WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026
Hospitality NORTH-EAST LINK industry gloom BREAKTHROUGH
● Jacinta Allan, Premier Photo: ABC News
■ A major milestone has been reached on the orth East Link, with tunnel boring machine Zelda breaking through in Bulleen. This completes excavation on the first of the two three-lane tunnels: the northbound tunnel. Zelda is one of two TBMs building Victoria’s largest road tunnel from Watsonia to Bulleen. TBM Gillian is continuing excavation of the southbound tunnel and is expected to break through in the coming months. The tunnels will provide a direct route for up to 15,000 trucks each day, reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes between Melbourne’s north and east. More than 39,000 precast concrete segments manufactured in Benalla have been installed inside the tunnels. Crews are now building the road inside the tunnels and installing electrical, lighting and safety systems. Premier Jacinta Allan said: “This breakthrough is a major step towards fixing the missing link in Melbourne’s road network. “This project will deliver faster journeys, less congestion and get Victorians home sooner.”
EVADED POLICE ACROSS SUBURBS SPED THROUGH TEMPLESTOWE
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■ A man has been arrested after allegedly evading police in a suspected stolen vehicle through Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs on Thursday morning. The Air Wing spotted a suspicious vehicle on Dougharty Rd in West Heidelberg about 2.45am. Officers attempted to intercept the vehicle on Waiora Rd in Heidelberg Heights before it took off at a fast rate of speed. Another intercept was attempted on Banksia St in Heidelberg with the vehicle once again allegedly evading police. The Subaru Outback, which is believed to be stolen, was followed through Bulleen, Templestowe Lower, Montmorency, Watsonia and Yallambie. Stop sticks were successfully deployed, puncturing all four tyres, before the vehicle came to a stop with the driver surrendering at the intersection of Grace and High Sts in Watsonia. A 29-year-old Wallan man is expected to be interviewed.
● Matthew Guy, Bulleen MLA
■ Bulleen MLA Matthew Guy has warned of the danger of Victoria losing the hospitality sector because of State Government in action towards crime. “We are about to lose an entire sector of our economy.” Mr Guy told the Legislative Assembly. “Melbourne is about to lose its hospitality sector from the violence that is happening against small businesses, against family businesses, against established businesses. “Whether it is tobacco wars or the vodka wars that are coming, this Government and this Premier have not even talked about this. “We are going to see institutions in Melbourne close because the government is not doing anything to stop these wars against our hospitality sector. “Whether it is people from overseas or whether it is gang violence that is from Melbourne, it is hurting small business,” Mr Guy said.
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● Police Air Wing. File Image.
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