Australian state slaps tight restrictions on data centers: 150 metre buffer, self power, water curbs.The rules add a fresh layer of regulatory cost and complexity for data centre developers operating in Victoria, potentially slowing approvals or raising build costs for companies required to source dedicated renewable energy and non-drinking water supplies. Because the changes are not retrospective, already approved projects and applications currently before the minister are shielded from the new requirements, limiting near term disruption to committed pipelines.