About the Eastlink landscaping project

The EastLink landscaping project stands among on of the largest and most ambitious projects ever delivered by ecoDynamics, encompassing 480 hectares of landscaped corridor, 70 constructed wetlands, and the planting of over 4 million native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers.

Commercial landscaping on an unprecedented scale

Eastlink is a 39-kilometre electronic tollway connecting the Eastern Freeway in Mitcham with the Frankston Freeway and Mornington Peninsula Freeway in Melbourne’s southeast. Delivered by Thiess John Holland at a cost of $2.5 billion, it remains Victoria’s largest urban road project.

Landscape Australia recognised EastLink as one of the ten most significant works of Australian landscape architecture between 2001 and 2017.

The project corridor passes through:

• 5 local government areas
• 11 major environmental vegetation communities
• 15 distinct landscape character types.

Scope of work

ecoDynamics’ VIC Landscaping team secured a major contract to deliver:

• 480 hectares of new landscaping
• 4 million+ native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers
• 70 engineered wetlands to manage rainwater runoff.

The requirements were unprecedented in scope, demanding innovative planning, integrated delivery, and extensive resources.

A collaborative approach to mitigating risk

Recognising the risk of delivering such a vast landscaping program on time, Thiess John Holland JV approached ecoDynamics to enter an alliance contract.

This integrated project model unified construction and landscaping personnel into one cohesive team, ensuring seamless coordination and shared problem-solving across disciplines.Our specialised expertise in large-scale landscaping proved vital to the success of this collaborative approach.

Scaling up for success

Meeting the scale of Eastlink required a transformative expansion of our business capabilities:

• ecoDynamics’ VIC nursery capacity more than doubled to supply millions of plants
• Timber processing at ecoDynamics’ Mossrock mulch depot increased significantly
• Up to 50,000 native plants installed daily to maintain pace with construction milestones
• Over 100 ecoDynamics’ team members worked on-site daily across the two-year delivery period (at peak).

Innovation in workforce sourcing

To meet labour demands, ecoDynamics broadened its recruitment strategy, welcoming new participants into the landscaping industry. We employed individuals from agricultural backgrounds, including a large number from Cambodian heritage who since have become valued long-term members of ecoDynamics’ skilled workforce.

Overcoming harsh environmental challenges

Construction occurred during the millennial drought, necessitating summer planting in conditions averaging 38 °C. To ensure plant survival we ensured:

• Up to 6 water carts operated continuously
• Planting continued year-round to meet deadlines.

Despite the conditions, the project achieved an impressive 95% survival rate for installed vegetation.

Looking to bring your project to life with sustainable landscaping?

Our Landscaping teams operate across VIC, SA, and NSW, offering tailored advice and delivery for everything from major infrastructure projects to urban green spaces.

We offer sustainable, site-specific solutions that bring landscapes to life while protecting local biodiversity.

Whether you’re planning a major infrastructure project or a community green space, we provide:

• Expertise in native and Indigenous vegetation
• Large-scale planting and erosion control
• Hard and soft landscaping delivery
• Specialist material installation (hydroseeding/hydromulching, blowing, slinging)
• Proven track record on Tier 1 and Tier 2 infrastructure projects.
• Growing greener spaces, together.

Get in touch with our Landscape Construction teams.