More investment urgently needed for Donnybrook Road
Published on 26 May 2026
The City of Whittlesea is calling for continued, long-term investment in Donnybrook Road, warning that rapid population growth will significantly outpace the corridor’s current capacity despite the latest funding announcement from the Federal and State Governments.
The City of Whittlesea acknowledges the recent Federal and State Government funding for Stage 2 upgrades to improve safety, ease congestion and support Melbourne’s growing outer north. However, the announced works do not extend into the City of Whittlesea and fall short of the full upgrade required between the Hume Freeway and Merriang Road by 2030.
A complete upgrade of the corridor is needed to improve east-west traffic flow, reduce crashes and support greater public transport capacity. This would strengthen connections to the Hume Freeway, employment precincts, schools, Donnybrook Station and essential services.
Current and projected demand highlights the scale of the challenge. Donnybrook Road was designed to handle around 20,000 trips per day. It now carries more than 37,000 trips daily, with volumes expected to approach 70,000 by 2030.
Population growth in the surrounding area is placing increasing pressure on transport infrastructure, with demand continuing to rise across the corridor.
Further investment would improve road safety for all users, reduce congestion and travel times, strengthen freight movement and support more reliable public transport connections for growing communities.
It would also improve access to jobs, education and essential services, while enabling future bus services connecting residents to Donnybrook Station, local town centres and surrounding employment precincts.
The City of Whittlesea will continue to advocate for infrastructure investment that matches the pace of growth across the municipality and delivers safer, more efficient and better-connected communities.
Visit our Advocacy page for more on the City of Whittlesea’s advocacy priorities for 2025–2029.
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Lawrie Cox:
“While we acknowledge the Stage 2 funding from the Federal and State Governments, it does not go far enough to address the real pressures on Donnybrook Road, and it does not extend into the City of Whittlesea, where some of the fastest growth is occurring. While the funding will help access to the west and the freeway, we need to ensure that access for traffic travelling east to Epping Road is also provided for.
“Donnybrook Road is already under significant strain, and demand will continue to grow rapidly. We urgently need a complete, coordinated upgrade of the full corridor so it can safely and efficiently support the communities that rely on it every day.”