Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybridge Shore Crossing, Heybridge and Coastal Waters

Current Stage

Public Comment Closed on Draft Guidelines

Proposal Details

Client: Marinus Link Pty Ltd

Premises: Marinus Link Heybridge Shore Crossing, Heybridge and Coastal Waters

Activity: Cabling works for Marinus Link power connector

Class of Assessment: 2C

Important Dates

Assessment Commenced: 11/7/2022

Draft Guidelines Opened for Public Comment: 27/8/2022

Draft Guidelines Closed for Public Comment: 12/9/2022

​​​​​​​​​Marinus Link Project

Marinus Link Pty Ltd is proposing the construction and operation of a power cable and associated infrastructure, known as Marinus Link, from Heybridge in Northern Tasmania, across Bass Strait to Victoria.  Two components are being undertaken within Tasmanian Government jurisdiction:

  • Converter Station; construction and operation of a large converter station complex, including two converter stations and a switching station, at Heybridge, on an existing cleared site adjacent to the Bass Highway, near Minna Road, Heybridge. Information about this component is available here: ​Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybridge Converter Station, Heybridge.

  • Shore Crossing; horizontal directional drilling and laying of the cable from the Converter Station site at Heybridge, under the shoreline and out across Bass Strait. More information on this component is on this page.​​

Both components will be subject to an environmental impact assessment by the Board of the EPA (the Board) in accordance with the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPC Act). The assessment by the Board of the EPA will extend to the limit of State waters, approximately 3 nautical miles offshore.​

The Proposal

​Marinus Link Pty Ltd is proposing the construction and operation of a power cable and associated infrastructure, known as Marinus Link, from Heybridge in Northern Tasmania, across Bass Strait to Victoria.  The Shore Crossing component of the Marinus Link project includes horizontal directional drilling and laying of the cable from the Converter Station site at Heybridge, under the shoreline and out across Bass Strait. 

The Shore Crossing will be subject to an environmental impact assessment by the Board of the EPA (the Board) in accordance with the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPC Act). The assessment by the Board of the EPA will extend to the limit of State waters, approximately 3 nautical miles offshore.​

The entire Marinus Link project has been determined to be a Controlled Action under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) (EPBC reference number 2021/9053) and will require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act, in addition to State and Local government requirements. It was determined that the proposed action will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, protected under Part 3 of the EPBC Act, including:

  • Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A)
  • Listed migratory species (sections 20 & 20A)
  • Commonwealth marine areas (sections 23 & 24A)​

EIS Guidelines

EIS Guidelines have been prepared by the Board to assist the proponent to prepare the case for assessment. Based on the information contained in the Notice of Intent, the guidelines identify the key issues which are expected to be relevant to the assessment of the proposal.

Public comment was invited on the draft guidelines, the comment period has now closed. The final guidelines have been issued to the proponent.​

 Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybridge Shore Crossing, Heybridge and Coastal Waters - EIS Guidelines (PDF 521Kb)


To also view the Marinus Link Converter Station EIS Guidelines, go to: Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybri​dge Converter Station, Heybridge​​


Public comment on both sets of Marinus draft EIS guidelines was invited. The public consultation period has now closed. ​

To also view the Commonwealth Government draft EIS Guidelines for Marinus Link, go to: Referral summary · EPBC Act Public Portal​

To also view the Victorian Government draft EES Scoping Requirements for the Victorian component of  Marinus Link, go to: https://engage.vic.gov.au/marinus-link-project-environment-effects-statement-draft-scoping-requirements

​Supporting Documents

​ Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Marinus Link Heybridge Shore Crossing, Heybridge and Coastal Waters - EPA Referral (PDF 9Mb)

Note: these documents are not currently open for public comment, and are provided only for background information at this time.