North East infrastructure & local insights

The wheels are also in motion on the $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop East. The first section linking Cheltenham to Box Hill will open in 2035, with the Suburban Rail Loop North, connecting Box Hill to Melbourne Airport via a new station at Heidelberg, slated for completion in 2053. This ambitious network will foster economic growth, ease traffic woes and dramatically improve accessibility across the North East.

Sporting facilities across the North East are also in line for major upgrades. The Diamond Creek Netball Courts will receive a new $1.6 million roof this year, and designs are being finalised for a $2.8 million BMX track at the Diamond Creek Recreation Precinct. New soccer and cricket pitches will open at Heidelberg West’s Olympic Park as part of a redevelopment, with a new community pavilion to be built by 2026.

Schools across the region are being comprehensively upgraded, ensuring access to exceptional facilities for a well-rounded education. Rosanna Golf Links Primary School has a new inclusive outdoor learning space, while Viewbank Primary School has new classrooms and an administration building courtesy of a $7 million investment. Planning is underway to modernise Heidelberg Primary School, and Eltham High School’s new $8.94 million science block will be finished by 2026. Early childhood centres are being comprehensively improved to accommodate expanded services, including East Ivanhoe Preschool, Apollo Parkways Preschool Greensborough and the North Eastern Montessori School, alongside a $3.7 million rebuild of the Diamond Hills Preschool.

A construction boom will unfold across the shire this year, with work to start on several major projects. In Diamond Creek, Nillumbik Youth Hub will offer dedicated services and programs for young people aged 12 to 25. The Diamond Valley Library in Greensborough will undergo a revitalisation of its outdoor spaces, including landscaping, nature play areas and improved accessibility, and pedestrians around the Eltham Activity Centre can expect a series of upgrades. Meanwhile, Banyule Council is spending '$40 million on a range of capital works projects, including upgrades at Rosanna Library.

From game-changing transport improvements to world-class sporting facilities and schools, the North East is poised for a bright future as a thriving family favourite.