QWN – Marinus Project Expert Advisory Panel Finding 6

Legislative Council, Tuesday Wednesday 20 May 2026

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for ENERGY and RENEWABLES, Mr DUIGAN

With regard to Government’s Marinus Project Expert Advisory Panel, Finding 6 and recommendation of an immediate establishment of a senior whole-of-government taskforce reporting to the Premier, and the commissioning of a Cumulative Impact Assessment to understand how concurrent energy projects will affect housing, transport, health services, skilled labour, and community wellbeing:

1. has the Taskforce been established;
   1. if so, when was it established;
   2. who is on the panel;
   3. what work has been done on the Cumulative Impact Assessment;
   4. have any reports been provided to the Premier; and
      1. if so, please provide a copy.
2. If the Taskforce has not been established:

2. Why not; and
3. When will it be established?

ANSWER:  With regard to the government taskforce that has been established, my understanding is that the governance for Project Marinus and Marinus link and North West Transmission Developments, the governance overarching framework has been published on, I’m going to say, the Renewables, Climate, Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT) website and that would point you to the answer you seek there around the taskforce.

The government understands, of course, the importance of ensuring strong oversight, cost controls and coordination of delivery of all elements and I’m very pleased recently to have had an opportunity to meet with fellow shareholder ministers from Victoria and the Commonwealth to discuss various aspects of the project.

I would note that on the Tasmanian side of Bass Strait, things are progressing well with Project Marinus. We have received the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s approval for the Northwest Transmission Developments. We also seek Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation approval and, of course, TasNetworks has recently proceeded to financial close for that part of the development. In terms of other parts of your question, are we talking about the housing strategy?

Ms Forrest – Cumulative impact assessment.

Mr DUIGAN – I beg your pardon?

Ms Forrest – The cumulative impact assessment.

Mr DUIGAN – I might need to seek some advice on that, or can I come back to you on that one: The cumulative impact assessment?

Ms Forrest – Has it started?

 Mr DUIGAN – I would need to seek some advice on that.

Ms Forrest – So who’s on the panel?

Mr DUIGAN – It’s published on the ReCFIT website if you’d like to have a look at that.