Tribune’s note

Minister Murray Watt granted federal environmental approval on 24 April for the North West Transmission Developments, the overland transmission component of Project Marinus that will carry Tasmanian renewable energy to the national grid [TA-260424-climat-3dd1d4b04d3b]. The approval is conditional: 62 environmental conditions attach to the project, layered on top of requirements already imposed by the Tasmanian Government, signalling a dual-regulator framework governing the corridor [TA-260424-climat-3dd1d4b04d3b].

The works will upgrade and construct transmission lines along a 162 km route, connecting the undersea Marinus Link cable with Tasmania's existing renewable generation assets to strengthen energy security for both the island state and the mainland [TA-260424-climat-3dd1d4b04d3b]. Watt framed the decision in terms of economic and strategic benefit, stating the infrastructure will unlock cheap, clean power, create thousands of local jobs, and diversify Australia's power supply.

The approval is a discrete regulatory milestone within the broader Project Marinus program, which requires Marinus Link itself — the Bass Strait interconnector — to proceed before the transmission corridor delivers its full network benefit. No parliamentary activity was recorded for this minister on 24 April; the day's record is drawn solely from the ministerial media release.

Primary records (1)

The official records this note draws on — the raw primary documents themselves, as published.

MediaMore jobs and cheaper, reliable clean energy for TasmaniaMurray WattFriday 24 April 2026