What we are seeking
We are advocating for the northern section of the North East Link (NEL) to include:
- an extension of green land bridges between Watsonia Road and Elder Street intersections.
- enhanced east-west connectivity across the North East Link and Hurstbridge Rail Corridor.
- a simplified Watsonia Road and Greensborough Road intersection to minimise traffic and provide future integrated land use opportunities.
- advanced amenity trees planted in suitable places to replace the trees that have been removed for construction of North East Link.
- for the Watsonia Station UDLP to be decided as a matter or urgency, and to include a transformational redevelopment of the Watsonia Station that integrates best-practice transport and land use to respond to the unique precinct opportunity currently present.
What it will deliver
We want to ensure the construction of North East Link does not only impact our community, but improves it.
We do not want to see our municipality split down the middle, threatening the heart of Watsonia.
What you can do
To help us deliver this priority, you can write to our Lower House Member of Parliament for this electorate or any of our Upper House Members of Parliament for their commitment to deliver funding for this project.
Overview
Currently, a massive 10-lane, 65-metre wide trench cutting through the middle of Watsonia is proposed as part of the northern section of North East Link.
It will be so big that it will separate people from shops, services, schools and the station, impacting our leafy green community forever.
We have identified several key issues with the current design:
- more than 100 metres wide in places
- community places and open spaces will never be able to be developed above the trench – a significant opportunity missed
- delays and disruptions likely to affect local traders
- separates station/carpark from Watsonia Village
- does not improve existing accessibility issues
- noisy and visually unappealing.
We’ve worked with tunnelling, analytics and modelling experts and identified a better alternative. That is to put a green bridge over the trench that will:
- help keep businesses open and our community thriving
- create up to $340 million in value from opportunities enabled by a covered road
- inject up to $20 million into our locally economy each year and create more than 200 jobs
- create more than three hectares of land that in years to come can be used to make the places and spaces our community needs and deserves
- boost accessibility and access between Watsonia Village, the train station and car park.
Extended green land bridges would accommodate bike paths, a wildlife habitat and provide an east-west connection where locals could link with shops and a new station without having to negotiate a 105m concrete trench.
The North East Link Program (NELP) is also required to plant and maintain 2 trees for every advanced tree removed for the construction of the North East Link. These trees need to provide canopy cover by 2045. We have identified 12,000 locations in the municipality where established trees could be planted.
Additionally, a draft UDLP for the Watsonia Station precinct has not yet been released by the State Government. We propose a transformational redevelopment of the Watsonia Station that integrates best-practice transport and land use to respond to the unique precinct opportunity. These upgrades need to be undertaken simultaneously with North East Link works so as not to further inconvenience Watsonia traders.
A major redevelopment of the station could:
- include residential and commercial development on top or alongside of the station, on the station carpark site
- underground station parking maximising the activation, amenity and safety of the precinct
- include modern, attractive station design that promotes increased public transport use, community safety, sense of place and civic pride
- effectively integrate the station with the broader commercial, residential and open space environment.