North East Link

The State Government has now commenced works for the North East Link Program (NELP).

The project will include construction of the North East Link Tunnels, which will connect the Metropolitan ring road (M80) and Eastern Freeway (M3), as well as:

the completion of the Ring Road in Greensborough
an overhaul the Eastern Freeway
Melbourne’s first dedicated busway
the North East Trail – more than 34km of walking and cycling paths.

Council is continuing to work diligently alongside North East Link Program and State Government on all aspects of the project.

We’re committed to representing community interests with the aim of mitigating impacts, as far practicable, to the community.

Bulleen soccer facilities at Templestowe Road, artists impression — Bulleen soccer facilities on Templestowe Road, Artist's impression

Fighting to protect our community

Bulleen Park

Open space and recreational facilities will be severely impacted.

Protect our environment

Four MCGs of parkland and 15,800 trees will be removed.

Aerial photo of Eastern Freeway in Bulleen

Seven years of construction impacts.

We want guaranteed full impact mitigation strategies in place for the protection of our community.

Aerial photo of Estelle Street and Eastern Freeway

Eastern Freeway widening impacts

Widening the Eastern Freeway to 20 lanes will increase noise and pollution.

Bus Rapid Transit and Public Transport

We want transport and road upgrades to improve safety, local access, pedestrian and cycling connectivity.

Project timeline

What Council is doing

Since 2017, we've been fighting hard to protect our community and environment.

In addition to meeting with NELP on a regular basis, Officers have participated in the Community Liaison Group and Bulleen Industrial Zone Liaison Group. Regular meetings and correspondence has been held with local, state and federal Members of Parliament.

On 25 September, 2017

Council held a community information session to discuss the proposed four route options of the NEL.
Throughout 2018

Council officers reviewed the preparation of the initial draft EES by participating in the Technical Reference Group. They actively met with community members, businesses and sporting groups to understand the community views and impacts of the project.
On 10 April, 2019

The NELP authority released the EES documents for public exhibition. Council officers reviewed over 14,000 pages in order to prepare a concise submission on behalf of residents, businesses and the community.
In June 2018

Council endorsed the North East Link Issues and Opportunities report. The report provides 19 recommendations to ensure the project minimises the impact and delivers a benefit to the community. This report was submitted to NELP to consider as part of the projects planning and design phase.

North East Link Issues and Opportunities

North East Link Issues and Opportunities

5.75 MB

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On Wednesday 29 May, 2019

A community information session provided an overview of the NEL impacts and Council’s draft EES submission. Residents were assisted in preparing their own EES response.

Manningham NEL Community Information Session Presentation

Manningham NEL Community Information Session Presentation

1.48 MB

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In May 2018

Council made a Public Environment Report (PER) submission to the Federal Environment Minister in relation to threatened species identified in NEL project area.

Manningham Council Submission on the Public Environmental Report for the North East Link Project - 30 May 2019

Manningham Council Submission on the Public Environmental Report for the North East Link Project - 30 May 2019

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In February 2019

Council endorsed the Yarra River Corridor Concept Plan. The plan presents a vision for the open space and recreational facilities along the NEL Corridor. This plan was presented to NELP and various State Government Departments.
On 5 June, 2019

Council made a submission to the NEL (EES) on behalf of the community.

Manningham City Council North East Link Environment Effects Statement Submission - 5 June 2019

Manningham City Council North East Link Environment Effects Statement Submission - 5 June 2019

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From July through to September 2019

Detailed legal submissions were presented at the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) Panel Hearings. The issues highlighted in Council’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) submission were expanded on at the hearing.
On 13 September, 2019

A joint closing submission was presented by Manningham, Banyule, Boroondara and Whitehorse Councils to the North East Link project’s IAC panel.
On 13 November 2019

A feasibility study was announced to investigate if land at 2 – 14 Websters Rd, Templestowe could be used as a future employment precinct for Bulleen Industrial Precinct businesses.
On 11 February, 2020

Council unanimously agreed to seek a judicial review into the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) hearing process and the Minister’s assessment of the North East Link (NEL) Environment Effects Statement (EES). We believed the reference design did not provide enough certainty about the impacts it had on our community.
On 12 March, 2020

Council held a Community Information Session to provide an update on the next steps and how Council is working to achieve the best outcomes. The session was live streamed and can be viewed online.
On 15 July, 2020

Council reached an agreement with the Victorian Government and withdrew from the NEL judicial review process. Following constructive and rigorous negotiations, we felt our concerns around the NEL reference design have been substantially addressed.