Status
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Background
Proponent: Marinus Link Pty. Ltd.
The Marinus Link project proposes a 1500 MW capacity underground and subsea electricity connector between Tasmania and Victoria, comprising 2 x 750 MW cables.
The Victorian section of the project is located from the 3 nautical mile (NM) limit of Victorian coastal waters to the greater Hazelwood area in the Latrobe Valley.
The key project components proposed within Victoria include:
- subsea cables from the 3 NM limit to a shore crossing at Waratah Bay
- a potential transition station and communications building near the coast at Waratah Bay
- underground cables continuing approximately 90 km northwards to the Latrobe Valley
- a converter station adjacent the existing Hazelwood terminal station.
Marinus Link Pty Ltd has produced a single package of assessment documents (combined Commonwealth draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Victorian EES), to address assessment requirements of Commonwealth and Victorian legislation. Separate EIS documents are being prepared to address Tasmanian assessment requirements.
Public review and Inquiry
Victorian Inquiry and advisory committee
The joint Marinus Link Project Victorian Inquiry and Advisory Committee was appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider effects of the project on Victorian matters on 3 June 2024.
Exhibition
The combined Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EES) and Commonwealth Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and draft planning scheme amendment for the Marinus Link Project will be publicly exhibited for comment for 30 business days from Friday 31 May 2024 to 11.59pm on Friday 12 July 2024.
You can view the exhibited documents (the combined EES and EIS and the draft PSA) and any related documents at Marinus Link Project.
Submissions on the combined EIS-EES and draft PSA can be submitted through the Engage Victoria Platform on the link below.
EES preparation
Consultation plan
Marinus Link Pty. Ltd. has prepared a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
The consultation plan may be adapted or modified to meet changing community needs and requirements throughout the EES process.
Information on upcoming engagement activities can be found on Marinus Link Pty Ltd’s website: Engagement Marinus Link
Technical reference group
The Department has convened an inter-agency technical reference group to advise the proponent and the department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.
The government organisations represented on the technical reference group are:
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Cwlth)
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Department of Transport and Planning
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria
- Environment Protection Authority Tasmania
- First People-State Relations
- Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- Heritage Victoria
- Latrobe City Council
- Maritime Safety Victoria
- Regional Roads Victoria
- South Gippsland Shire Council
- Victorian Fisheries Authority
- West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
Scoping requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement (EES).
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were prepared by DTP and placed on public exhibition from 24 August to 19 September 2022. After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning approved final scoping requirements in February 2023.
The project also requires approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Tasmanian Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994. The three jurisdictions plan have coordinated administration of assessment processes where possible.
To view the Commonwealth EIS Guidelines for Marinus Link, go to: Notice summary · EPBC Act Public Portal (awe.gov.au)
To view the Tasmanian EIS Guidelines for Marinus Link, go to: Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybridge Converter Station, Heybridge | EPA Tasmania and Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybridge Shore Crossing, Heybridge and Coastal Waters | EPA Tasmania
Minister's decision on referral
On 12 December 2021 the Minister for Planning required Marinus Link Pty. Ltd. to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.
Project contact
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.
Proposed Marinus Link Project queries:
Marinus Link
☎ Phone: 1300 765 275
✉ Email: team@marinuslink.com.au
Page last updated: 26/06/24