Marinus Link completes Tasmanian approvals process

Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued environmental assessment reports (EAR) for the two Tasmanian components of Marinus Link, the planned subsea and underground communications and energy interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria.

The two Tasmanian components are:

• the Heybridge Converter Station complex, which will include two converter stations and a switching station to be constructed on an existing cleared site adjacent to the Bass Highway;
• the Heybridge Shore Crossing, involving horizontal directional drilling and laying of the cable from the Converter Station site at Heybridge, under the shoreline and out across Bass Strait.

Heybridge converter site. Image courtesy Marinus Link Pty Ltd.

The EAR for the Heybridge Shore Crossing has concluded that construction activities can be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner, subject to conditions. Meanwhile, the Heybridge Converter Station EAR has been provided to Burnie City Council, which will include the conditions in its assessment, expected in the coming months.

“This is another positive step in our environment and planning process, following our primary Commonwealth and Victorian approvals earlier in the year,” said MLPL CEO Stephanie McGregor.

“We’re mobilising our team to commence construction next year — these approvals are some of the final steps in that process,” she said.

“We thank all those who made submissions to the public consultation process, ensuring our environmental considerations are robust and with respect to communities close to the project footprint.”

For more information about the EPA’s assessment, visit: Marinus Link Heybridge Shore Crossing and Marinus Link Heybridge Converter Station on the EPA website.

Top image caption: Planned cable crossing from the shore at Heybridge. Image courtesy Marinus Link Pty Ltd.