STAFF WRITERS

 

MARINUS Link has begun a public exhibition for environmental approvals for its proposed project, which will traverse South Gippsland farmland to and from the Latrobe Valley to create an energy and telecommunications link between Victoria and Tasmania.

Marinus Link aims to enable the flow of electricity in both directions between the two states, aiming to deliver low-cost, reliable and clean energy for customers in the National Electricity Market (NEM), linking electricity infrastructure at Hazelwood and north-west Tasmania.

The public exhibition is for Marinus Link’s Commonwealth and Victorian environmental assessment documents.

The documentation for the draft Commonwealth Environmental Impact Statement and the Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EIS/EES) and draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) are on public exhibition from May 31 to July 12, 2024.

“Following years of engagement and surveys and studies undertaken by technical experts, both on land and out to sea, it is pleasing to reach this milestone and provide this information about our project to the community,” said Marinus Link Chief Executive, Caroline Wykamp.

“Our commitment to the environment extends beyond mere words on paper, and at MLPL, we take our responsibility to leave a positive legacy seriously.”

Ms Wykamp said Marinus Link was essential to Australia’s renewable energy future. “We are planning to build and operate it in a way that minimises environmental impact. We are confident that our environmental assessment documents support this claim and welcome members of the public to access the documents during the exhibition period.”

During public exhibition, MLPL is hosting a series of drop-in sessions in Gippsland (VIC) and the Burnie area in North West Tasmania, to answer questions and provide information on the documents, the approvals process and how to make a submission.

“We are hosting drop-in sessions along our proposed route tailored for our communities and landholders impacted by the project,” Ms Wykamp said.

“These sessions will include subject matter experts and easy to digest fact sheets to assist people with their questions and concerns.”

The combined EIS/EES addresses Commonwealth and Victorian matters, identifies potential impacts, and proposes how the project plans to avoid, minimise or manage them. Requirements under Tasmanian environment and planning legislation will be assessed in two EISs, which are proposed to go on public exhibition later in 2024.

Marinus Link is a proposed 1500 megawatt (9MW) HVDC electricity interconnector between Heybridge in northwest Tasmania and Hazelwood in the Latrobe Valley. The project includes about 255 kilometres of subsea cable in Bass Strait and 90 km of underground cable running through South Gippsland to Hazelwood. The project will make landfall at Waratah Bay in Victoria, and Heybridge in Tasmania.

At both Heybridge and Hazelwood, a converter station will be constructed to enable Marinus Link to connect into the electricity grids in Tasmania and Victoria.

The project will be implemented as two 750 MW stages. Each stage will comprise two power cables and a fibre optic communications cable.

Marinus Link will enable the flow of electricity in both directions, delivering low-cost, reliable and clean energy for customers in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

It will enable excess energy generated on the mainland to be stored in Tasmania’s hydro storage, and made available for use when NEM demand outstrips supply.

Tasmania’s renewable energy and storage resources will also be available for use throughout the NEM as a result of Marinus Link.

Anyone can make a submission on the Victorian and Commonwealth aspects of the combined EIS/EES and the draft PSA. Submissions must be made in writing and received by 11:59pm on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Submissions can be lodged via the Victorian Government’s Engage Victoria website: engage.vic.gov.au/MarinusLink-IAC

If you do not have internet access and are unable to lodge a submission online, contact Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) through the Customer Call Centre on 136 186 (select Option 6) and request a hard copy submission coversheet.

More information on the EIS/EES and a draft PSA can be found at: marinuslink.com.au/assessment/

 

GIPPSLAND DROP-IN SESSIONS
Fish Creek Community Hall: 13 Falls Road, Fish Creek – June 5, 1-3pm.
Dumbalk Community Centre: Super Room, 29-31 Farmers Rd, Dumbalk East – June 6, 10am-12pm, 5-7pm.
Sandy Point Community Centre: Main Hall, Church Parade, Sandy Point – June 12, 10am-12pm, 5-7pm.
Churchill Shopping Centre: Monash Way & Marina Drive, Churchill – June 13, 10am-1pm.
Churchill Community Hub: 9/11 Phillip Pde, Churchill – June 13, 5-7pm
Meeniyan Hall: 97 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan – June 14, 5-7pm.