changes together with feedback received through the planning process, including the views of the local community … Goodman has concluded that it will not progress with the development application,” it said.

Separately, the Australian state of Victoria enacted fresh regulations for data centers in the previous month. Under the rules, projects must generate their own green power, refrain from using potable water for cooling purposes, and be positioned a minimum of 150 meters from any residence, as reported by ABC.

In Seoul's Geumcheon district, inhabitants have urged officials to cancel a data center's construction permit. Demonstrations have been held outside the district office on weekday mornings for several months, according to CNBC.

Residents of Inzai, a commuter city outside Tokyo, have taken legal action against the company that approved a data center project nearby. The suit points to concerns over noise, heated exhaust, and the blocking of sunlight. In February, over 50 individuals held Malaysia's inaugural demonstration against a data center in the state of Johor.

In Europe, upwards of 70 data center initiatives were turned down or curbed during the first part of 2026, data from the European Data Centre Monitor indicates.

Resistance in US Leaves Nearly $200 Billion in Data Center Plans in Limbo

Local dissent in the United States has stalled or held up roughly 120 data center projects with a combined value of close to $200 billion in the opening half of 2026. The tally was compiled by the research firm Data Center Watch.

State-level moratoriums on permits for major developments have also been implemented in New York and Texas.

Sentiment among the general public has grown firmer in tandem with the setbacks. A survey conducted by Quinnipiac University on September 30 showed that 72% of American adults are against an AI data center being built in their vicinity. This number was 65% in March.

Amazon has committed $1 billion to support localities hosting its data centers. Matt Garman, the chief executive of Amazon Web Services, cautioned that local resistance jeopardises the United States' advantage in the field of artificial intelligence.