The trial of Borce Ristevski who is charged with the murder of his wife Karen is set to begin in March and feature about 60 witnesses.

Mr Ristevski, 54, appeared via video link before the Supreme Court on Friday, having previously pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife of 27 years.

Prosecutors allege Mr Ristevski murdered his wife on the morning of June 29, 2016 in their Avondale Heights home and then drove her body in her black Mercedes-Benz to Mount Macedon Regional Park, where her remains were found eight months after her disappearance.

The cause of Ms Ristevski's death was not determined.

Friday's directions hearing was told Mr Ristevski's trial was due to start on March 12 and run for five weeks.

Chief crown prosecutor Brendan Kissane, QC, said 120 people were on a list of potential witnesses, but that number would be reduced to about 60.

Defence counsel David Hallowes, SC, agreed with the prosecutor's estimate on the trial duration, and told Justice Christopher Beale five weeks was realistic.