The North East Link Project (NELP) is an essential solution in moving Melbourne’s growing population, which is expected to reach eight million by 2050. The project is the biggest ever investment in Melbourne’s north-east. It will change the way people move around Melbourne through a series of upgrades to/ addition of tunnels, land bridges and interchange, as well as revitalised waterways, pathways, parklands and boulevards.

Greenaway Architect is part of a specialist design team - the SPARK Consortium - that contributed to the design of the winning response for the project.

Our winning design was developed in consultation with Wurundjeri (Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation). Three core pillars – Connection to Country, Caring for Country, and Connecting People – guided the project and team approach. Through applying these core pillars at every stage of the project, the team sought to create an enduring legacy.

The proposed design aims to enhance existing connections and provide new links to stitch communities together, through developing integrated transport and urban design solutions that will make travel faster and easier. The design also employs leading sustainability innovations and practices. The project will intentionally ‘touch the earth lightly’ by optimising structural elements to reduce the volume of materials and embodied carbon, cultivate more green spaces, positively impact the natural waterways and resources, and create new parklands and public spaces for the community to connect.