NORTH Link’s 2026-27 Victorian Pre-Budget Submission has been given a prominent write-up on the Herald Sun’s website and in print.

Alternatively, the article is also pasted below:

New $5bn ‘uni city’ precinct and infrastructure upgrades among wishlist for Melbourne’s booming northern suburbs

Melbourne’s north is booming, with a population that’s tipped to explode to 1.5 million people – the size of Adelaide – by 2036. These are the projects the region’s leaders has urged the Allan Government to invest in right now.

Renders for the new ‘uni city’ proposed for Latrobe University Bundoora. Picture: Supplied

A Hume Freeway expansion, a $5bn ‘university city’ precinct, and new rail extensions should be priorities for Melbourne’s booming north, a coalition of the region’s leaders say.

North Link, which represents industry, education, health and government sector across seven council areas, has submitted its wishlist for the next State Budget that would “unlock jobs and growth in Melbourne’s North to match the growing population”.

The region they represent is currently home to about a million people, but its population is forecast to explode to 1.5 million by 2036.

The precinct would cost about $5bn. Picture: Supplied

A detailed submission by North Link advocates for a new northern innovation and sustainability precinct, which would include a $5bn-plus “university city” anchored by La Trobe University and could support the state’s energy transition.

It also calls for the Government to:

RESERVE a Wollert rail extension corridor and electrify tracks to Wallan;

PROGRESS Outer Metropolitan Ring Rd planning;

EXPAND the Northern Hospital and plan and fund an outer north hospital;

HELP manufacturers reduce costs that have soared 30 per cent since Covid-19, and;

FUND a $300m Kangan Institute redevelopment.

An expansion of the Northern Hospital in Epping has been proposed. Picture: Supplied

North Link executive director, Chris James, said governments must act now to activate existing and growing precincts to provide local jobs and services near to where people were moving.

“By 2036, Melbourne’s north will have a population the size of Adelaide, at 1.5 million,” he said.
“Our concern is that, if we don’t act now, residents and businesses will not have adequate infrastructure and services.”

Mr James said the Hume Freeway was Australia’s busiest freight route, and would need an upgrade between the M80 and Wallan to avoid bottlenecks and productivity-sapping delays.

“The Hume Freeway is now at capacity, straining under the pressure of significant population growth, industrial expansion, and surging freight volumes,” he said.

A full business case should be developed for the Outer Metropolitan Ring road and rail, the group says.

Planning for that expansion would be done before an Outer Metropolitan Ring Road project, known as the E6, which should have a full business case developed, the group says.

A preliminary business case for the Outer Metro Ring Rd was funded by the State and Commonwealth in 2021, but a full business case and project planning has not progressed.

A proposed new build in the ‘uni city’. Picture: Supplied

The North Link submission says public transport was also straining under growing population pressures, and that an electrified rail line to Wallan should be provided alongside better east-west bus links and public transport options to jobs hubs such as La Trobe University and Melbourne Airport.