Marinus Link’s latest communications paint a big-picture win: project leaders say the undersea/underground interconnector is now financially advanced and moving toward mobilisation in 2026, and will create large numbers of jobs and supply-chain work for Gippsland and the Prom Coast. The company and its contractors are talking up local procurement, accommodation plans and community engagement as they finalise contracts.
There is no doubt the link will strengthen the national grid and help integrate more renewables, a major strategic benefit for Victoria and Tasmania, and a potential long-term economic boost for the Latrobe Valley and surrounding towns. Recent regulatory updates also refined project costs and benefits, underlining the national significance of the build.
The project’s Environment Effects Statement points to a construction workforce that will swell to roughly 350 people on-site, with about half expected to be sourced locally. Whatever the number, it will severely affect an already stretched demand for housing and services.
Contractors (the TasVic Greenlink joint venture has been named as a major civil works contender) are promising engagement with local suppliers and a push to find accommodation from rentals to B&Bs.
South Gippsland already faces extremely tight rental markets and low vacancy rates; an influx of workers could sharply increase rents, strain childcare, health and emergency services, and pull labour from farms and small businesses.
Finally, the route through Waratah Bay and 90km of land cable brings real land-use and environmental flags, dune stability, removal of remnant native vegetation and multiple waterway crossings all remain sensitive issues that regulators require to be managed.
Marinus Link could be an incredible boost to our local Prom Coast businesses, but community benefit will depend on enforceable, transparent commitments: binding local procurement targets, funded worker-accommodation strategies, health and childcare resourcing and clear environmental safeguards. David Barrett
