About the North East Link State Tolling Corporation

STC is a corporation established under the North East Link Act 2020 and is an entity within Victoria’s transport and planning portfolio, which is led by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). DTP and its entities share responsibility for Victoria’s transport and planning systems. Our common aim is to create thriving places and connected communities that underpin an inclusive, successful and sustainable state.

DTP is an integrated department that brings together transport, planning, land, precinct, and policy functions. It serves four ministers and two parliamentary secretaries. STC and its initiatives are vital contributors to the transport and planning portfolio.

STC’s vision statement enables the organisation to fulfil its mandate as the commercial owner and operator of the North East Link, while also supporting the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) broader strategy for the transport network.

Vision

STC's vision and purpose captures the State’s overall policy intent in creating STC. By contributing to the value and legacy of the North East Link, STC supports DTP’s purpose of creating sustainable, safe, and connected transport journeys.

Purpose

Values

STC acknowledges and abides by the seven VPS core values outlined in the Public Administration Act 2004. In addition, STC has adopted four values that reflect STC’s culture purpose and responsibilities.

• Excellent
• Innovation
• Respect
• Collaboration

STC’s role in delivery of the North East Link

The North East Link (NEL) is the largest investment in a road project in Victoria’s history. It will complete the missing link in Melbourne’s orbital freeway network between an upgraded Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road. The new road will improve traffic flow, reduce travel times, remove non-local traffic from local roads and increase reliability for road users with up to 135,000 vehicles using the road daily and removing up to 15,000 trucks from local roads.

Along with the State and Spark North East Link Pty Ltd, STC is a signatory to the public–private partnership (PPP) contracts that govern the NEL primary tunnel package. STC funds PPP costs from toll revenue it will collect from vehicles and, upon completion, will be the designated road authority under the Roads Management Act 2004. When the NEL opens to traffic, STC will become the primary contract administrator of the PPP.

The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) is responsible for delivering the primary tunnel package on STC’s behalf during the construction phase.

STC’s core functions

The core statutory functions comprise the following:

• Own, operate and maintain the NEL for a concession period of 50 years.
• Levy and collect tolls for use of the NEL tollway.
• Procure, deliver and operate the NEL’s tolling collection capability.
• Oversee delivery of the NEL, including PPP contracts, during the construction phase of the primary tunnel package.
• Manage the PPP with Spark North East Link Pty Ltd jointly with the State for a period of 25 years after the road opens.

Overview of STC’s operating environment

STC is a corporation established under the North East Link Act 2020 . It is part of the transport portfolio with specific accountabilities to the Victorian Government. While STC is separate to the Department of Transport and Planning, it cooperates with peer transport agencies to ensure an integrated and sustainable transport system.

Responsible Ministers

STC is accountable to the following Ministers.

The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Transport Infrastructure

Ms Jaclyn Symes MP
Treasurer

The Minister for Transport Infrastructure is responsible for STC during the delivery phase of the North East Link and is one of two shareholders who hold the shareholding of STC on behalf of the Crown. The Treasurer is the other shareholder minister and is responsible for the financial performance of STC.

Board of Directors

STC’s Board of Directors holds ultimate accountability for the governance and performance of STC. This includes corporate governance and risk, financial performance, appointment of the CEO and overseeing compliance with contractual obligations. The Board is also supported by two sub-committees; the Audit and Risk and People Committees.

Chair, Brad Vann, Appointed 15 August 2022

Mr Vann is an industry leading adviser on the delivery and long-term management of infrastructure, having worked with governments and businesses on some of Australia’s largest and most complex projects for over 35 years. Mr Vann has also been involved in a range of projects in the Asia-Pacific. He was the inaugural Chair of the IFM Australian Infrastructure Fund Investor Advisory Committee. IFM is a leader in infrastructure investing on behalf of institutional investors globally, managing $124 billion in infrastructure. Mr Vann was a partner at Clayton Utz before retiring in 2020.

Deputy Chair, Aneetha De Silva, Appointed 15 August 2022

Ms de Silva is a senior executive with 25 years of infrastructure experience across the government and private sectors in Australia, South Africa and the Asia Pacific. She has expertise as an advisor, developer and manager of large infrastructure assets and services, especially in road and rail transport, telecommunications and property. Ms de Silva is also currently a member of the boards of LaunchVic and MAP Co, and Chair of Roads Australia. She has extensive experience in complex commercial and stakeholder environments.

Director, Leilani Few, Appointed 15 August 2022

Ms Frew has over 30 years of commercial and financial experience in the infrastructure, energy and utilities sectors, with 20 years of experience in governance of major infrastructure investments. In 2015, Ms Frew was a member of the inaugural Board of the Sydney Motorway Corporation, the New South Wales Government owned corporation responsible for managing the WestConnex toll road in Sydney and was Chair of the WestConnex sale in 2017. Ms Frew’s senior executive roles, in both the public and private sectors, have covered all aspects of operational and major projects, particularly finance, capital markets, strategy, risk, mergers and acquisitions. Ms Frew was appointed as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the STC Board on 23 March 2023 and is currently the Deputy Secretary, Financial and Commercial, Te Tai Ohanga - The Treasury, New Zealand

Audit and Risk Committee. Janice Morris, Independent Member, Appointed October 2024

Ms Morris has more than 20 years of global infrastructure and investment management experience. She is a non-executive director of Aboriginal Housing Victoria and chair of the finance, audit and risk committee. Ms Morris has also previously held roles as an independent investment committee member of Aboriginal Investment NT, board director for Brisbane Airport and public, private partnerships and advisory board member of Cassinia Environmental. Ms Morris is currently the Portfolio Manager (Infrastructure) at Hostplus and has held senior roles across investment management and advisory

Chief Executive Officer

The CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of STC.

Ms Nguyen is an experienced infrastructure leader, with close to two decades of broad expertise in strategic leadership and innovation, major project structuring and delivery, complex commercial and funding models, and a strong policy focus gained within the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF). She has been widely recognised for her contribution and achievement within the global infrastructure industry and Victorian public service: she was awarded the Infrastructure Partnerships Australia’s National Woman in Infrastructure in 2017, the Partnerships Bulletin’s Individual Contribution of the Year PPP Award 2018 and the prestigious Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours List 2021 for outstanding public service in infrastructure delivery.

Organisational Structure

STC’s organisational structure supports its core functions. As at 30 June 2025, STC’s divisional structure comprises the office of the CEO and five functional areas.

• Tolling Systems and Operations
• Finance and Corporate Services
• Commercial and Legal
• People and Organisational Development
• Strategy and Planning
• Office of the CEO

Corporate Plan

STC is required to submit a Corporate Plan to its shareholders annually. The Plan forms the basis for all STC’s activities and gives effect to STC’s vision, purpose and values.

STC’s Corporate Plan outlines STC’s strategic priorities and focus areas over the planning period, and is reviewed annually to reflect changes in STC’s operating environment.

Contractual Structure

To exercise its core functions, STC has entered a series of contractual arrangements for the primary tunnel package. This includes a PPP shared with the State and agreements with our delivery partners. The following summarises these arrangements.

Legislative environment

North East Link Act 2020

The NEL Act covers a range of matters related to the delivery and operation of the North East Link. Key features relevant to STC include:

• Establishing STC as a public entity that is separate from the State.
• Providing STC’s functions and powers to:
  • Manage access as well as operate and maintain the North East Link toll road;
  • Fix and collect tolls for the use of the North East Link toll road (in accordance with the NEL Act and the North East Link Tolling Agreement);
  • Optimise the value of, or return from, its infrastructure and other assets;
  • Procure, deliver, and operate the North East Link tolling system;
  • Be the primary funding entity for the delivery, operation, and maintenance of the North East Link toll road;
  • Engage in activities in relation to the delivery of the North East Link; and
  • Engage in other activities connected with the North East Link toll road, and charge fees for those activities.
• Providing requirements for STC’s Board of Directors, appointment of a CEO and employment of key personnel.
• Providing STC’s initial equity capital.
• Providing for the tabling and amendment of the North East Link Tolling Agreement.

Transport Integration Act 2010

The Transport Integration Act 2010 (TIA) is the overarching transport legislation in Victoria and sets a vision for an integrated and sustainable transport system that contributes to an inclusive, prosperous and environmentally responsible State. To achieve this vision, the TIA requires that decisions affecting the transport system be made within the same integrated decision making framework, consisting of six transport system objectives and seven decision-making principles.

Road Management Act 2004

The Road Management Act 2004 (RMA) establishes a coordinated management system for public roads, promoting safe and efficient State and local road networks and responsible road use. Before the road opens, STC will be designated as the Responsible (Prescribed) Road Authority under the RMA for the NEL with powers, rights and obligations as specified under the RMA.

Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 and Environment Effects Act 1978

The Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 (MTPFA) provides a single process for assessment, approvals, and delivery of major transport projects in Victoria. However, the NEL is declared under the MTPFA for use of delivery powers only.

Planning approvals for the delivery of the North East Link were obtained through an Environment Effects Statement Process under the Environment Effects Act 1978. The approvals are conditional on compliance with environmental performance requirements (EPRs) as part of the review process.

Other legislative reporting and governance requirements

In addition, as a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) and, in particular a Public Non-Financial Corporation (PNFC), STC is subject to various legislative instruments which form the basis of activities required to be carried out by STC, including the:

• Public Administration Act 2004 (PAA) – establishes the general governance framework for the VPS, including public entities. As a “public entity” for the purposes of the PAA, STC and its Board of Directors are subject to various duties under Part 5 of the PAA;
• Financial Management Act 1994 (FMA) – establishes the financial accountability framework for STC. As a “public body” for the purposes of the FMA, STC is bound by directions of the Minister for Finance given under the FMA (Standing Directions 2018); and
• Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987 (BIP Act) – provides for the borrowing and investment powers of certain statutory bodies. By virtue of amendments effected to the BIP Act by the NEL Act, certain borrowing and investment powers under the BIP Act are conferred on STC