we’re delivering 3 major road projects The 6.5km North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen will fix the missing link in our city’s freeway network take 15,000 trucks off local roads a day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes Upgrades to the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road will include new lanes smart technology and a seamless connection to the North East Link tunnels You need to enable javascript to view latest disruptions Return to the North East Link homepage Receive regular updates about North East Link Work gets underway this month on the replacement of the notorious Yando Street underpass in Greensborough in Melbourne’s northeast with a functional drain that adds to the misery the underpass was nonetheless a vital connection for riders making their way through the Greensborough and the North Watsonia areas the Greensborough Bypass will become the link between the M80 Ring Road and the tunnels taking traffic to the Eastern Freeway This upgrade has provided the opportunity to completely replace the old underpass with a parkland link featuring daylight The project will also include a link from Yando Street up to the new path To build the new underpass the existing facility will be closed for at least two years from Monday 13 August A detour will be in place via Sellars Street Note that the M80 shared path from Plenty Road to Goolgung Grove is closed until mid-2025 Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter The Great Victorian Bike Ride is set to return in 2025 on 24–28 November offering an exciting new format while keeping the spirit of this beloved event alive Bicycle Network Memberships offer benefits to all kinds of riders The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point we launched our Affiliate Membership program specially designed for cycling groups and clubs Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry When asked about the key strengths of Citinova’s Albero development the response from the Urban community was clear: it’s all about location Nestled in the heart of Greensborough not just for its modern design but for the unique balance it offers—urban convenience intertwined with the charm of a tight-knit community As part of a Victorian Government high-priority precinct the suburb is expected to see a population increase of seven per cent by 2027 Albero, being the only new apartment development in the suburb, stands to benefit from this growth, as well as from recent government-led infrastructure upgrades, such as the modernized Greensborough Station The combination of these infrastructure improvements and the stable local economy, supported by a mix of healthcare, retail, and hospitality industries, has made Greensborough a strong investment opportunity Nearly half of the local population earns over $1,000 a week with many looking for housing close to work further contributing to the demand for quality residential developments like Albero Albero itself has capitalised on the community’s desire for connected living offering two-bedroom apartments that cater to the needs of both downsizers and first-home buyers Its functional and liveable design, handled by Biasol, incorporates elements that reflect the surrounding natural landscape, enhancing the connection to Greensborough’s leafy setting Communal terraces and outdoor spaces within the development encourage social interaction among residents complementing the broader community feel of the suburb The proximity to parks, walking trails, and green open spaces also aligns with the lifestyle that Greensborough residents seek offering a retreat-like atmosphere without sacrificing convenience Greensborough’s robust amenities and the balanced lifestyle it offers continue to draw buyers and the completion of Albero marks an important milestone for the suburb and three-bedroom apartments are ready for residents to move in We're on a mission to radically improve the quality of Urban communities being developed across Australia We aim to showcase every development in Australia to help you find the perfect new home Artwork for the new Greensborough Station by Melbourne artist Robyne Latham The second stage of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication delivers further improvements for Melbourne’s north east less crowding on peak trains and better connections to public transport To build on the identity of the new Greensborough Station precinct a public art installation at the intersection of Para Road and Flintoff Street has been commissioned Acclaimed Melbourne Indigenous artist Robyne Latham has been announced as the successful artist and will create an installation that seeks to act as a beacon for Greensborough The artwork will build on the area's busier more urban and contemporary feel and extend the civic presence of the station Latham will create a bronze sculpture inspired by the rosella-spider orchid which will be 2.3m in height with a blush pink layer of protective covering The artwork will be positioned at the Para Road entrance point of Greensborough Station While researching the flora and fauna of the Greensborough area Latham was fascinated by the lifecycle of the rosella-spider orchid one of Victoria’s most threatened orchids The native flower is believed to rely on underground fungi and a small native halictid bee to survive The flower was once abundant in Greensborough and throughout Central Victoria but is now endangered and remains in a protected area in Greensborough The bronze sculpture will be left to rust naturally develop a blush pink layer which will also act as a protective coating known as patina Latham’s Indigenous heritage underpins her artistic practice and is responsive to the local community and cultural setting Her works have been displayed at the National Gallery of Victoria the Berndt Museum and the Koorie Heritage Trust Museum she also unveiled a major public art commission for the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation ’The intent underpinning this artwork is to charge the viewer’s curiosity this little orchid reminds us to be kind to all as we go about our day’s journey.’ – Robyne Latham we asked the community for feedback on five key themes regarding the new Greensborough Station precinct including public art and public realm opportunities including representation from Banyule City Council and Urban Design Advisory Panel to select an artist and incorporate the top three identified preferred themes from the survey 'combination of different themes' and ‘cultural and Indigenous heritage’ Works across the project include building new modern stations at Greensborough and Montmorency The rail track has been duplicated between Greensborough and Montmorency there will be a new timetable on the Hurstbridge Line Timetables and more information is available on the PTV website, PTV’s journey planner app and on the Metro Trains Melbourne website Stage one of the shared walking and cycling path between Greensborough and Montmorency the Victorian Government announced funding for a new 2km shared walking and cycling path Stage one of the shared path will be built between Greensborough and Montmorency stations along the railway side of Para Road It will provide a safe and continuous connection between the 2 stations and link with the Plenty River Trail and station forecourts Works commenced in early 2023 and will be completed by the end of the year the Department of Transport and Planning has started planning for stage 2 of the shared use path between Montmorency and Eltham As part of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication we have delivered new secure bike parking for Greensborough and Montmorency stations making it easier to leave your car at home if you choose The existing pedestrian rail crossings in Greensborough and Montmorency have been in place for many years As part of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication project these crossings have been upgraded to meet current accessibility and safety standards including automatic gates that will close and activate noise control warning when trains approach The upgraded rail crossings provide safe connections to the new shared path further improving access to public transport Artist’s impression of M80 Ring Road and Macorna Street walking and cycling bridge The completed M80 Ring Road will take 19,000 cars and trucks a day off Greensborough Road with through traffic passing under Grimshaw Street Elder Street and Watsonia Road – giving local roads back to local people New free-flowing interchanges at the M80 Ring Road and Grimshaw Street will ease congestion and slash travel times with dedicated lanes for local trips and express lanes to the North East Link tunnels More than 10km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths and better connections to Watsonia Station and shops will make it safer and easier to move about local suburbs The project is planned to open at the same time as the North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen and the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road Use the map to explore the project design for the M80 Ring Road Completion For more information, read the project design fact sheet or the M80 Ring Road Completion Urban Design and Landscape Plan Receive updates and disruption notifications from the M80 Ring Road Completion The second stage of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication delivered further improvements for Melbourne’s north east We duplicated 2km of rail track between Greensborough and Montmorency stations and 1.5km of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen stations to allow more trains to run more often New modern stations at Greensborough and Montmorency were also built Site investigations and community consultation began in 2019 Trains began running along the new duplicated track and stopped at the new stations at the end of April 2023 Project finishing works continue in 2024 as we complete stage one of the new shared walking and cycling path between Greensborough and Montmorency Big Build Roads are carrying out works on the Hurstbridge Line as part of the M80 Ring Road Completion The completed M80 Ring Road will be built over the Hurstbridge Line between Grimshaw Street and Elder Street in Watsonia To keep up to date with disruptions happening due to M80 Ring Road Completion works please visit Big Build's disruptions page Receive updates and disruption notifications from the Hurstbridge Line Duplication delivering new lanes through to Plenty Road and a seamless connection to the North East Link Tunnels – taking 19,000 cars and trucks a day off Greensborough Road and giving local roads back to local people we’ve created more space for trees and plants at new interchanges and improved the locations for upgraded walking and cycling bridges landscaped bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road to deliver the safer easier connections local people have told us they need to get to Watsonia Station and shops we’re exhibiting an Urban Design and Landscape Plan to ask the community what they think of the look and feel of what’s planned for their area This includes new walking and cycling paths To view the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) in detail, visit Engage Victoria Download the fact sheet to view the maps in this fact sheet in detail Download the fact sheet The Ring Road Completion will seamlessly connect the M80 Ring Road to the North East Link Tunnels passing through traffic under a new Grimshaw Street interchange and landscaped bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road Five new lanes and smart technology from Plenty Road to a new M80 Ring Road interchange will deliver faster safer bridge will improve local connections for pedestrians and cyclists we’ve moved the bridge further away from homes and created more space for trees and plants We’re removing the traffic lights at the M80 Ring Road interchange to ease congestion and slash travel times The new interchange will seamlessly connect the M80 Ring Road to the Greensborough Bypass an upgraded Greensborough Road for local trips and express lanes to the new North East Link Tunnels in Watsonia A smarter lane layout for the new M80 Ring Road interchange has created more space for trees The wetlands will store and clean rain water and create a new habitat area between Plenty Gorge and Plenty River New brighter and wider walking and cycling underpasses will be built at Yando Street The Kempston Street underpass will also be kept open for cars Through traffic will pass under Grimshaw Street A bus priority lane will improve public transport travel times Two new underpasses will create safer journeys for pedestrians and cyclists We’ve also created more space for trees and plants Watsonia will be upgraded with new wetlands wider Nell Street walking and bike bridge will create better east-west connections for locals we’ve moved the bridge further south for a shorter Temby and Nepean streets will become cul-de-sacs to make space for new walking and cycling paths New shared zones will give residents access to homes on Greensborough Road Greensborough Road will be rebuilt on both sides of new express lanes for the North East Link Tunnels for quicker Two new landscaped bridges at Watsonia Road and Elder Street will make it easier for locals to get to Watsonia Station Generous space for plants and walking and cycling paths will provide better access to the new Watsonia Town Square and future upgrades to parking at Watsonia Station Watsonia Station will get a new car park and better connections for bikes and buses This will be part of a future UDLP process with opportunity for community feedback on the design we're providing $5.5 million in funding for Banyule Council's new Watsonia Town Square The Ring Road Completion will deliver a tough new 63 decibel noise standard – upgrading existing and building new noise walls The 63 decibel noise standard is consistent with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria In response to community feedback we’re also introducing a new quieter 58 decibel standard to provide residents with even greater protection from traffic noise at night – a first for a road project in Victoria they will be between three and nine metres tall and designed to protect privacy while allowing natural light Colours for new noise walls are drawn from the local environment using a natural palette of earthy soil and rock Materials include a mix of weathering steel and semitransparent acrylic construction compounds are needed at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve we’ve reduced the size of the compounds and will be returning improved spaces at the end of construction Gabonia Avenue Reserve will have extra trees and plants and the off-leash dog area will be returned While we’re refining the design through the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) you’ll see us out and about getting ready for major works we’ll be setting up site compounds at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve – getting ready for major construction to start Work is also underway to build temporary parking for Watsonia Station in the power line easement in Frensham Reserve To stay up to date on works in your area, sign up for updates The Ring Road Completion will be timed to open around the same time as the North East Link Tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen and the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road Download the fact sheet to view the North East Link construction timeline Download the fact sheet trees will need to be removed where we're working We've also started planting early in local places nearby including parks The Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the Ring Road Completion is on exhibition now The UDLP has detailed maps and drawings of the project design and an explanation of how it meets the strict requirements in place for North East Link Making a submission is your opportunity to have a say on local elements for your area including new walking and cycling paths We’ll be using what we hear to finalise the UDLP before submitting it to the Minister for Planning for approval and getting major construction underway You can find out more about the UDLP and see a copy online from Monday 9 October to 5pm, Sunday 29 October 2023 at Engage Victoria or visit a display and talk with our team at: 17 Watsonia Road, Watsonia You can also view the UDLP at local council offices and libraries. Visit Engage Victoria to find a location near you Visit Engage Victoria Make your submission online at Engage Victoria by 5pm If you need help accessing the UDLP, or to make a submission, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or at community@northeastlink.vic.gov.au Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, contact Relay Service We're completing the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough including a seamless connection to North East Link The M80 Ring Road Completion will upgrade and build new noise walls to meet a 63 decibel noise standard consistent with the greatest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria we’re also introducing a quieter 58 decibel standard for night-time noise making the M80 Ring Road Completion project noise levels the toughest in the state they will be between three and nine metres tall and use colours drawn from the local environment including earthy soil and rock Materials include a mix of weathering steel and translucent tinted acrylic panels to help natural light filter through the top of the walls To achieve the new noise standard for the project we’ll be: Noise walls have been designed with residents in mind to minimise visual impact reduce traffic noise and maximise natural light They are designed to comply with the environmental requirements relating to overshadowing of residential properties Noise wall locations have been carefully planned to maximise space available for new trees and plants to help filter views for local residents and provide shade for walking and cycling paths noise walls are made entirely of tinted acrylic This allows views from the roadside to surrounding landscape and enhances passive surveillance and community safety on shared use paths trellises and creeping plants will help to further green noise walls Traffic noise will be monitored once the M80 Ring Road Completion is finished If measured noise is higher than the required level we will take action to reduce noise at the affected properties we’ve extended the amount of time noise will be monitored from 10 years after the project opens to 20 years after the project opens Noise is measured on a scale of units called decibels or dB for short Noise measurements are usually adjusted to reflect how noise is perceived by the human ear This adjustment is called ‘A’ weighted decibels or dBA 63dBA is around the same sound level of a household air conditioner (65dBA) you may notice changes to some of the roads you are familiar with particularly on and around Greensborough Highway Greensborough Bypass and the M80 Ring Road There may also be changes to walking and cycling paths contact@bigbuild.vic.gov.au | 1800 105 105 (call anytime) | For languages other than English please call 9209 0147 As part of Victoria’s Big Build, the Victorian Government has delivered more train services, less crowding and better connections on the Hurstbridge Line through the Hurstbridge Line Duplication project we’re completing the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough The new road connection to North East Link will be built over the Hurstbridge Line between Grimshaw and Elder streets in Watsonia the existing rail tunnel will be extended to nearly half a km long The nearby Grimshaw Street bridge over the rail line will also be rebuilt and widened wires and signalling - some more than 100 years old - between Macleod and Greensborough stations These upgrades will make train services safer and more reliable for Hurstbridge Line passengers Some upgrade works can only be carried out when power to the train line is turned off for the safety of workers There will be planned disruptions at these times with buses replacing trains on sections of the Hurstbridge Line Works to extend the rail tunnel and rebuild the Grimshaw Street bridge are now underway and will continue until 2026 Visit the Disruptions Map for more information and plan your journey by visiting ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 before you travel Sign up to receive email and SMS updates for this project building temporary fencing and setting up site compounds to establish safe work zones To keep traffic moving during the day on Greensborough Highway and the M80 Ring Road some works have needed to take place at night we'll be able to undertake most works during the day helping to minimise impacts to locals and keep traffic moving To make space to build the Watsonia Road landscaped bridge and connection to the North East Link tunnels we're moving the Watsonia Road intersection and realigning Greensborough Highway closer to the former Watsonia Station car park We’ll also prepare to move underground utility services such as sewerage we’ve already started works behind traffic barriers in the former Watsonia Station car park we’ve been removing existing infrastructure and installing new conduits pits and groundwater wells for utility services works will happen over weeknights and weekends on Greensborough Highway and Watsonia Road and lane and road closures will be in place at times you will be able to access Greensborough Road businesses between Devonshire Road and Richards Avenue from the northbound lanes The temporary realignment will be in place until mid–2026 We’ll make further changes to the intersection as construction progresses From 9pm Friday 23 to 5am Monday 26 August Watsonia Road will be closed between Devonshire Road and Greensborough Highway Greensborough Highway will be reduced to 1 lane in each direction between Elder Street and Powley Parade Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected so we encourage you to plan ahead and allow extra travel time lane closures and reduced speeds at times on: so please follow all signage and directions from traffic controllers the existing rail tunnel needs to be extended we've upgraded almost five kilometres of rail tracks and signalling between Macleod and Greensborough stations These changes will help improve the safety and reliability of Hurstbridge Line services Works to build the extended rail tunnel and other upgrades on the Hurstbridge Line will be ongoing as part of major construction to complete the M80 Ring Road including new lanes smart technology and a seamless connection to North East Link Some activities can only be carried out when trains are not running and power to the train line is turned off for the safety of workers there will be planned disruptions with buses replacing trains on sections of the Hurstbridge Line at various times Plan your journey by visiting ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 before you travel We’ll carry out most of our works during the day although some extended hours and night works will be required particularly when working near live traffic There are strict controls in place to manage construction impacts when working at night If you ever have concerns about construction impacts, call us straight away on 1800 105 105 The community will still be able to shop local and support businesses during construction We're working with local traders on how best to support them and keep customers coming through the doors To find out what Watsonia has to offer and support your local businesses, visit our Watsonia traders directory. Before major construction can begin in some locations we need to relocate underground and overhead utility services such as power Moving these services will provide the necessary space to complete the M80 Ring Road and protect essential infrastructure during construction We're coordinating with utility service providers to minimise planned disruptions these may be required at times with advance notice provided to affected properties You may notice temporary closures and access changes while we’re in the area Our community engagement team is out speaking with local people about works in the area and how we can provide support during construction. If you have any questions or would like to speak with us, please call 1800 105 105 or visit us at: If you require a translator or interpreter, you can phone us on 03 9209 0147 Contact us through the National Relay Service (extensive list of call options) and request to call our Contact Centre 1800 105 105 See the Australian Government's Accesshub website for information about accessible services for people who are deaf hard of hearing or have a speech impairment Stay updated about the North East Link Program with the key announcements and milestones Work on North East Link is powering ahead with tunnelling now underway after launching both Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) in Watsonia With the acoustic shed at Winsor Reserve and all the other temporary tunnelling infrastructure now complete and both TBMs launched we are getting on with the job of building the 6.5km twin tunnels to Bulleen We will now be working for more hours of the day and night and working continuously in some locations to keep these critical tunnelling activities progressing We will continue to work closely with the local community to inform you of upcoming works. If you feel you are experiencing excessive impacts from construction, we encourage you to contact the project team on 1800 105 105 we are now getting on with continuous work at the Lower Plenty Road interchange and construction of the ventilation building in Yallambie The first batch of our concrete segments for the tunnel walls have arrived with 44,000 to be supplied from LS Precast in Benalla throughout the tunnelling process The enclosed conveyor belt is now finished and operating taking the dirt and rock from the tunnels over Greensborough Road and into the acoustic shed at Winsor Reserve It is then loaded into trucks and moved off site to our EPA approved facilities Crews have also installed a massive mural on the west and north walls of the acoustic shed natural landscape that depicts a visual story from morning to night which features local animals that come out at these different times Construction on the northern ventilation building has started with work on the foundations underway The ventilation tunnel that will connect this building to the main tunnel entrance is over half way completed Work to build the Lower Plenty Road interchange has been progressing well with excavation of the main box ramping up while the team continue building foundations deep underground These works will allow us to build the ramps that will take road users in and out of the tunnels our focus shifts to upgrading local roads and park lands We’ve already started widening Lower Plenty Road at Greensborough Road with more stages to come including the installation of the Iuk (eel) pedestrian and cycle bridge which will connect the Rivergum Walk Trail to the upgraded Borlase Reserve We've also started site investigations around the Silk Street pedestrian bridge as we prepare to upgrade it before the project is complete The pedestrian bridge will be upgraded with improved functionality and height giving the bridge a modern look that will enable large vehicles to travel under it along Lower Plenty Road We’ll also begin building the new tree-lined Greensborough Road boulevard which will include creating a service road along sections of the boulevard to allow locals safer access to and from their homes Work will continue at our Lower Plenty Road interchange site to build the new tunnel entry and exit ramps and prepare for the TBMs to travel through the area next year we’ve moved the Watsonia Road and Greensborough Highway intersection to create the space needed to build the Watsonia Road bridge and connection to North East Link We’ll be working regularly along Greensborough Highway near Watsonia Road. To find out more and plan ahead, visit our Disruptions page In partnership with Women in Construction and the Civil Contractors Federation North East Link is providing Victorians the opportunity to undertake a Certificate III Civil Construction Traineeship paving the way for women to thrive in the construction industry The 18-month program blends trainer-led online sessions on-site practical observation and time in a classroom This flexible structure allows participants to manage their training alongside work commitments This program provides the opportunity for women to build on their existing skill set and forge a pathway in the construction industry. Find out more about employment opportunities on the project via northeastlink.vic.gov.au/jobs We're working closely with the local community to manage the impact of works All works are carefully planned and managed to make sure residents can continue to enjoy where they live and local businesses can continue to operate we use lights to provide safe working conditions We limit the light impacts on residential areas by facing lights towards work areas and away from homes as much as possible We also use shields to minimise light spill into surrounding areas We try to avoid creating dust during construction we will limit its impact on the environment by: Strict controls have been put in place to make sure construction noise is well managed and complies with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria guidelines If you feel you are experiencing excessive impacts from construction, contact the project team on 1800 105 105 or visit our Community Hub at 17 Watsonia Road Watsonia between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday North East Link has partnered with Yurringa Energy – an Aboriginal owned renewable energy provider that will supply green power to the project This means our Tunnel Boring Machines digging the 6.5km twin lane tunnels will be powered by 100% renewable energy Yurringa Energy is creating employment opportunities for First Nations Peoples as well as providing training and development opportunities to support career growth For languages other than English please call 9209 0147 Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, visit relayservice.gov.au As part of planning for North East Link we're proposing changes to local roads in your area we heard that retaining 2-way access at Nell Street and Greensborough Road is important We've developed an updated design to do this improving local access once North East Link is built As part of this proposed design we need to slightly widen the Greensborough Road Reserve at Nell Street Before we widen the intersection at Nell Street we need to seek approval from the Minister for Planning to amend the Banyule Planning Scheme We've prepared a draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) as part of this process Planning Schemes set out how land can be used and developed The Nell Street PSA is now available for your comment Public consultation on the Planning Scheme Amendment will commence on Tuesday 19 April and finish on Tuesday 17 May 2022 You can view the documents and submit comments on the Engage Victoria website or by posting your submission with a cover letter to North East Link Program All submissions must state the name and the address of the person submitting Please note that all submissions will be treated as public documents All local councils have planning schemes in place Planning schemes set out how land can be used including what can be built on and under it North East Link Program will seek approval from the Minister for Planning for a PSA to facilitate the updated design at Nell Street and Greensborough Road To build North East Link and for Nell Street to retain access to Greensborough Road the intersection needs to be widened to maintain safety for drivers and pedestrians This increases North East Link’s project boundary requiring a Planning Scheme Amendment We're updating the design at Nell Street based on what we heard from the local community. We're working directly with residents impacted by the design change. Locals can provide feedback on the design change at Engage Victoria The Nell Street design changes will impact some trees These trees will not be removed until major works to complete the M80 and build a new Grimshaw Street intersection begin in 2024 The final design by the appointed contractor will seek to keep as many trees as possible For every tree removed to build North East Link Major works for the M80 Ring Road Completion is expected to start in 2024 North East Link community engagement will continue to keep local residents updated as planning and construction progresses If you have any questions about the Planning Scheme Amendment process, please call 1800 105 105, email community@northeastlink.vic.gov.au or visit the North East Link Watsonia Hub at 17 Watsonia Street, Watsonia This information is current at the time of publication Please visit our website for the latest updates More than $35 million is expected for 9-13 Flintoff Street It paid the City of Banyule $7.26m in 2016; formerly the Banyule Customer Service Centre The two level 3529 sqm building was then repurposed as a large format healthcare asset and leased to BGH Capital subsidiary ForHealth Group which trades there as the Greensborough Medical & Dental Centre The initial rental agreement runs nine more years but with options AU would be settling for a 6.5 per cent yield – up c100-200 basis points since a 2022 demand spike 9-13 Flintoff St holds significant development upside surrounded by taller structures (story continues below) “Multiple high-density projects are planned in the vicinity…so by the time it finishes operating as a medical centre the value of the land alone will have increased significantly,” he added AU held the office in the Healthcare Property Trust, which recently sold a Richmond asset, opposite the Epworth, for $24m, and the Manningham Medical Centre in Templestowe – reaping $45m The Greensborough listing comes 18 months since Angelo Property Group sold a 5790 sqm Savers anchored homemaker centre at 106-126 Main St permit-ready for a 22-storey residential building Not long later that seller divested a neighbouring retail investment with three tenancies (96-104 Main St) Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected in Melbourne’s west over 3 weeks in November and December as capacity and safety works progress on a key freeway connection The outbound exit from the West Gate Freeway to the M80 Ring Road (Greensborough-bound) closes from 10pm Tuesday Drivers are encouraged to make earlier decisions about their route crews will work around the clock to remove and replace over 550m of railing on the concrete safety barriers along the ramp Overnight works will continue over the coming months lane and ramp closures affecting connections between the Princes Freeway These works are taking place overnight to minimise the impact on commuters Refer to on-road signage which will inform you on the closure locations The M80 Capacity Improvements between the Princes Freeway and Western Freeway includes the addition of a Greensborough-bound lane the installation of a smart freeway management system and ramp signals to improve traffic flow and incident management on the M80 Ring Road Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au. The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app Fixing the missing link between the M80 Ring Road and an upgraded Eastern Freeway The North East Link Tunnels will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes and take 15,000 trucks off local roads a day We’ve listened to what people had to say and are building longer 6.5km tunnels to Watsonia simpler interchanges and 50 MCGs of open space across the entire North East Link Program a team of some of the best builders in Australia and around the world to build the North East Link Tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen This includes Victoria's longest road tunnels interchanges at Lower Plenty Road and Manningham Road bike and walking paths and improvements to local roads Visit the project team at the Watsonia Hub, 17 Watsonia Road. Find us on Google maps The North East Link Tunnels will take traffic and trucks under our suburbs and give local roads back to local people better walking and cycling paths and transforming Greensborough Road into a tree-lined boulevard In response to community feedback through the project's planning approvals we're building longer tunnels to Watsonia – tunnelling an extra 1.9km using tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to keep more works underground If you live in the local area and want to use North East Link ramps in Watsonia will connect you to the M80 Ring Road Ramps in Yallambie will connect you to the Eastern Freeway Greensborough Road will be a better road for local trips and to live on We’re using space created by the longer tunnels to: We’re also delivering the better east-west access people asked for with: As part of the Lower Plenty Road interchange design we're building 5 MCGs of new parklands along Banyule Creek including a major expansion of Borlase Reserve to the north with space to: The design for the ventilation structure is inspired by traditional Wurundjeri eel traps and surrounded by new trees and plants Solar panels on the sides will help power the tunnels below Yallambie and Rosanna will deliver 3.4km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths including: See the map on the factsheet (PDF, 2.2 MB) for more details at least two will be planted including extensive planting along the new Greensborough Road boulevard at the new Borlase Reserve parklands and to revitalise Banyule Creek where land used for construction will be returned to the local community More than 15,900 pieces of community feedback since 2017 including over 870 submissions on the project’s Environment Effects Statement have helped develop the design for North East Link In 2022 we exhibited an Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the North East Link Tunnels and asked local people to provide feedback on the design for their local area In response to feedback received we’re: Find more information about what we heard in submissions and the changes made in response While most of the work to build the North East Link Tunnels will happen deep underground major works are needed at the surface to launch and operate the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) tunnel ventilation structure and new Greensborough Road boulevard The TBMs will be launched and operated from the start of the tunnel in Watsonia with a supporting compound at Winsor Reserve in Macleod to manage the dirt excavated The Lower Plenty Road interchange ramps will be built using a method called cut and cover A deep area will be excavated to build the tunnel and connecting ramps We'll be keeping the local community up to date on works in your area as we build the North East Link Tunnels The North East Link Tunnels are just one part of the biggest ever investment in Melbourne's north east We're also completing the Ring Road in Greensborough building Melbourne's first dedicated busway and the North East Trail – more than 34km of new and upgraded bike and walking paths This massive program of works is being carefully planned so the whole project can open around the same time in 2027/2028 - bringing all the pieces of North East Link together See the project timeline on the factsheet (PDF, 2.2 MB) for more details This information is current at the time of publication, however changes may occur. Please visit our website for the latest updates Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time and half the neighbourhood seems to have gathered outside the modest family home I grew up in Out the front is a real estate board and raised flag to advertise the auction A line of slow cars fills the street as they park as close to my dad’s house as possible The two-bedroom Californian bungalow was home to eight of us A couple of neighbours I’ve known since I was a boy sit on a brick fence and wave as I pass by Like many of the local houses from the postwar years it’s small and sat on a quarter-acre block with large gardens that provided plenty of space for us six kids to play The bidding went fast that day – the buyers were a young couple who began the series of renovations that led to the house being extended outwards and upwards My parents would have said that “it scrubbed up well” I’ve witnessed that same beehive of development spread over the Greensborough of my youth My childhood is buried deep below this multicultural metropolis where the shops are now bigger and brighter – and no longer owned by people whose names I once knew There is a constant line of traffic through the centre of town unlike half a century ago when the chemist and the butcher would have a kick-to-kick of the footy in Main Street Try that today and you might need a chemist Busyness abounds with people I don’t recognise My connection to Greensborough goes back to the 1950s when I was delivered by the celebrated and imposing Dr Ted Cordner – also a premiership footballer with the Demons – in the community hospital My pregnant mum walked two blocks to get there I would hear the milky’s Clydesdale outside my window on the otherwise quiet streets in the mornings horse droppings would be scattered down the road the tatty-hatted dunny man visited our outhouse rubbish would be collected into a pagan-like pyre a few doors down for Guy Fawkes bonfire night fog and woodfire smoke would saturate the air The development of Greensborough by Europeans dates back to 1841 when Edward Green purchased a parcel of land for a telegraph and postal business 17 kilometres north-east of the CBD in the area that’s now named after him During the gold rush, hotels were built to provide refreshments and accommodation for carters and travellers. Only photos and memories remain of the infamous Marble Hall hotel that boasted a murder, a resident ghost, and mayhem. Currently planned for the site is a 300-unit, 22-tier apartment block Greensborough’s massive new railway development is a far cry from Green’s original staging post the Greensborough bypass was constructed to remedy the overwhelming number of cars and trucks that clogged the shopping streets traffic continues to flow around the suburb’s western border The Plenty River flows through the middle of Greensborough although it is not as pristine as when the early European settlers found platypuses and trout swimming in its waters a swimming pool was built into the river and it became a popular spot for locals to cool off Dr Cordner had to order its closure to swimmers when contamination or broken beer bottles fouled the river Now locals swim at the indoor pool complex a dropkick away from the doctor’s old home The medieval-style mansion that was the family home of four brothers who became legends of the Melbourne footy club still remains, enclosed by a huge heritage-listed cypress hedge. When the home sold in 2012 it was somewhat ironic to note that the modern pool complex had destroyed the views from the former doctor’s house Greensborough was a great place to grow up Edward Green would be gobsmacked to see it today Martin Galvin is a retired nurse and Watsonia Tech alumni The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here A line of slow cars fills the street as they park as close to my dad\\u2019s house as possible which has been vacant since Dad\\u2019s death A couple of neighbours I\\u2019ve known since I was a boy sit on a brick fence and wave as I pass by it\\u2019s small and sat on a quarter-acre block with large gardens that provided plenty of space for us six kids to play The bidding went fast that day \\u2013 the buyers were a young couple who began the series of renovations that led to the house being extended outwards and upwards My parents would have said that \\u201Cit scrubbed up well\\u201D I\\u2019ve witnessed that same beehive of development spread over the Greensborough of my youth My childhood is buried deep below this multicultural metropolis where the shops are now bigger and brighter \\u2013 and no longer owned by people whose names I once knew Busyness abounds with people I don\\u2019t recognise My connection to Greensborough goes back to the 1950s when I was delivered by the celebrated and imposing Dr Ted Cordner \\u2013 also a premiership footballer with the Demons \\u2013 in the community hospital I would hear the milky\\u2019s Clydesdale outside my window on the otherwise quiet streets in the mornings when Edward Green purchased a parcel of land for a telegraph and postal business 17 kilometres north-east of the CBD in the area that\\u2019s now named after him hotels were built to provide refreshments and accommodation for carters and travellers Only photos and memories remain of the infamous Marble Hall hotel that boasted a murder Greensborough\\u2019s massive new railway development is a far cry from Green\\u2019s original staging post traffic continues to flow around the suburb\\u2019s western border a dropkick away from the doctor\\u2019s old home The medieval-style mansion that was the family home of four brothers who became legends of the Melbourne footy club still remains enclosed by a huge heritage-listed cypress hedge pool complex had destroyed the views from the former doctor\\u2019s house The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge We’re getting ready to start construction of the North East Link Tunnels later this year As we prepare for major tunnelling construction this update outlines upcoming works in your area including Greensborough Road we’ll need to assemble and launch tunnel boring machines (TBMs) These huge machines will dig the North East Link Tunnels well below the ground ensuring the community and local businesses can continue to operate above ground The North East Link TBMs will be launched from the east side of Greensborough Road near Lenola Street and Winsor Reserve will also be used to support construction works and tunnelling we'll start to prepare construction sites and compounds in Watsonia Macleod and Yallambie ahead of major work later this year We'll also be making changes to Greensborough Road that will be in place during construction We’ll be keeping the local community updated as we move closer to getting these works underway and our community engagement team will be out and about talking to nearby residents and businesses See the map on the fact sheet for more details we'll be preparing to realign Greensborough Road between Wattle Drive and Watsonia Road This will allow us to build the launch box where the TBM parts will be lowered into and the TBMs assembled The small car park closest to Watsonia Road will close at the end of May (the Watsonia Station car park will remain open) You'll see us out talking to traders and residents about these works as planning progresses We expect these works to be completed in late September with the changed traffic conditions in place for a number of years we'll start preparing the site north of Lenola Street in Macleod ahead of major piling and excavation work later in the year Piling involves heavy machinery and cranes to bore deep holes which are filled with concrete The piles will form the support for the launch box you’ll see us start to secure the area where the launch box will be excavated and the surrounding compound will be built with machinery and materials to be brought and stored on site We'll be building a large acoustic shed at Winsor Reserve later this year This shed will support the TBMs once they start tunnelling on the other side of Greensborough Road As the TBMs make their way underground toward Bulleen the dirt they excavate will be transported via a fully enclosed conveyor system over Greensborough Road to the shed it will be safely loaded onto covered trucks inside the shed and securely carried off site The acoustic shed will be constructed to minimise noise The playground and Tuckfield Court path at the western side of the reserve will remain open and some large established trees on the western and southern side of the reserve will also remain Construction compounds will be established along Greensborough Road from Watsonia Road to Blamey Road You'll see site offices and dedicated worker facilities going up plus storage areas being prepared to support works in the surrounding areas To construct the North East Link Tunnels and interchanges some trees and vegetation will need to be removed along Greensborough Road with strict environmental performance requirements in place We've designed the project to keep trees wherever we can and to maximise opportunities for new trees to be planted – including new parklands along Banyule Creek and the Yarra River and 700 new trees for the new Greensborough Road boulevard Borlase Reserve will continue to be used as a site compound to support major tunnelling works and construction of the new Lower Plenty Road interchange you'll see site offices and storage areas being constructed Large machinery will also arrive on site ready to support the start of piling works from late in the third quarter of 2022 Piling involves workers and construction equipment boring huge support columns into the ground to allow deeper digging to safely commence Drysdale Street will remain closed from Greensborough Road to Borlase Street for several years while works are taking place All construction site access will be from a purpose-built entry at Lower Plenty Road no construction vehicles will access the construction site via Borlase Street New walking and cycling detours will be in place while the tunnels are being built to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can move safely around the area 2 bus stops on Route 513 at Torbay Street and Greensborough Road will close in both directions for several years due to works in the area For more information visit Public Transport Victoria or call 1800 800 007 Sometimes we may need to work outside these hours and we'll let you know beforehand We'll notify you before work starts nearby with more information on what time and days we'll be working We're planning our work to minimise disruption to the local community and road users wherever we can noisy works will be contained inside the purpose-built shed Hoardings will also provide some noise mitigation for nearby residents the purpose-built shed will help contain dust from construction Most roads within works areas will be sealed to minimise dust movement Trucks carrying dirt from the tunnels will be covered we'll provide plenty of notice and have traffic management plans in place to minimise disruptions as best we can Light - Shields will be used to minimise light spill into homes Night works - If night or out of hours work is required we will ensure noise is kept to a minimum to reduce disturbance to residents We’ll also let you know about any night works in advance and discuss support measures with you Parking - Dedicated worker car parking is built for each construction area enough for all workers to ensure they don’t park on local streets You may have received a letter from the Spark team offering your home a complimentary property condition survey The report produced will provide an independent record of the condition of your property on the date of the inspection If you received a letter and would like a complimentary inspection of your property, call us on 1800 105 105 We'll continue to provide the local community with information about construction as it progresses Our community engagement team will continue to be out and about talking to people about works in their area and how we can support you during construction you may sometimes see us out capturing photography and videography including the use of drone and time-lapse cameras With construction planning well progressed the North East Link Project is finalising a Voluntary Purchase Scheme for property owners who will be most affected by impacts of both construction and final project design This means some people in particular homes in particular circumstances are eligible for the Government to purchase their home Once the details for this area are finalised the North East Link Project will be in touch with eligible property owners with more information about the process and how they can participate if they choose The Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the North East Tunnels is on exhibition from Wednesday 11 to Tuesday 31 May The UDLP has detailed maps and drawings of the project design and an explanation of how it meets strict requirements in place for North East Link Making a submission is your opportunity to have a say on local elements for your area including new parklands walking and cycling paths and improvements to local roads Make your submission online at Engage Victoria by 5pm Tuesday 31 May 2022. You can also visit a display and talk with our team at the Watsonia Community Information Hub or the Veneto Club, Bulleen. Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe Private equity giant Blackstone is nearing the end of its progressive sell-down of a shopping centre portfolio once valued at $3 billion with the Greensborough Plaza in Melbourne going up for sale with an expected pricetag of more than $420 million It is the first time in nearly a decade that a 100 per cent interest and management rights in a metropolitan Melbourne shopping centre will be put to market The last time was when Blackstone acquired the same centre SaveLog in or to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Read MoreShopping centres Retail property Latest In CommercialFetching latest articles The house at 3 Viewgrand Way was described as “a slice of Balwyn in Greensborough” A three-level house described as “a slice of Balwyn in Greensborough” has become one of the suburb’s priciest homes after a booming weekend auction Barry Plant director David Moxon said the Balwyn-like address at 3 Viewgrand Way sold above expectations on Saturday 6m-high ceiling in the formal entrance and a wrought-iron chandelier imported from Italy fetched $2.685m RELATED: Record April auction numbers: McCrae home earns $900k in two years Every Victorian suburb’s pandemic house price gains Point Cook, Keilor East and Greensborough: The three Melbourne suburbs named the most affordable and liveable Realestate.com.au records show it is now the suburb’s second priciest address behind 135-137 St Helena Rd which sold for $2.8m in 2017 via Morrison Kleeman was listed as “the ideal setting for a multi-home development site (STCA)” Mr Moxon said last weekend’s Viewgrand Way sale was driven by a buyer’s advocate and a Bundoora resident who both engaged in “very aggressive bidding from the get-go” starting with a $2.1m bid “The buyer’s advocate purchased the property on behalf of a middle-aged couple who live probably 500m away,” Mr Moxon said He said the vendors who built the home and lived there since 2004 were moving to Dromana Greensborough where the kitchen has views of the Melbourne skyline Take a dip in solar heated swimming pool overlooked by an undercover entertaining area It wasn’t the only eyebrow-raising figure from the weekend The Real Estate Institute of Victoria expected 1696 homes to go under the hammer last week in the state’s biggest week for April auctions And realestate.com.au had 1560 auctions scheduled The latter’s figures show Victoria recorded an 87 per cent preliminary clearance rate from 833 reported auctions The formal entrance hall with decorative glass leads to a formal sitting room Among them was an Edwardian house at 186 Coppin St, Richmond making a healthy profit for the family who have owned it since 1984 when CoreLogic records show they paid $75,000 Kay & Burton agent Zen Agnew said the house passed in on a $3.1m bid but negotiations resulted in a $3.25m sale – a whopping 43 times the 1984 figure “The property was purchased by a young family returning to Melbourne after spending some time living overseas,” Mr Agnew said Richmond has ornate ceiling roses and cornices and Baltic pine flooring The three-nedroom property at 76 Hertford Rd Another impressive Saturday result was a house at 76 Hertford Rd Douglas Kay Real Estate director Peter Kay said the house had been in the same family for about 76 years and the vendor was “humbled and emotional” after the sale Other big results included 59 Victor Rd, Bentleigh East selling $205,000 above its reserve for $2.305m to a Moorabbin family Crown Property Group director Chris Papas said took part in the auction for the Sunshine home An Art Deco house at 23 Hillside Ave, Northcote with a $2.1m reserve listed by Barry Plant agent Alexander Magliolo Realestate.com.au has 1961 auctions scheduled in Victoria this week which would make it the highest number ever held in seven days The REIV are also anticipating a record week Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Is Victoria’s real estate boom over? Suburbs and towns where house prices have fallen from their peak Julia Gillard: PM-time Altona home fetches premium at auction Renovation builds period Coburg North’s home value to more than double third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Trains are now running on 3.5km of duplicated track and stopping at the new modern stations at Greensborough and Montmorency with crews finishing a 6-week construction blitz that will also allow 40 extra services each week for passengers on the Hurstbridge Line The new duplicated track means more trains can run on the Hurstbridge Line including an extra 25 services every week in peak times and another 15 extra services off-peak to provide passengers more travel options once a new timetable comes into effect on Sunday 28 May Passengers can now catch trains from the new modern stations at Greensborough and Montmorency which feature better facilities for passengers including improved weather protection safer connections to the surrounding area and all abilities access to meet the community’s needs and modern safety standards will continue at both stations over the coming months Platform 2 at Diamond Creek Station was also upgraded during the construction blitz and a new signalised pedestrian crossing behind Diamond Valley College will make getting to and from school safer for students and faster for locals heading to the Community Bank Stadium A new walking and cycling path will be built between Greensborough and Montmorency stations by the end of the year making it easier for people to exercise and commute – and will connect to the Plenty River Trail with a new pedestrian crossing south of Greensborough Station Parking at Greensborough Station is set to become easier for train passengers with early works underway on a new 100 space multi-deck car park and bus interchange on the corner of Para Road and Flintoff Street improved CCTV and lighting and is set to open by late 2024 unclog traffic congestion and increase the capacity of Melbourne’s train network New timetables and more information are available on the PTV website We’re also helping deliver one of the biggest tree planting programs for a major road project in Victoria The M80 Ring Road Completion will take 19,000 cars and trucks off Greensborough Road a day and give local roads back to local people We'll upgrade the M80 Ring Road with new lanes and a new M80 interchange A new Grimshaw Street interchange will keep traffic moving We're also building 10km of walking and cycling paths and two landscaped bridges to Watsonia Station and shops will make it easier for locals to get around To deliver these upgrades some trees will need to be removed and replaced through new planting For every tree removed for the M80 Ring Road Completion Together with North East Link and the Eastern Freeway Upgrades we're increasing tree canopy cover in Melbourne's north east with the first trees already in the ground in local parks will be planted for the M80 Ring Road Completion Trees will be planted to help screen and filter views of new noise walls support wildlife habitat and return improved open spaces where it is needed to support construction We'll also be creating new wetland areas at the M80 Ring Road We’ll be planting indigenous trees and vegetation from local regions We're carefully staging our works to return open space to the public as soon as possible We know trees are important to the local community and we're working hard to keep and protect as many trees as possible We've reduced the area needed to support construction at the M80 Ring Road Trist Street Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve to keep more existing trees and are maximising opportunities for new trees to be planted after construction we will be working with qualified ecologists to plan and manage how works will take place including to determine which trees need to be protected and which trees need to be replaced through new planting To ensure trees and vegetation are correctly identified – and protected where possible – a rigorous process of fencing flagging and final review by an expert arborist occurs before works start Regular inspections are also undertaken by an Independent Environmental Auditor Extensive field surveys will help identify animals that will need to be re-homed qualified ecologists and animal handlers will find and safely move animals to a similar habitat nearby Wherever possible trees that have been removed will be re-used for landscaping and urban design or for local community and sustainability projects If you’re part of a group that could use timber for local community initiatives upgrade the Eastern Freeway and build North East Link more than 30,000 trees will be planted across Melbourne’s north and east More than 2500 trees have already been planted through our early tree planting program Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. If you need assistance because of a hearing or speech impairment, please visit relayservice.gov.au Receive updates about the M80 Ring Road Completion New sports facilities will keep sports clubs playing and thriving while North East Link is built field lighting and practice cricket nets are now ready for local clubs and Greensborough College students The upgraded grounds are ready to welcome Watsonia Heights Football Club St Mary's Greensborough Junior Football Club and St Mary’s Football Club later this year Come along and see the massive upgrades at our Community Open Day We’re really looking forward to using these brand – new facilities which are much appreciated by our students and will serve local sporting clubs and the community for many years to come The new facilities will also welcome back St Mary’s Greensborough Junior Football Club who played their home games at Watsonia Tech (the former name of Greensborough College) when the club was first formed in 1973 These upgrades are part of North East Link’s $68 million investment into local sports upgrades and was delivered in conjunction with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) For more information about upgrades to Greensborough College and other sports facilities in the area, visit our sports facilities page We’re starting works on the M80 Ring Road Completion including a seamless connection to North East Link The M80 Ring Road Completion will take 19,000 cars and trucks a day off Greensborough Road with traffic passing under Grimshaw Street New interchanges at the M80 Ring Road and Grimshaw Street will ease congestion and slash travel times with dedicated lanes for local trips and express lanes to North East Link 10km of walking and cycling paths will help locals get to schools As we prepare to start major construction this year crews are busy establishing work sites across the project area The Frensham Reserve offset car park for Watsonia Station will open in early April This will allow us to close Watsonia Station car park in April and use the space to build the M80 Ring Road Completion Accessible parking spaces and the bus stop will remain within the existing Watsonia Station car park near the station entrance We’ll rebuild a new car park next to the station ready for people to use when the project is complete in 2028 The local community will be able to see and give feedback on the design before construction on the new car park starts We'll carry out most of our works during the day When working extended hours and doing night works we'll provide more information to nearby residents beforehand We’re continuing work to set up site compounds at AK Lines Reserve and Gabonia Avenue Reserve in Watsonia workforce parking and material and equipment storage needed to support major construction Both reserves will be returned to the local community with improvements when the project is completed To ensure local clubs that use the reserves can continue to thrive during construction we’ve built new multimillion dollar facilities at Binnak Park and Greensborough College nearby For the safety of road users and our workers we’re building work areas with access points and haul roads for construction vehicles along the M80 Ring Road Greensborough Bypass and Greensborough Highway Crews will remove selected trees where necessary and clear topsoil to install traffic barriers and fencing Setting up work sites allows us to start utility relocation works install temporary noise walls and realign roads The centre median on Greensborough Highway will soon be removed to realign Greensborough Highway to create space for major construction Reduced speeds and lane closures will be in place over several weekends from Friday 15 March Traffic management will be in place to help people move safely through the area For more information check bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions A longer rail tunnel will run under an upgraded Greensborough Road and new express lanes to North East Link We'll continue to work in and around the rail corridor this year as we prepare to extend the rail tunnel buses will replace trains on sections of the Hurstbridge Line For further details and to plan your journey, please visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 The second round of North East Community Fund recipients have been announced More than 45 projects will receive over $2 million worth of funding to support their local community Watsonia Primary School and Watsonia North Primary School are three recipients of the latest round of funding Concord School will use their $65,000 grant to build a quiet nature play zone to help students to connect with the environment Watsonia Primary School will get almost $55,000 to upgrade the school’s playground and apply acoustic treatments to the community hall Watsonia North Primary School will use their $75,000 grant to build an indigenous garden and outdoor learning space We’ll release information later this year about more funding opportunities in 2024. For more information, please visit northeastlink.vic.gov.au/communityfund We’ll plant indigenous trees and vegetation from local regions and use fast-growing native species to help shade walking and cycling paths create new wetland areas and return local reserves We'll also launch the next round of the Backyard Tree Planting Program for residents and community groups later this year This program is on top of work already underway to plant at least two trees for every one removed for construction In an Australian first for the construction industry we’ve successfully trialled 100 per cent recycled cardboard and plastic hoarding panels at our Gabonia Avenue Reserve site compound in Watsonia We're now installing this type of temporary hoarding in various locations across the project Compared with traditional plywood hoardings recycled hoarding is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 70 per cent seven kilograms of waste is diverted from landfill Recycled cardboard hoarding also provides better noise protection than traditional plywood hoarding we’ll recycle the hoarding and seek opportunities to reuse panels on other projects We're assembling the first pieces of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) into the launch box at Watsonia before tunnelling begins later this year We're also constructing an 80-metre tower crane at Lower Plenty which will help support deeper digging at the far southern end of the site Thanks for sharing your feedback on the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) while it was on exhibition in October last year We’re working through your comments now and looking at where we can make changes to the project design to reflect what local people want to see in their area We’ll be providing an update later this year ahead of major construction Picture suppliedFor more than three decades Harold Connell has been putting smiles on the faces of children and adults alike Harold has been the resident Santa at Greensborough Plaza for 34 years making him the longest serving Santa in Melbourne A lover of all things Christmas, he first started playing Santa while working for Greensborough Fire Brigade in the 1970s. He used to play Santa at the nearby toy store and filled in one year for Christmas celebrations on Main Street When they built the new shopping centre across the road from the station he decided to apply for the role of resident Santa Claus and has been doing it ever since Harold said he gets a lot of happiness from being around the kids and seeing the joy on their faces and when you've got all these young people around you Harold said that has changed a lot over the years and while a lot of the young girls still ask for dolls the majority of kids these days are asking for things to do with technology and computer equipment in which case Harold always tries to make eye contact with the parents to gauge their feelings before giving his response While the vast majority of Harold's experiences at the centre have been positive One year a little girl sat on his lap and said her wish was for her Dad to come back home Then there was the bittersweet moment of a woman in her 80s who burst into tears of joy after sitting on his lap - explaining that she had never been able to sit on Santa's lap as a child because her family had not been able to afford to pay for a meeting Adults asking to meet Santa and sometimes sit on his lap to take photos for their families is a regular occurrence as are visits from those who used to sit on his lap as children and are now grown up Some people come to the store specifically asking to see 'Santa Harold' and he has established a bond with some families that transcends generations "A lady came in a couple of years ago and had these three boys who were all six foot tall standing together and she said you held these kids when they were babies' "People come in with their photos and say these are all the photos we've had with you It is not only the shopping centre where he is recognised and identified He recounts one amusing story of being recognised at his holiday home in Barmah "A bloke was cleaning out my septic tank and he said 'are you Santa Harold?' My wife adores you He was one of seven siblings and said Christmas was always a big deal in the Connell household and we always made the most of Christmas," he said someone would come up and give my meal to me." The 82-year-old has two great grandchildren now and is enjoying sharing the joy of Christmas with the younger generation "You can do that much with them - they love hiding and doing that type of thing and when we sit around the lounge and give presents out One of his great grandchildren is new born so he has extra reason to be excited about donning the Santa suit again this year "That's one of reasons I'm doing it this year not all of the family's children have been so receptive to him while he was wearing his Santa suit his daughter Caroline took her to see Santa for the first time She went into the corner and started crying She came home and sat next to me on the lounge and said "She was cuddling up to him and didn't know it." Macy has well and truly overcome her fear of Santa She even volunteered as one of her grandfather's helper elves at the centre one year my name is Rowan Cowley and I'm a reporter for The Senior newspaper I have special interests in the areas of entertainment the arts and history and would like to hear from anyone who feels they have a good story idea Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy Another great set of Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 matches are in store this weekend including a top of the table blockbuster and a semi-final rematch The current top two sides in the competition in Greensborough and Heidelberg will meet in what’s shaping up as a massive game at Greensborough War Memorial Park The Boro occupied top spot for the opening month of the season after winning their first four games by an average of 38 points they let the position slip from their grasp last weekend after going down by 10 points to Banyule Despite terrific performances from young guns Deakin Lawler and Kristian Ferronato in the absence of key players such as Harrison Andronaco and Jamie Smith Greensborough’s inaccuracy cost them dearly kicking 8.17 to Banyule’s 11.9 to register their lowest score of the season Sharper shooting in front of goal will be crucial if Matthew Hyde’s men are to get close to a Heidelberg side that has won its last 22 games Last weekend saw the Tigers register another comfortable win in the Grand Final rematch over Bundoora with Mitchell Jorgensen’s three goal performance seeing him earn 10 Coaches MVP votes Luke Bunker and Dylan Clarke continued their strong starts to the season with Clarke sitting equal first in the Division 1 Coaches MVP table Some notes to keep an eye out for in this clash include the fact that both teams enter this clash sitting in the top two in the competition for points for and least points conceded after five matches The Tigers have won the last four meetings between the two sides with the Boro not winning a game against the reigning premiers since Round 17 But with renewed energy under first-year coach Matthew Hyde Greensborough will give themselves every chance of knocking over the team to beat in 2024 The stakes won’t be as high as their semi-final meeting last year but it’s still a must win game for both North Heidelberg and Montmorency when they do battle at Shelley Street Reserve Jason Heatley’s men have shaken off their early season blues with back-to-back victories against winless sides Bundoora and Macleod to sit back inside the top five What’s aided the Bulldogs in the last fortnight has been their 2024 recruits Ben Giobbi played his first game of the season after coming across from Euroa and had an immediate impact alongside Lachlan Smith who came to the club from Kyabram in the last week Both men finished with Coaches MVP award votes for their efforts But what North Heidelberg will be keen to get back to is their ability to put sides away They’re averaging 13 less points a game than they did in 2023 while they’ve won two of three matches by 30 points or less this season something they only did twice in 13 matches last year They have a chance to pile on the pressure on Montmorency who have struggled with consistency and sit in seventh position with a 2-3 record The Magpies went down to Hurstbridge by 17 points at home last week despite star forwards Ayhan Bajramov and Patrick Fitzgerald combining for seven of their side’s 10 goals for the afternoon They also saw the return of Ben Paterson for his second match of the season and while he didn’t get on the scoreboard was still influential enough to finish in his sides best again Another loss for Montmorency will see them on a three-game losing streak for the first time since 2022 when they fell short in three matches from Round 16 to the qualifying final But as they meet North Heidelberg for the first time since their disappointing first semi-final last year the Magpies will be keen to turn the tables this weekend Banyule and Eltham will renew acquaintances for the first time since the 2022 MC Labour Division 2 Grand Final when they face off at Beverley Road Oval the Bears will go into this game as heavy favourites after arguably their most impressive win in club history when they defeated an unbeaten Greensborough outfit away from home Sam McLarty and Jack Sammartino were once again among the best while young stars Davin Cameron and Lewin Davis combined for seven of Banyule’s 11 goals in the triumph Montmorency and Greensborough this year while also leading Heidelberg at half time before falling short by 30 points a few weeks ago signalling their intent to be one of the sides to watch out for in September It’s set to be a slightly simpler task against an Eltham this weekend who have still got just one win to their name in their return to the top flight the Panthers were blown away in their Round 5 defeat to West Preston-Lakeside suffering their biggest loss of the season and producing their second straight game of kicking just eight goals Harvey Furlong and Ben Montanaro have been shining lights for Tim Bongetti’s side despite defeats in the last fortnight being named in their side’s best in both games while Alex Bellchambers continues his good form since returning to the senior side Banyule defeated the Panthers in both finals matches during their premiership run in 2022 and while they will be intent on keeping the streak going on Saturday Eltham will have a point to prove as they look to bounce back from recent defeats West Preston-Lakeside will look to continue its brilliant run during the last couple of weeks when they play Bundoora at J.E the young Roosters have turned over a new leaf to start season 2024 after a slow opening fortnight Led by Division 1 Coaches MVP award leader Max Dreher’s 10 vote outing along with five goals each to Dante Colosimo and Kobe Brown the Roosters were able to put the foot to the pedal in last weekend’s big win over Eltham It was the club’s biggest total score since Round 13 2022 and their largest winning margin since Round 15 highlighting the positives steps that the Roosters are taking this season They will get the opportunity to continue to improve against Bundoora who are still yet to register a win in 2024 as well as solid performances from Nelson Lane and Sam Green the Bulls still went down convincingly to reigning premiers Heidelberg in their Grand Final rematch last week The Bulls have not had a losing streak of greater than five since they were defeated in the final nine matches of the 2019 season however the fact that they have only lost two matches by greater than five goals does suggest a triumph is not far away for Heath Scotland’s men The last three meetings between the two saw Bundoora come out on top by more than 100 points But with the form that West Preston-Lakeside are in at that moment the Roosters will look to defeat the Bulls for the first time since the opening round of the 2022 season Hurstbridge will look to end the first third of the season with a 5-1 record as they welcome Macleod this weekend to Ben Frilay Oval Their fourth victory of the year has been their most impressive to date holding off Montmorency away from home to win by 17 points the Bridges were able to pull off their first win at Montmorency Park since joining the top flight in 2017 It’s officially the club’s best start to a Division 1 campaign but also through the fact they are averaging 15 more points than they did in the first five matches of last season They’ll have the opportunity to break more top flight records when they face a Macleod outfit who are looking to open their account in 2024 They were very close to doing so in Round 5 after putting up an admirable performance against North Heidelberg It continues Macleod’s trend of being competitive in most matches so far this season having lost just one match by more than six goals Their ability to do has come thanks to both Darcy Barden and Zac Hudson who have each produced outstanding seasons to date the latter earning another six Coaches MVP award votes on the weekend to sit two points behind joint leaders Dylan Clarke and Max Dreher the Bridges produced a tight 15-point triumph that secured their first finals berth in Division 1 and with Macleod showing signs of improvement again last weekend the final margin could be just as competitive Only four teams remain undefeated in the NFNL Women’s Competition as the grading period came to an end on Sunday reserves and under-19.5 game this weekend in the NFNL The selected teams are in for this week’s NFNL senior football matches © Copyright 2023 Northern Football Netball League We've now released final designs for the new Greensborough and Montmorency stations which will be rebuilt as part of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication The final designs combine community feedback with the natural features of the local areas and benefits of modern new stations You told us you wanted to ensure the station precincts incorporate more vegetation and landscaping improve facilities and accessibility for all and include more station parking with new straight platforms eliminating the gap between the train and platform There will also be improved lighting and CCTV cameras throughout the precincts improving safety and security for passengers Community feedback has also helped shape the new Greensborough Station The Greensborough community told us they preferred modern The final design reflects these preferences with the colours and feel of the buildings and landscaping complementing the surrounds The new Montmorency station will remain in the heart of Montmorency village and will improve connections around the area We heard strong preferences for a minimalist design that blends into the local environment with low visual impact native vegetation and use of natural materials Find out more in our Greensborough and Montmorency consultation report shrubs and grasses around the Greensborough and Montmorency Station precincts will take place as part of our major works The Hurstbridge Line Duplication is part of an $18 billion investment in dozens of major transport projects in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs Construction will begin now that contracts have been awarded for the $530 million project the project will generate 1500 jobs at peak construction We're undertaking a massive upgrade of the M80 Ring Road reducing travel times and creating better connections for the community During consultation for the Environment Effects Statement in 2019 we heard that keeping Nell Street open to two-way traffic was important to the community We need to slightly widen the Greensborough Road Reserve at Nell Street to allow for this improved design as we build North East Link we asked locals around Nell Street what they thought about the proposed changes We received 26 submissions to inform a Planning Scheme Amendment for the Department of Environment Locals want to keep using streets like they normally do once North East Link is built Residents want to know how traffic will change during construction and once North East Link is built As North East Link will be built under Grimshaw Street traffic will be taken under instead of through our local suburbs – giving local roads back to the community The look and feel of Nell Street is important to the community We'll be able to share designs for the local area in 2023 after we've appointed a contractor for this section of works Residents want to know how they will be affected by construction Building a project of this size comes with unavoidable impacts we will be working closely with the community to manage these impacts where we can Before major construction gets underway in 2024 we will be in touch with residents with more details about works planned for their area and expected impacts The Nell Street Planning Scheme Amendment was approved in September 2022 We will continue with design work for this location and keep locals up to date as this progresses The community will be able to provide feedback on the look and feel as part of the Urban Design and Landscape Plan exhibition in 2023 Stay updated about the North East Link Program with the key announcements and milestones.