Marinus Link is a proposed 1500 Megawatt undersea and underground electricity and telecommunications connection between Victoria and Tasmania.
It will increase energy exchange throughout the National Energy Market, as Australia continues its transition to cleaner energy.
To raise awareness about the project, the team from Marinus Link are running community information events to discuss the proposed route in Victoria.
“Aside from the benefits of a stronger National grid for energy customers, the project brings enormous opportunities for regional Victorians” Benjamin White Head of Stakeholder, Community and Environment, Marinus Link said.
“During the four year peak of construction, Marinus Link will stimulate the economy of Regional Victoria by attracting an estimated $1.5 Billion in investment and creating 1400 jobs.”
After first contacting all the directly affected Landowners along the route, Marinus Link publically released a proposed route for input from landowners and community members in December 2020. The overview of the route is available on the marinuslink.com.au website.
“We’ve contacted landowners, and now were keen to start engaging with the broader community, to share information and take in feedback on the proposed route”, Mr White Said.
The proposed route connects into the transmission network in Victoria at Hazelwood in the Latrobe Valley. It then travels approximately 90km underground all the way down to Waratah Bay before continuing on to span the Bass Strait for 250km, making landfall at Heybridge, near Burnie in North West Tasmania.
The proposed route is a starting point, which will be further refined over the coming months and years after talking with landowners and the local community, and undertaking survey work to determine if it is feasible.
Having released a comprehensive Business Case Assessment in 2019, Marinus Link is now in the Design and Approvals Phase aiming for a ‘shovel ready’ project by 2023-24.
“We’re at the beginning of a long road to determine the final design and gain all the approvals to make a final investment decision, and there will be plenty of opportunities for people to have their say on the Project.” Mr White said.
We encourage all communities along the proposed route to engage with us as the project progresses. The community drop-in sessions will provide the first of many opportunities to provide feedback on the project that will help to inform decision making.
Marinus Link community drop-in information sessions will be held at;
- Sandy Point Community Centre on Friday 29 January from 3:30 to 7:30pm
- Mirboo North Farmers Market on Saturday 30 January from 9 to 12 noon
- And further information sessions will be held in Meeniyan and Morwell in February.
Registration for drop-in sessions is not currently required. These events will adhere to COVID-19 safe practices.
A public online webinar will also be held Wednesday 24 February 11-12 noon.
There is also an interactive map on the project website where community members can view and comment on the proposed route.
More information on these events, and to register for the webinar head online to engage.marinuslink.com.au
Benjamin White, Head of Stakeholder, Community and Environment, Marinus Link
