MARINUS LINK IS A CON :
An analysis of the economics and
greenhouse gas impact of Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation: 2021 update
Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia has reviewed various claims that TasNetworks makes in
its PACR.

Marinus Link project likened to Snowy 2.0 in damning new report warning of 'dead-weight loss'
Laura Beavis, ABC News 24/11/21

Who benefits and who pays for Tassie's major energy projects?
Another interconnector, more wind power and green hydrogen are all perfectly feasible, but will the Tasmanian community be better off?
Ruth Forrest, Member for Murchison
Advocate 20/12/21

MARINUS LINK NOT VIABLE:
Statements, Tasmanian Times

HYDRO TURBINE PROFITS BLOWN IN THE WIND.
Ruth Forrest, The Mercury 16/12/21

BASSLINK FOR SALE
The Basslink sale saga continues : John Lawrence

So how does this all impact on the Marinus project and Battery of the Nation? There are still plenty of unknowns, hyperbole and dodgy assertions, but clearing up the likely future of BL is a valuable piece in the puzzle.

Biodiversity loss and climate change are mutually reinforcing, but have traditionally been treated as separate crises.

"The world must tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss together". Two UN expert groups warn against measures to combat global warming that harm nature. (more)

 BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE : FULL UN WORKSHOP REPORT

History repeating : Are our wind resources the next resource to be exploited unsustainably with environmental, social and economic costs to Tasmanians? We see parallels with both native forest logging and the Salmon feedlot industry.

Native forest logging is not sustainable by John Lawrence
Monday, 24 May 2021

Our Loongana Valley, our forests, our wildlife, our tourist businesses will be destroyed. Who wins?

FACT-CHECK THE MARINUS HYPE!

UNDERGROUND IS A VIABLE OPTION:
In 2000-2002 the worlds longest underground transmission system was built... in Australia.
The 176km underground Murraylink cable was laid in less than 10 months and earned several Australian state and national awards for both environmental and engineering excellence. This included an "Environmental Planning and Conservations" award from the Royal Australian Planning Institute in SA acknowledging its environmental approach. (more)

What happens next?
The Permit Assessment Process and next opportunity for public comment

There's global interest in Tasmania's wind farms — but can foreign ownership laws cope?
Foreign interest is starting to raise eyebrows, because Tasmania doesn't necessarily need the extra energy.

7.30/ Alison Branley
6 January 2021

Community Meeting hosted by Circular Head Awareness Network Inc. 11 February 2021.

Speakers:
CHCAN - Bevan Anderson
SOLVE - Ben Marshall
CEPU State Secretary - Michael Anderson
Leanne Minshull
Birdlife - Dr. Eric Woehler
Craig Garland

Premier directed Hydro Tasmania to enter into loss-making deal

Two of Tasmania’s publicly-owned power utilities have revealed they could lose tens of millions of dollars on power purchase agreements with wind farm owners.
(Renew Economy 17 December 2020)

Christine Milne and Bruce Mountain explain what the problems are with Project Marinus and the Battery of the Nation.

A report commissioned by the Bob Brown Foundation to test the assumptions on which the two major projects are based, prepared by Bruce Mountain and Stephen Percy of Victoria University’s Victoria Energy Policy Centre....

Renewables and Tasmania – How to Do it Right.

It’s hard to overstate how badly Tasmania is getting renewables wrong.
(Tasmanian Times December 23, 2020)

A further analysis of the REZs:

It's clearer than ever that the Mainland won't need Tassie taxpayer-subsidised private windpower from our State. While other states are focusing on their own needs, our Tassie government is focusing on ensuring private profits for offshore investors in 'renewables' which won't benefit Tasmania in any way. Power and profits will go straight offshore.
Chris Woods (The Mandarin)

Billions in debt for a project no-one wants:

What is it about Tasmanian governments that they can’t grasp the idea of scale or cost benefit when proposing anything for our island? Christine Milne (The Mercury 28/11/20)

There are some things the government knows but we don’t, but should:

The circumstances surrounding the second Bass Strait interconnector Marinus is a case in point.
Most people are unaware of Hydro’s various wheeling and dealings. These need to be put on the table as part of any discussion about Tasmania’s energy future. John Lawrence (Mercury Talking Point July 2, 2020)

Project Marinus and Battery of the Nation are ‘Huge $7.1 billion Mistake’... (Tasmanian Times)

“It is time for the Prime Minister and the Tasmanian Government to do a u-turn and start thinking about how to best use our renewable energy assets here in Tasmania to the benefit of Tasmanians and create long term jobs. We could be a global showcase of ecological sustainability and renewable energy in an age of climate breakdown.”

TOO DANGEROUS:
8 Victoria CFA Fire Chiefs don't want their crews to work near proposed transmission lines.

Loongana's one escape route is a winding single lane gravel road, through forest, over bridges with wooden foundations.... will the proposed Transmission Line leave residents trapped without assistance? (more)
Picture
Flashover captured by a resident in Gippsland (ABC)

Electrical flashovers:
When a current leaves its intended path and jumps from one conductor to another. It can be caused by dust, condensation, fog, mist, snow and most disturbingly by smoke and ash. If this was to happen in Loongana Valley all our residents will be trapped... (more)

Marinus – a Colossal Con Costing Communities

Local group SOLVE is now David standing against a power transmission line Goliath about to stomp down the Loongana Valley. Tasmanian Times Article

LOONGANA VALLEY AND THE LEVEN RIVER REGION :
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Quolls, Canyons, Open Gardens, Rainforest Walks waterfalls and Mountain tops...(more)

BUT DON’T WE ALL NEED RENEWABLES AND NEW TRANSMISSION LINES?

Tasmania, like everywhere, needs to transition to renewables.  Part of that change requires...(more)

LOONGANA HAS A KARST SYSTEM : WHAT IS IT?

The risks to our Karst could be high and the repercussions wide, especially for the whole Leven River Catchment...(more)

Putting Tasmanian species on a fast track to extinction
Handing environment responsibility to Tasmanian governments is a disaster for our flora and fauna, says ERIC WOEHLER...(more)

More of the same: windfarms gaining approval through archaic assessment.
By Nick Mooney... (more)
Picture
double-banded plover: JJ Harrison Wiki

Robbins Island Wind Farm Summary of Risks.
By Scott Jordan... (more)

Marinus Link a Step Closer
Marinus Link was confirmed today by the Australian Energy Market Operator as a key part of Australia’s future energy needs.. (Tasmanian Times)

What’s in it for us?
10 Questions for Marinus
Politicians, newspapers and corporate spinners often talk about the importance of community engagement, but our local experience is that they never really listen...(Tasmanian Times)

LOONGANA on ABC Television
July 19, 2020...(here)

Tasman Highway Project :
The Department of State Growth has covered tree hollows in a potential breeding habitat for the swift parrots... (more)

Findings from the U.S.A. Kincaide Fire:
Transmission Lines through heavily forested areas like Loongana, risk residents lives, and should be no-go areas....(more)

Angry farmer ploughs home blunt warning for Australia’s transmission plans...(Renew Economy)

How Australia’s energy transition might trip over the wires.
Ketan Joshi - Renew Economy

Tangled wires:
Are transmission lines the new battle front for renewables?
Sophie Vorrath - Renew Economy

Powerlines kill more Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles than official counts suggest, expert warns
Lucy Shannon - ABC

Wedge-tailed eagles wear trackers for research into safer flights
Damian McIntyre - ABC

CITIZEN SCIENCE : CHANGING THE FACE OF FOREST PROTECTION.
Our Loongana community have maps out and boots on the ground around the Valley...(more)

Protect forests and
save us from fire.
An open letter to Federal Parliament. Dr. Jen Sanger

New Research from Tasmania Shows That Logging Makes Fires more Severe.
With these risks already present in Loongana Valley, the proposed transmission line easement could put our community beyond acceptable risk...(more)