Key Takeaways
- A group of Tasmanian landowners are refusing to sign agreements with TasNetworks to install new transmission infrastructure for the Marinus Link inter-connector on their property.
- Approximately 46 landowners, representing 17% of the 271 private properties along the proposed route, have yet to sign strategic benefits payment agreements ahead of a December 1 deadline.
- The Marinus Link project aims to provide increased power and data interconnectivity to the mainland through a second power inter-connector between Tasmania and Victoria.
- Landowner concerns include property devaluation, environmental impacts, and the project’s economic viability, with some estimating that the project will add billions of dollars of debt to Tasmania’s already unsustainable budget deficit.
Introduction to the Dispute
A group of Tasmanian landowners are refusing to sign agreements with TasNetworks, the state-owned electricity network operator, to install new transmission infrastructure required for the Marinus Link inter-connector on their property. This dispute has been ongoing, with Independent Bass MP Craig Garland joining affected landowners and community supporters outside TasNetworks offices in Burnie to deliver a blunt message to the company: "Bugger off." Garland’s statement reflects the frustration and opposition that many landowners feel towards the project, citing concerns over property devaluation, environmental impacts, and the project’s economic viability.
The Marinus Link Project
The Marinus Link project is a $5 billion initiative that aims to provide a second power inter-connector between Tasmania and Victoria across Bass Strait. The project will increase power and data interconnectivity to the mainland, with the transmission development forming a critical part of the overall project. However, the project has been met with resistance from landowners, who are concerned about the impact that the transmission infrastructure will have on their properties. Despite the concerns, Energy Minister Nick Duigan has stated that TasNetworks has "no interest in acquiring anyone’s land" and that compulsory processes to access easements will be consistent with existing legislation.
Landowner Concerns
Landowner concerns over the Marinus Link project are multifaceted, with many expressing worries about property devaluation, environmental impacts, and the project’s economic viability. Garland has criticized the economic viability of the project, stating that it will add billions of dollars of debt to Tasmania’s already unsustainable budget deficit. Additionally, landowners are concerned about the impact that the transmission infrastructure will have on their properties, with some estimating that the project will result in significant property devaluation. The environmental impacts of the project are also a concern, with many landowners worried about the potential effects on local ecosystems and wildlife.
Government Response
The government has responded to the concerns of landowners, with Energy Minister Nick Duigan stating that strategic benefit payments to landowners will amount to $200,000 per kilometer of transmission line. Duigan has also emphasized that TasNetworks has "no interest in acquiring anyone’s land" and that compulsory processes to access easements will be consistent with existing legislation. However, Garland has criticized the government’s response, stating that TasNetworks CEO Seán Mc Goldrick has refused to meet with concerned landowners despite setting a December 1 deadline for agreements. The government’s response has done little to alleviate the concerns of landowners, who remain opposed to the project.
Conclusion
The dispute over the Marinus Link project highlights the ongoing tensions between landowners, the government, and TasNetworks. With approximately 46 landowners refusing to sign agreements, the project’s future remains uncertain. The concerns of landowners over property devaluation, environmental impacts, and the project’s economic viability must be addressed, and the government must work to find a solution that balances the needs of all parties involved. As the deadline for agreements approaches, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached, or if the project will be delayed or abandoned altogether. Ultimately, the outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the future of the Marinus Link project and the state of Tasmania’s energy infrastructure.
