The Marinus Link project has been given the go-ahead for Stage 1 from shareholders while simultaneously ticking off environmental approval from the federal government.
Marinus Link shareholders made a Final Investment Decision to proceed with Stage 1 of the subsea interconnector between Victoria and Tasmania on August 1. The Commonwealth Government also gave the project approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
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Marinus Link CEO Stephanie McGregor welcomed the approval resulting from detailed assessments over the past four years.
“Our team has completed extensive investigations and surveys to assess the project’s impact in line with guidelines issued by the department,” McGregor said.
“The process included a public exhibition period, where submissions from the community and stakeholders fed into the conditions of our approval.”
“We’re confident the conditions adequately ensure any impact on protected matters and the marine environment is appropriately minimised.”
In May 2025, Marinus Link also received a positive assessment of its environmental effects under Victorian legislation.
Final primary approvals under Tasmanian legislation are expected in late 2025.
“This is another major step forward—we are on the home stretch, and our organisation is mobilising to construct this nationally significant project in 2026,” McGregor said.
“As the project progresses, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders, including landholders, to implement the conditions and deliver the project to a high environmental standard.”
The news comes despite an updated cost-benefit analysis revealing construction costs of more than $5 billion for the first stage of Marinus Link and the North West Transmission Developments.
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Construction of Stage 1 is expected to commence in 2026, subject to final environmental and regulatory approvals, with completion scheduled for 2030.
Marinus Link Pty Ltd (MLPL) is responsible for progressing the Marinus Link interconnector project. It is jointly owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Tasmania and the State of Victoria.
