From 11 May to 31 May 2022 we exhibited an Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) for the North East Link Tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen and asked local people to comment on the look and feel of the design for their area. The plan also included connecting Eastern Freeway upgrades in Bulleen and Balwyn North.

In response to your comments on the UDLP, we made some further changes to the design including:

• improved walking and cycling connections
• more opportunities for more trees and plants
• a new wildlife crossing under Lower Plenty Road between Borlase Reserve and Banyule Flats
• more privacy and better views for residents in Yallambie, Bulleen and Balwyn North.

The UDLP was approved by the Minister for Planning on 3 February 2023.

You can see a copy of the approved UDLP and the Community Consultation Report below:

• Community Consultation Report (PDF, 3.7 MB)
• NEL Tunnels UDLP Report (PDF, 28.5 MB)
• NEL Tunnels UDLP attachment 1 - Architecture and urban design (PDF, 41.1 MB)
• NEL Tunnels UDLP attachment 2 - Landscape design (PDF, 29.7 MB)
• NEL Tunnels UDLP attachment 3 - Urban design visualisations (PDF, 21.4 MB)
• NEL Tunnels UDLP Attachment 4 - Urban design overshadowing assessment (PDF, 11.4 MB)