The project

The North East Link is the largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in Victoria. The North East Link Authority is moving forward with the design and development of the North East Link project based on the Government decision to adopt corridor Option A which runs from the M80 through Banyule to the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen.

See the latest video to learn more about the project.

Our position

The North East Link will bring dramatic changes to Banyule. We remain strongly opposed to the selected corridor option A and maintain our preference for corridor option C, which is a direct orbital link that would complete the ring road. Nonetheless, we will continue to advocate to get the best possible outcome for Banyule and its community.

We regularly meet with NELA to get updates on the project and significant progress has been made in developing the proposed design which will be incorporated into a reference document detaling the design.

Complementary Projects

We are advoacting for a range of local transport projects to be included as part of the North East Link.

Background

Council has long recognised the need for and advocated for the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road as a direct orbital link from the Greensborough Bypass through to Ringwood. It is a key priority in the Banyule Integrated Transport Plan.

Banyule’s arterial road network, including Rosanna Road and Greensborough Highway is used as a link for freight and commuter traffic between the northern and western suburbs and the south eastern suburbs. Rosanna Road and Greensborough Highway experience high levels of congestion, impacting on road safety and amenity of surrounding residents.

In December 2016, the Victorian Government committed $35 million to put together the business case for the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road, including route selection, planning approval and tendering. The Victorian Government has established the North East Link Authority to oversee the project.

In July 2016, Council sought expressions of interest from residents and community members to join a community focus group to guide Council in the development of a North East Link Project Action Plan.

The North East Link Community Focus Group was formed, comprising ten community members and Councillors to:

  • Provide information on issues around safety and amenity of Rosanna Road and Greensborough Highway from Banksia Street through to the Metropolitan Ring Road.
  • Provide ideas and thoughts on how best to advocate for an orbital north east link between Greensborough and Eastlink.
  • Respond to and provide advice on the draft Action Plan.

The community focus group met on two occasions – 7 September and 29 November 2016, working together to develop the action plan.

The North East Link Project Action Plan (NELPAP) outlines Council’s commitment to work with the community to advocate for the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road and to determine the Future of Rosanna Road.

The North East Link Project Action Plan has four main goals with a number of actions detailed to achieve that goal. The four goals are to:

GOAL 1: Jointly advocate for the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road.

GOAL 2: Facilitate and encourage discussion on potential alignments for the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road.

GOAL 3: Determine the Future of Rosanna Road.

GOAL 4: Promote the Action Plan.

Opportunities

While the project will significantly impact Banyule, there are many other opportunities which will greatly benefit the community. We have put together a list of other projects and submitted them to NELA to incorporate in the project.

Opportunities include:

  • Re-configure Rosanna Road to address safety and amenity issues. As the North east Link is expected to reduce traffic volumes on Rosanna Road considerations include possible conversion of one traffic lane to bus/bike lanes and increasing remaining lane width, extension of freight bans, and undergrounding power lines.
  • Widen Bell Street - Banksia Street link to three lanes in each direction and provide alterations to Burgundy Street to reduce through traffic and improve pedestrian safety in Heidelberg Activity Centre.
  • Upgrade Greensborough Railway Station bus/rail interchange including duplicating Hurstbridge railway line from Greensborough to Eltham and provide a new shared user path along the rail corridor.
  • Provide enhancements to the Greensborough Activity Centre road network.
  • Include bus lanes on Grimshaw Street to provide public transport priority into Greensborough.
  • Deliver Watsonia ‘town square’ and traffic and infrastructure improvements. Upgrade Watsonia Railway Station to an integrated transport interchange with direct DDA compliant passenger access and a multi-deck ‘park and ride’ carpark.
  • Connect the proposed Doncaster Busway to a new busway through the tunnel and continuing onto the northern section of the new Link to provide a more comprehensive public transport service in the northeast.
  • Complete the of the east-west power line easement shared user path from Plenty Road via Watsonia Station to the Plenty River Trail.
  • Provide improvements to local park facilities to compensate for the removal of the Boroondara Tennis Court Complex and any construction impacts including North East Link Authority use of local open spaces for storage of materials.

What we want for you

We have asked that NELA:

  • Ensure that the five new traffic interchanges along the North East Link route at M80, Grimshaw Street, Lower Plenty Road, Manningham Road and at the Eastern Freeway protect local traffic connectivity to and across the Link.
  • Upgrade the northern connections from the North East Link to Diamond Creek Road and Yan Yean Road including safety improvements at the Civic Drive roundabout.
  • Provide a Greensborough Highway service road between M80 and Watsonia to allow un-tolled local access.
  • Include Watsonia Road and Yallambie Road connections across the Link and a direct connection from Elder Street to Watsonia Railway Station precinct.
  • Provide cycling and pedestrian connections at Yando Road, Nell Street, Yallambie Road, Erskine Street, Lower Plenty Road, and at appropriate locations to provide access to the La Trobe Employment Cluster.
  • Provide a new shared user bridge over the Yarra River to link Banyule to Manningham.
  • Provide a seamless north-south shared user path between the M80 Ring Road and Banksia Street, including addressing the unsafe underpass on the Main Yarra Trail at Banksia Street.