North East Link project

The North East Link (NEL) is a freeway-standard road that is being built by the Victorian Government. It will link the Metropolitan Ring Road (M80) in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen Road. The North East Link Program (NELP) is managing the delivery of this large-scale road infrastructure project.

We continue to advocate on behalf of the Boroondara community for the best outcomes as NEL planning and development progresses.

Status update

Find out more about current upgrade works

You can find notifications about NELP and Eastern Freeway works on Victoria's Big Build website.

Doncaster Park and Ride now closed

Doncaster Park and Ride (DPR) closed on 12 January 2025 in preparation for construction of a new Park and Ride beginning late 2025. The design for the upgraded facility was released for community consultation in September 2024.

On 25 November 2024, Council endorsed a DPR submission which made several recommendations including:

increase the number of car parking spots to future-proof the DPR
provide electric vehicle charging stations
improve facilities for commuters.

Our submission can be downloaded below.

The DPR design is being finalised based on consultation feedback. For more information visit the Engage Victoria website.

Read our submission to the Doncaster Park and Urban Design and Landscape Plan

Boroondara submission Doncaster Park and Ride UDLP December 2024 2.51 MB [PDF] 6 February 2025

Public transport options during DPR closure

Bus stops located at DPR have been relocated to Doncaster Road between High Street and Harcourt Street.

NELP contractors, Eastern Burke to Tram Alliance (EBTA), suggest commuters park in the Bulleen Park and Ride. This is an 8 to 10 minute drive from DPR via High Street, Manningham Road and Thompsons Road. For more information call the Big Build Contact Centre on 1800 105 105.

What’s that aqua dust on the land?

As part of its Environmental Performance Requirements, NELP contractors must manage their worksites to reduce airborne dust and reduce erosion. Part of the solution is to spray a polymer material onto soil mounds and other areas of open dirt to reduce dust blow during windy conditions. The polymer appears blue and it’s biodegradable so will breakdown over time. It will not harm the environment and poses no risk to residents. Call the Big Build Contact Centre on 1800 105 105 with any questions on this.

West Package likely to start in 2025

In October 2024, the Victorian Government announced the Momentum consortium as the preferred bidder for the project. The consortium includes John Holland, Seymour Whyte, and Jacobs and Mott Macdonald. We’ll provide further updates.

Vegetation Clearance

Unfortunately, there has been large scale vegetation clearance for NELP works affecting Koonung Creek Reserve, Leonis Avenue and Freeway Golf Course.

Impacted Council land to be returned to Council after NELP has been completed will need to be reinstated to its former condition with planting of native trees and vegetation and other facilities.

Koonung Creek Reserve master plan design

We’ve prepared a master plan that provides guidance and a vision for the reinstatement of Koonung Creek Reserve. The master plan design was presented to Council on 26 February 2024 where it was endorsed and adopted. The endorsed master plan was shared with NELP and EBTA.

View the endorsed and adopted Koonung Creek Reserve Master Plan on Your Say Boroondara for our design, consultation summary and next steps.

Eastern Freeway upgrades: Urban Design and Landscape Plan

The NELP released the Eastern Freeway Upgrades Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) for public consultation on 9 October 2023.

The consultation was open for only 21 days, providing little time for residents and community groups to read, understand and respond to the UDLP consultation.

Council’s submission to this UDLP was endorsed by Council on Monday 27 November 2023. This UDLP is yet to be approved by the Minister for Planning.

Find out more about the UDLP on the Big Build website.

Read our submission to the Eastern Freeway Upgrades Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP)

City of Boroondara submission to North East Link Program and BTA 6.11 MB [PDF] 29 November 2023

Occupation of Council land for North East Link works

The NELP has legislative power to use council owned ‌land for the North East Link and Eastern Freeway widening works.

The NELP does not need Council’s permission to occupy the land and we can’t stop NELP using our land.

Koonung Creek Reserve

The project is using 65% of Koonung Creek Reserve (KCR). EBTA has installed signage with information on what works are beginning, where and when.

The wetland is within the construction zone and is inaccessible for the construction period. We’re advocating to EBTA and NELP to ensure facilities (gazebos, seats and more) affected by the occupation are relocated or replaced in areas that can still be accessed by the community.

Freeway Golf Course

EBTA is occupying land within the Freeway Golf Course for construction compounds for:

housing workers and their vehicles
material laydown
construction of new roads and ramps.

The compound and other works adjacent to the golf course fairways does not affect play on the course.

Leonis Avenue Reserve

EBTA is occupying part of Leonis Avenue Reserve while works occur on the Bulleen Road-Eastern Freeway interchange until the new Koonung Creek Trail underpass on Bulleen Road is built.

NEL Tunnels: Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP)

On 3 February 2023, the Minister for Planning, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, approved the NEL Tunnel Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) prepared by the Spark Consortium. You can find the endorsed UDLP on the North East Link website.

The UDLP includes designs for:

the Eastern Freeway, Bulleen Road and North East Link interchange
the Eastern Freeway from Musca Street Reserve to the Estelle Street footbridge
the western third of Koonung Creek Reserve in Balwyn North
part of the Freeway Golf Course
former Boroondara Tennis Centre land.

We prepared a submission to Spark’s plan on behalf of Boroondara residents. Council endorsed the submission on 20 June 2022.

Read our submission to the NEL Tunnels Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP)

Spark – Central (tunnels) package – Urban Design and Landscape Plan Submission from Boroondara City Council 946.23 KB [PDF] 26 July 2022

NEL South Package: Contract award

In December 2023, Nexus – made up of Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction, Symal Infrastructure, WSP Australia and Arcadis Australia Pacific – was appointed to deliver the South Package. The South Package is critically important to the Boroondara community and Council because it interfaces with residential areas, Belle Vue Primary School, the northern chain of parks and the Freeway Golf Course.

Nexus, also known as the Eastern Burke to Tram Alliance (EBTA), includes the interchange at Bulleen Road and the Eastern Freeway, cycling pedestrian paths, the first 7 km of the Eastern Express Busway, and delivery of reinstated parkland at Koonung Creek Reserve.

We continue to work with EBTA and NELP through the design process to achieve the best outcomes for our community. We will also work with them during construction to ensure community impacts are minimised as much as possible.